{"id":142505,"date":"2024-12-11T20:40:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T19:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=142505"},"modified":"2024-12-11T20:59:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T19:59:58","slug":"kazakhstan-seeks-to-criminalize-bride-kidnapping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/kazakhstan-seeks-to-criminalize-bride-kidnapping\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan seeks to criminalize ‘bride kidnapping’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Astana, Dec 11 (EFE).- Kazakhstan<\/strong>, the largest country in Central Asia, is moving toward criminalizing the tradition of ‘bride kidnapping,’<\/strong> a practice that continues to persist in some regions. Ombudsman Artur Lastaev<\/strong> emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue in an interview with EFE<\/strong>, revealing ongoing efforts to amend the Criminal Code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Legislative Efforts to End Bride Kidnapping<\/h3>\n

Since July 2023<\/strong>, Lastaev\u2019s office has been working with experts and lawyers<\/strong> to push forward legislation aimed at criminalizing bride kidnapping<\/strong>. Under current laws, perpetrators can avoid criminal liability<\/strong> if the kidnapped individual is released unharmed.<\/p>\n

Lastaev highlighted the complexities of addressing this practice, which remains relatively common in parts of Asia and the Caucasus<\/strong>. In some cases, the act is tacitly approved by the victims themselves, further complicating efforts to eradicate it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn some cases of bride kidnapping, there is no criminal intent, and the goal is to start a family. If a girl willingly elopes with a boy, the benefit for the groom is not having to pay a dowry to the bride\u2019s parents,\u201d Lastaev explained.<\/p>\n

However, he emphasized that when the kidnapped woman is forced into marriage<\/strong> against her will or becomes a victim of sexual violence<\/strong>, perpetrators must face criminal punishment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Ombudsman
Ombudsman Artur Lastaev stated in an interview with EFE that Kazakhstan needs to criminalize the tradition of ‘bride kidnapping.’\u00a0 EFE\/Ombudsman’s Office \u2013 EDITORIAL USE ONLY\/ONLY AVAILABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT) \u2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rising Awareness and Political Momentum<\/h3>\n

Lawmaker Murat Abenov<\/strong> reported that during the first eight months of this year alone, 18 cases of bride kidnapping<\/strong> were documented in just one region of Kazakhstan. Abenov called for not only amending the Criminal Code<\/strong> but also raising public awareness<\/strong> about the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a modern society living in the 21st century. Women cannot be stolen, their rights trampled on. We must put an end to this. I believe we need to amend the Criminal Code and toughen penalties for these crimes,\u201d Abenov insisted.<\/p>\n

The push to criminalize bride kidnapping gained momentum after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev<\/strong> publicly denounced the practice in March. \u201cA glaring anachronism such as the abduction of women cannot be justified. It goes against the ideals of a progressive society where dignity, rights, and freedoms are absolute values,\u201d the president stated.<\/p>\n

Recent Progress in Protecting Women\u2019s Rights<\/h3>\n

Kazakhstan has recently taken significant steps to protect women\u2019s rights<\/strong>. In April<\/strong>, the country passed its first law specifically aimed at combating domestic violence<\/strong>, known as the \u201cSaltanat Law.\u201d<\/strong> The legislation was enacted following a high-profile trial<\/strong> involving a former minister who murdered his wife, a case that drew widespread public attention.<\/p>\n

The European Union\u2019s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleska Simkic<\/strong>, praised the country\u2019s progress in human rights protections<\/strong>. However, she noted that certain issues remain \u201cpending\u201d and reaffirmed the EU\u2019s readiness to collaborate with Kazakhstan to resolve them. EFE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Astana, Dec 11 (EFE).- Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, is moving toward criminalizing the tradition of ‘bride kidnapping,’ a practice that continues to persist in some regions. Ombudsman […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":198164071,"featured_media":142506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[123781,123785],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-society","category-trends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKazakhstan seeks to criminalize 'bride kidnapping' - EFE Comunica<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kazakhstan moves to criminalize 'bride kidnapping,' a practice denounced by President Tokayev as a glaring anachronism. 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