{"id":2815,"date":"2025-09-17T04:18:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T04:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.globaltalenthq.com\/?p=2815"},"modified":"2025-09-22T18:44:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T18:44:10","slug":"central-asian-state-cracks-down-on-bride-kidnapping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.globaltalenthq.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/17\/central-asian-state-cracks-down-on-bride-kidnapping\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Asian state cracks down on \u2018bride kidnapping\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kazakhstan has introduced new law punishing forced marriage with up to ten years in prison even if victims are later released<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kazakhstan has passed a new law criminalizing forced marriage and closing legal loopholes that previously allowed perpetrators of bride kidnapping to avoid punishment.<\/p>\n

Bride kidnapping – the abduction of a woman or girl with the intent to force her into marriage – remains a longstanding problem in parts of the country.<\/p>\n

Under the new legislation, offenders will face up to ten years in prison, even if they release their victims voluntarily, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. “Now this possibility is excluded: even with the voluntary release of the victim, the guilty person will be brought to justice,”<\/em> according to the ministry.<\/p>\n

The move follows years of criticism from human rights groups and officials, who say the practice often results in physical and psychological harm, including unlawful detention, sexual violence and, in some cases, suicide. The Ombudsman’s office had previously warned that many victims were unable to report the crime, while some perpetrators did not realize their actions were illegal.<\/p>\n

\n Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n \"FILE
Ex-Soviet state sees drop in marriages after cousin ban<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The law also introduces a new provision into Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, specifically targeting forced marriage. It allows for prison terms of five to ten years in cases that result in serious consequences. Harsher penalties apply if the offence involves violence, minors, abuse of power or group participation, according to law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n

The proposal to outlaw bride kidnapping was first introduced in 2023. At the time, officials said legal ambiguity and social stigma discouraged victims from coming forward.<\/p>\n

Several neighboring Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, have already criminalized the practice.<\/p>\n

The legislation is part of a wider legal reform package signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in July 2025. The reforms also cover related offenses such as stalking, coercion, and harassment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kazakhstan has introduced new law punishing forced marriage with up to ten years in prison even if victims are later released Kazakhstan has passed a new law criminalizing forced marriage and closing legal loopholes that previously allowed perpetrators of bride kidnapping to avoid punishment. Bride kidnapping – the abduction of a…<\/p>\n

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