(Read full article on vlast.kz)

Human rights defenders and journalists of Kazakhstan in an open statement opposed the adoption of amendments to the legislation, which would limit the work of foreign Internet resources, social networks and instant messengers. The country’s civil society called the amendments repressive and aimed at introducing censorship in the country and launched a petition collecting signatures against the amendments.

In September, the Mazhilis adopted in the first reading the draft law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts on the Protection of the Rights of the Child”, which contains a number of norms that open up opportunities to restrict the work of foreign Internet platforms, social networks, and messengers on the territory of the country.

In particular, it is proposed to introduce registration of foreign Internet platforms, social networks and messengers in Kazakhstan and appoint them as leaders exclusively of Kazakhstanis, and in case of refusal to register, block or slow down the work of resources. The responsibilities of Kazakhstani heads of foreign online platforms, social networks and messengers, if registered in Kazakhstan, will include restricting users’ access to certain information or the entire resource.