The Kazakh government is also on the verge of banning face masks

The Senate of Kazakhstan is considering a draft law that directly affects citizens' religious freedom. According to it, it is possible to ban full-face clothing, including women's face veils, in public places.

The fact is that the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan" was adopted by the Majlis of Kazakhstan on May 28. It has now been sent to the Senate and is expected to be considered in the coming days.

In this, Kazakhstan is also following the example of its neighbors: in Kyrgyzstan, the ban on the face mask has been in effect since February 2024, with a fine of about $230. In Uzbekistan, it has been in effect since 2023, with fines of around $250-380. Tajikistan has already declared the face mask "contrary to its national values."

Critics say the law has nothing to do with "security measures" but is a human rights violation. For many Muslim women, wearing the niqab is a personal expression of faith and belief. The ban restricts their ability to practice their religion in public.