As LGBTQ Pride Month is observed around the world, one of the first visible applications of Kazakhstan’s new law banning so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation” is already unfolding, raising concerns among human rights advocates about freedom of expression and access to information.
The LGBTQ rights organization reQUEST says that its website, lgbtpropaganda.kz, has been blocked in Kazakhstan under the country’s new anti-LGBTQ propaganda law. Launched in March 2026, the website was created to provide legal analysis of the new legislation, information about its implementation, international reactions, and resources related to human rights and LGBTQ issues.
While the website remains accessible outside Kazakhstan, reQUEST reported that users within the country began experiencing access problems by the end of March. Following inquiries, the Information Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information reportedly confirmed that access to the site had been restricted under the new law. However, authorities did not specify which materials on the website were deemed to violate the legislation.
The law in question, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Archival Matters and Restricting the Distribution of Illegal Content,“ was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on December 30, 2025, and entered into force on March 2, 2026.
But what exactly is restricted under this law? According to the legislation, “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation” is broadly defined as the public dissemination of information about non-traditional sexual orientation or commitment to it through the media, telecommunications networks, online platforms, or other public means, including the dissemination of deliberately distorted information aimed at shaping a positive public perception.
The website restrictions are not the first challenges faced by reQUEST. Over the past year, the organization has repeatedly attempted to register as a legal entity in Kazakhstan, submitting multiple applications to the authorities. According to the group, each application was rejected on ostensibly procedural grounds, with the reasons for rejection changing from one submission to the next. Representatives of reQUEST say they were not provided with a clear explanation of the appeals process and were denied an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised before their applications were rejected.
The dispute over the organization’s registration has now moved into the courts. A hearing before the Department of Justice concerning reQUEST’s registration case is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17. A court hearing is also due to take place in June regarding a claim against the Ministry of Information concerning the blocking of the website, as the responsible officials have not provided the website’s administrators with written grounds explaining exactly which materials contravene the new law.
Both proceedings that may provide an important indication of how Kazakhstan’s authorities intend to apply the country’s new legal restrictions on LGBTQ-related advocacy and organizations.
