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Kazakhstan: Situation of homosexuals, including treatment by authorities and by the general public, and state protection, particularly in Almaty (Alma-Ata) (1998-January 1999)

Information on homosexuality in Kazakhstan is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In November 1997 it was reported that under a new Criminal Code, same-sex relations between consenting adults was no longer a criminal offence in Kazakhstan; the new criminal code penalizes only non-consensual homosexual relations, including those in which force is used or those involving a minor (Melbourne Star Observer 14 Nov. 1997).

An Internet Website for the Almaty (also written Alma-Ata or Alma-Aty) Gay Bistro includes information on other Almaty clubs catering to homosexual clientele, and has links to other Kazakhstan "gay pages" (Jan. 1999). A translation of the Russian text on these Websites was not available for inclusion with this Response.

The Contrast Charitable Foundation is reported to be a civil association based in Almaty that "promotes the civil rights of homosexuals and greater societal acceptance of sexual minorities" (CCSI Nov. 1998). The organization has been providing AIDS education and lobbying for changes to Kazakhstan's Criminal Code, and had plans to publish a weekly journal and hold a seminar on "Democracy and the Gay Rights Movement" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.

References

Alma-Ata Gay Bistro [Almaty]. January 1999. [Internet] <http://www.geocities.com/ WestHollywood/Heights/7559/> [Accessed 21 Jan. 1999]

Center for Civil Society International [Washington]. November 1998. "Third Sector Organizations in Central Asia: Contrast Charitable Foundation." [Internet] <http://solar.rtd.utk.edu/~ccsi/nisorgs/kazak/contrast.htm> [Accessed 22 Jan. 1999]

Melbourne Star Observer. 14 November 1997. "Kazakhstan Legalises Gay Sex." (GayLawNet, Melbourne) [Internet] <http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~dba/ de970712.html#kazakhstan_legalises> [Accessed 21 Jan. 1999]

Additional Sources Consulted

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1997-1998.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1997-1999.

News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1997-99.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Global NewsBank, NEXIS, Internet, Refworld, WNC.

Three oral sources were unable to provide information on the subject.

Note:

             This list is not exhaustive. Country and subject-specific publications available in the Resource Centre are not included.