Kazakhstan penalizes over 1,600 for face-covering clothing

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry has reported that more than 1,600 citizens have been penalized for wearing clothing that obscures their faces in public. The measure, implemented in July 2025, aims to enhance public safety and maintain order by ensuring individuals can be identified.

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Currently, 1,613 citizens have been held administratively liable for this offense.

The law, based on the "On Crime Prevention" act, specifically targets attire that prevents facial recognition. This includes a ban on face coverings in public spaces, though exceptions are made for specific circumstances. These include situations dictated by weather conditions, necessary medical reasons, the performance of official duties, or participation in organized sporting, cultural, and public events.

Authorities have emphasized that the legislation is not designed to infringe upon religious freedoms. The primary objective is to allow for quick identification of individuals when necessary, a capability crucial for surveillance cameras and general law enforcement.

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The purpose of the amendments was straightforward: to ensure safety and public order and allow a person to be quickly identified when necessary, including through surveillance cameras.

Violators face administrative penalties. A first offense typically results in a warning. However, a repeat violation within a year incurs a fine equivalent to 10 monthly calculation indices, which amounts to 43,250 tenge. The ministry confirmed that 1,613 citizens have already been held administratively liable under this regulation.

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The measure is not intended to restrict the right to freedom of religion.