Astana, February 21, House of the Mazhilis. Today, at the plenary session, the deputies of the Mazhilis approved in the first reading legislative amendments on ensuring women's rights and child safety, as well as on access to information and public participation. In addition, we have ratified two agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

Amendments on ensuring the rights of women and the safety of children with a related project were developed by deputies of the Mazhilis in the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State, voiced in the Message to the People of Kazakhstan. Their standards were introduced to colleagues by the head of the working group, Zhuldyz Suleimenova. She said that the main bill covers five areas. The first is the prevention of violence and other cruel or degrading treatment. To do this, criminal liability for a number of offenses is being restored.

– For intentional infliction of minor harm to health, punishment is provided in the form of a fine of up to 200 MCI, or community service for up to 200 hours, or arrest for up to 50 days. Beatings or other violent acts that caused physical pain, but did not cause minor harm to health, are punishable by a fine of up to 80 MCI, or correctional labor in the same amount, or community service for up to 80 hours, or arrest for up to 25 days," Zhuldyz Suleimenova informed.

Secondly, in order to prevent suicide, two new articles are being introduced into the Criminal Code. It is proposed to impose a penalty of imprisonment for a period of 5 to 9 years for incitement to suicide, and a fine of 200 MCI for propaganda of suicide. Administrative liability is also being introduced for bullying and cyberbullying of a minor with a fine of 10 MCI.

– In addition, to ensure the safety and protection of children, a set of measures is provided related to the organization of the work of mobile groups for the early identification of families in difficult situations. In order to protect the rights of children raised in boarding schools, State control in socially significant facilities will be carried out without prior notice. Mandatory licensing of organizations providing special social services, as well as educational and wellness services for children is also proposed," Zhuldyz Suleimenova said.

The amendments also propose to consolidate the principles of marriage and family legislation based on the protection, preservation, strengthening and promotion of traditional family values

During the discussion of the amendments, Deputy Sergei Ponomarev said that the public is concerned that the draft laws allegedly include norms on juvenile justice and the removal of children from families. He asked the speaker and the responsible government agencies to confirm or deny the information. Zhuldyz Suleimenova replied that there are no such norms in the draft law, and they were not considered. As Vice Minister of Education Edil Ospan added, such information disseminated on social networks is unreliable. In matters of upbringing, education and child safety, the State always gives priority to parents over other persons and institutions.

Following the debate, the deputies decided to approve the bills in the first reading. Their discussion and improvement of standards will continue at the meetings of the working group.

Amendments on access to information and public participation also passed the first reading. Vice Minister of Culture and Information Daniyar Kadyrov said that in order to bring legislation into line with international standards of openness, it is proposed to define all information of state bodies, with the exception of state secrets, as open.

– According to the bill, government agencies will have the right to restrict access to information only for a certain period and only to a part of the document. It is proposed to oblige them to bring the required official information to the public without the request of citizens and outside the established unified list. And also to strengthen the responsibility of organizations and institutions of the public sector and introduce state control in the field of access to information, giving the Ministry of Culture and Information the appropriate competence, – said Daniyar Kadyrov.

At the same time, the control is planned to be carried out in a preventive format once a quarter without visiting the subject of control. If violations are detected, recommendations for their elimination will be sent, and if recommendations are not followed or a complaint is received, an unscheduled inspection will be appointed.

In addition, the bill obliges information holders – government agencies and quasi–public sector entities - to ensure equal access to information for persons with disabilities. The norms will be enshrined in the law "On Access to Information" in the form of separate principles and articles.

The Majilis has also ratified two intergovernmental agreements: with Kyrgyzstan on cooperation in the field of aviation search and rescue and with Turkey on international combined cargo transportation. The documents were presented to the deputies by the Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev.

The agreement between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was signed on May 26, 2022 in Bishkek. Its purpose is cooperation between the search and rescue services of the republics for the search and rescue of passengers and crews, as well as aircraft in distress. Operations will be conducted in accordance with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The second agreement, according to Marat Karabayev, is aimed at developing trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkey. It will increase the volume of cargo transportation carried out between the two countries by road, rail and water transport. The parties signed the document on May 10, 2022 in Ankara.

In addition, today the Mazhilis Committee on Legislation and Judicial and Legal Reform has adopted two new bills: on bringing some legislative acts into line with the norms of the Constitution and on amendments and additions to the Law "On Law Enforcement Service".

At the end of the plenary session, the Mazhilismen sent 15 deputy requests to the responsible state bodies on topical social and economic topics. All of them are available on the official website and Telegram channel of the Mazhilis.

The press service of the Mazhilis - 24-38-22. Photo by J. Zhumabekova, T. Tanybaeva