Kazakhstan Reduces Torture but Faces Persistent Prison Abuse Challenges
Kazakhstan has made strides in reducing torture and improving prison conditions, according to the latest reports. The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) carried out 425 visits in 2025, uncovering over 3,000 violations and issuing recommendations for reform. Yet challenges remain, with ongoing reports of cruel treatment and resistance from some prison staff.
The findings come as the country marks progress in human rights oversight, including successful reviews under international agreements and plans for expanded surveillance in detention facilities.
In 2025, the NPM documented significant issues across Kazakhstan’s penal system. While some facilities under the Committee for the Criminal Executive System (CSES) showed improvement, inspectors still faced obstruction from staff. Cases of cruel treatment persisted, highlighting gaps in enforcement.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Abai Kairbekov outlined practical reforms, including wider CCTV coverage in cells and communal areas. However, NGOs report uneven implementation, with some prisons lacking full camera coverage or clear policies on usage. Deputy Justice Minister Botagoz Zaxsenekova noted that Kazakhstan recently defended its human rights record in international reviews, including the Universal Periodic Review and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Courts also play a role in prisoner welfare, with around 10,000 parole petitions reviewed annually. Nazgul Rakhmetullina, Chair of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court, reported that 54% of these requests were approved. Meanwhile, conditions in social welfare and educational institutions remain poor, with dilapidated buildings, staff shortages, and weak oversight.
The UN’s Suhrob Khodjimato acknowledged progress in torture prevention but stressed the need for stronger institutional support for the NPM. Human Rights Commissioner Arthur Lastayev echoed this, pointing to reductions in torture cases but warning that systemic challenges remain.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 77 years ago, underscores that rights must extend to all, including those in detention. Yet in practice, Kazakhstan’s reforms still face hurdles in ensuring consistent protection for inmates and vulnerable groups.
Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve prison oversight have led to measurable progress, including fewer torture cases and greater transparency in some areas. However, the persistence of cruel treatment, uneven reforms, and poor conditions in welfare institutions show that further work is needed.
The government’s plans to expand surveillance and strengthen monitoring must be fully implemented to address ongoing gaps. International and domestic observers continue to call for stronger enforcement of human rights standards across all detention facilities.
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