In Kazakhstan, a plethora of stark social issues are screaming for attention. From domestic violence to the lack of jobs in mono-towns and specific regions, to teenage crime and drug addiction, the list is extensive.
Yet, based on the speeches of deputies and their legislative discussions, one might get the impression that the country has no graver issues than vapes, electric scooters, or card players.
300 Domestic Tyranny Reports Every Day
On November 20, the General Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, released absolutely shocking statistics: on average, the police receive 300 reports of domestic violence every single day. That’s 300 women, reaching out to the police every day. Those are victims of abusive husbands, which husbands often harm children too,. And how many more remain silent, afraid to dial ‘102’ or file a report?
In just ten months this year, 50,000 (!) domestic tyrants have been held administratively accountable. More than 700 individuals have been criminally convicted. These are harrowing numbers, and remember, they only represent the cases that make it to court. Sociologists believe the actual scale of the problem could be 15-20 times greater, as many women either fear approaching the police or their pleas are ignored.
The Prosecutor’s Office recounted a harrowing tale from Kostanay Region: a woman who had called the police 49 times for help, before her husband murdered her. Legal experts note that in such cases, the issue lies not just in police inaction but also in the “toothless” nature of laws that urgently need revamping. For instance, why are there criminal statutes for causing moderate to severe harm to a stranger, but similar actions within one’s family (domestic violence) can result in mere administrative penalties?
An immense task for legislators: urgent and loud. The problem is glaring, demanding immediate legislative attention. Yet, instead of addressing these pressing issues, our parliamentarians are preoccupied with seemingly less critical matters. For example, there has been ongoing debate for months about whether to require driver’s licenses for electric scooter riders. An age restriction has already been implemented, which seems rather comical. Many wonder: what physically differentiates an electric scooter from a conventional bicycle, apart from its electric motor? Their speed and size are comparable. If that’s the case, why not demand driver’s licenses from bicyclists too? Should we restrict them to over 18 and take bikes away from children? It appears there’s nothing more serious for the people in parliament to address.
«Crystals», «Speed», «Meth»: A Dying Generation?»
The scale of drug addiction is becoming frightening. Synthetic drugs, commonly known as ‘salts’ and affordable to any teenager, have seen widespread use among school and university students, and not only them. As the director of a large rehab center, treating anonymous patients with severe drug dependency, shared in an interview, his clients include successful managers, law enforcement officers, and civil servants. Synthetics cause intense addiction from the first use, and a person can consume them for years, appearing normal and leading a regular life. Others might not even realize they are living alongside an addict. However, these individuals have a very short life expectancy – a maximum of 3-5 years. Over time, dependency leads to increased consumption and mental disorders, typically ending in cardiac arrest: synthetic drugs provoke constant tachycardia and arrhythmia, overwhelming even a young body.
Shouldn’t lawmakers be considering radical solutions to these problems? For instance, learning from the experience of countries like China and the Philippines, which, though through harsh and extreme punitive measures, managed to dismantle the drug dealer industry. In Kazakhstan, however, due to relatively lenient laws and corruption in the law enforcement system, the networks of this industry continue to grow.
Yet, instead of addressing the deadly issue of synthetic drugs, the parliament has been heatedly discussing vapes for the past two years. In all seriousness, there’s a proposal to ban them, citing the mass appeal of vaping devices among teenagers. However, vapes were not initially designed for minors. They were developed for adult smokers as a lower-risk product – medical experts have proven that it is the tobacco smoke, containing hundreds of poisons causing cancer and other diseases, that is harmful. Vaporizers, which allow the inhalation of nicotine without smoke, are considered a lower-risk product globally. No wonder developed countries actively promote vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking. For example, in the United Kingdom, thanks to such policies, less than 10% of adults now smoke, compared to about half in 2010. Against this backdrop, Kazakhstani legislators have proposed nothing better than a complete ban on vapes. Do they believe it’s better for people to continue poisoning themselves with cigarettes?
Like tobacco and alcohol, vapes are adult-only products. Remember, 10-15 years ago, Kazakhstani «schoolchildren» indulged in regular tobacco just as they do today with disposable vapes, yet nobody thought to ban cigarettes. Nor did they consider prohibiting alcohol to prevent its consumption by teenagers. The issue here is purely about effective regulation: creating a legal framework that makes it impossible for a teenager to access a vape, a pack of cigarettes, or a bottle of beer under any circumstances. This is a matter of legislation and its enforcement, a question of controlling sales points – a task that should be addressed professionally and judiciously at the state level. Populism is unacceptable in such matters.
Zhanaozen, Temirtau, Shakhtinsk: Unemployment and Mine Explosions
Unemployment and the lack of social mobility for youth remain acute problems, particularly in mono-towns like the infamous Zhanaozen. Despite numerous efforts to alleviate social tension there, significant results are yet to be seen. Adding to the complex issue of how to encourage employers in major industries (such as oil in Zhanaozen or mining in Shakhtinsk and Temirtau) to create more jobs is the concern for industrial safety. The recent tragedy in Temirtau, which claimed the lives of 46 miners and ultimately led to the severance of relations between the Kazakhstani government and Indian magnate Mittal, underscores the need for stricter and more systematic legislation on occupational safety. Such laws should eliminate loopholes and prevent negligent investors like Mittal from disregarding human lives and health.
Aren’t all these issues precisely what professional legislators should be focusing on? Absolutely! Yet, instead, our parliamentary body is preoccupied with card players, lotteries, and roulettes. Ludomania is the topic of almost daily interviews by members of the Majilis, dominating TV screens and news feeds. Despite the overwhelming media attention, sociological data indicates that the number of gamblers in Kazakhstan is significantly lower than in many developed countries. Are infamous card players and roulette enthusiasts really a more pressing problem than thousands of women and children battered by domestic tyrants, young people dying in their 20s from synthetic drugs, or widespread unemployment in various cities and regions?
One can’t help but wonder what prevents Kazakhstani legislators from focusing on the truly important social and national issues, rather than wasting time on roulettes, scooters, and vapes.