Story perspectives

Kazakhstan's LGBTI Activists Face Prosecution Amid Rising Crackdowns

2/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

LGBTI rights activists Temirlan Baimash and Zhanar Sekerbayeva in Kazakhstan face prosecution under Article 109(1) for allegedly attacking anti-LGBTI activist Ziuar Zhumanova.
The case illustrates a broader trend of criminalizing LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia, per ILGA-Europe's Annual Review.
Turkey also pursues similar prosecutions, while Kazakhstan considers laws that would criminalize 'non-traditional sexual orientation'.
Activists urge urgent international attention to protect human rights defenders in the region.

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Story summary

LGBTI rights activists Temirlan Baimash and Zhanar Sekerbayeva in Kazakhstan face prosecution under Article 109(1) for allegedly attacking anti-LGBTI activist Ziuar Zhumanova.
The case illustrates a broader trend of criminalizing LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia, per ILGA-Europe's Annual Review.
Turkey also pursues similar prosecutions, while Kazakhstan considers laws that would criminalize 'non-traditional sexual orientation'.
Activists urge urgent international attention to protect human rights defenders in the region.