Tengrinews.kz — Is it true that members of the LGBT community are not drafted into the Kazakh military? This question was posed to Deputy Minister of Defense Askar Mustabekov.
"We have received reports that if a conscript claims to have a non-traditional orientation, he is not drafted. How accurate is this?" a journalist asked Mustabekov on the sidelines of the Mazhilis.
The Deputy Minister of Defense responded that no such provision exists under the country's laws.
"No, there is no such provision in our law. Firstly, there have been no such cases yet. Secondly, regarding gender policy and LGBT issues, I believe there is a legal ban in the state," said Askar Mustabekov.
The same applies to Kazakh citizens attempting to avoid conscription on religious grounds.
"According to the law, there are no grounds for a refusal to serve based on religion. If such provisions existed, anyone could come forward and say, 'I am of a religious persuasion and cannot serve,' and thus evade service," the Deputy Minister stated.
As a reminder: starting this year, Kazakhstan has introduced a legislative ban on LGBT propaganda and positive coverage of this topic. At the same time, the ban on LGBT propaganda does not imply a ban on orientation itself, as previously clarified by the Ministry of Justice.
