Kazakhstan Approves Fines for Face-Coverings in Public

Kazakhstan's Mazhilis has approved in its second reading a draft law titled “On the Prevention of Offenses,” which introduces fines for wearing a niqab or other clothing that covers the face and prevents identification in public spaces.

The bill amends the Code of Administrative Offenses to include penalties for such violations, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

A first offense will result in a warning, while a second offense will carry a fine of $78 under current rates, rising to $86 in 2026.

A ban on face-covering garments, including both masks and niqabs, was first introduced in the summer of 2025. The new amendments formalize enforcement through administrative measures. Garments such as hijabs, sheilas, and khimars, which do not cover the face, remain permitted.

Similar measures have been adopted in other Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan.

Beyond face coverings, the bill introduces liability for posting and distributing illegal content and for failing to comply with official instructions to remedy violations. It also expands the powers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, allowing it to hold officials from state and local executive bodies accountable for not implementing civil protection measures intended to prevent natural or man-made emergencies.

Debate over banning the niqab has persisted in Kazakhstan for years. Despite public resistance from some groups, authorities have finalized the decision, citing national security and efforts to counter extremism.