On January 2, 2021, H.E. Mr. K.Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed the Law «On the Ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the death Penalty». This step is a clear indication of the progressive development in the field of human rights protection and the fulfillment of our country's international obligations.
In accordance with the provisions of the Protocol, Kazakhstan has made the only permissible reservation that it reserves the right to apply the death penalty in wartime after being found guilty of committing particularly serious crimes of a military nature. For our country, this reservation is of a fundamental nature.
Currently, the Republic of Kazakhstan is working to bring the national criminal legislation in line with the norms of the international Protocol. This work is expected to be completed in the first half of this year.
After that, the corresponding Instrument of Ratification of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be sent to the UN Secretary-General, and three months later the Protocol will enter into force for Kazakhstan.