Ombudsman: Case of bride kidnapping in Shymkent taken under control

Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan: The case of bride kidnapping in Shymkent is under control

In mid-January in Shymkent, a 22-year-old man, a native of Mangistau region, kidnapped a girl in order to marry her. The kidnapping took place in the morning in the middle of the street, and the victim and the kidnapper did not know each other.

The suspect was detained, a measure of restraint in the form of detention for two months was chosen, and investigative measures are underway.

The current criminal legislation provides for criminal liability for kidnapping in the form of deprivation of liberty for a term of seven to twelve years with or without confiscation of property.

The representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the city of Shymkent also joined the work on the case of the abduction of the girl, this case is under his control.

"The Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman analyses the problem of domestic violence and violations of women's rights. Girls who enter into forced marriages often become victims of sexual, physical and psychological violence on the part of their partners. Violent marriages sometimes deprive girls of the opportunity to obtain an education and a profession, which further worsens their already vulnerable situation. The case in Shymkent is egregious, and we have taken it under control," said Artur Lastaev, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Last year, the Ombudsman initiated a number of amendments to the criminal legislation, in particular, the introduction of a separate article and the deletion of the note to Article 125 of the Criminal Code, providing for exemption from criminal liability in case of voluntary release of the victim.