Kazakhstan is preparing a large-scale criminal and administrative amnesty, which could affect more than 15,000 people. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported that it will cover citizens who have committed minor crimes, as well as crimes of medium gravity, provided that the damage is fully compensated.
WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CRIMINAL AMNESTY
According to MIA data, the criminal amnesty will apply to persons who have committed criminal offences and crimes of minor gravity. The law may also cover those convicted of crimes of medium gravity, if there is no damage or it has been fully compensated.
At the same time, the authorities specifically emphasise that the amnesty will not affect corrupt individuals, terrorists, extremists, members of organised criminal groups, repeat offenders, or persons convicted of serious crimes against the person and sexual integrity.
The MIA notes that the criminal amnesty measures could affect more than 15,000 people, including around 1,500 convicts held in correctional facilities.
WHY THE AUTHORITIES ARE CHANGING THEIR APPROACH TO PUNISHMENT
The MIA describes the amnesty not as a show of leniency towards crime, but as a mechanism for social adaptation. Following constitutional reforms, Kazakhstan is gradually reassessing its approach to punishment and responsibility, focusing not only on the punitive function but also on the possibility of rehabilitation.
In effect, this means that a person who has committed a less serious offence, compensated for the damage, and demonstrated a willingness to comply with the law is given a chance to return to a full social and economic life.
The authorities link this approach to the principles of humanism, justice, and respect for human dignity enshrined in the updated constitutional model.
WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AMNESTY
A separate part of the initiative will be an administrative amnesty, the first of its kind to be carried out in independent Kazakhstan.
It will cover 263 articles of the Code of Administrative Offences (CAO RK), which fall under the jurisdiction of 15 state bodies. The amnesty provides for the write-off of some unfulfilled administrative fines for offences committed before 17 March 2026.
Within the MIA’s remit, the measure could affect around 1 million fines totalling over 17 billion tenge.
The amnesty will apply not only to citizens, but also to individual entrepreneurs, notaries, lawyers, and private bailiffs.
WHAT RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE
The authorities stress that the amnesty should not compromise public safety.
The initiative will not cover offences related to the illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs, serious traffic violations including drink-driving, or repeat offences.
In this way, the state is attempting to maintain a balance between the humanisation of legislation and the principle of the inevitability of punishment for serious and socially dangerous acts.
The draft law is currently under consideration by the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.