Kazakhstan will not adopt foreign agent law, political scientist says

Islam Kurayev, a Kazakhstani political scientist specializing in the Middle East, commented on MP Irina Smirnova‘s recent proposal for Kazakhstan to adopt a controversial foreign agent law. He is confident that this «anti-national law» will not make its way to parliament due to its irritating perception among Kazakhstan’s society.

Kurayev suggests that the authorities have nothing to do with this initiative.   

«As a rule, if the government is interested in pushing a topic, officials test the waters first, then move the initiative through the ministries and finally take it to parliament. This case is not an ordinary one,» he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Kurayev also expresses doubts about the initiative «coming from the Kremlin.» In that case, propaganda activities and widespread information campaigns would be unleashed, just as they were in Georgia, where the foreign agent law was adopted.

«They use all their media power and resources to promote their agenda long before rolling out any specific initiative to the public, as these initiatives are usually neither popular nor democratic. Thus, this seems more like a personal initiative by Smirnova,» he said.

According to Kurayev, Kazakhstan does not need a separate foreign agent law, since regulations on foreign funding are already part of various legislative acts.

«This means that these barriers already exist, eliminating the need to formalize them into a single law or use any labels, as everyone is already aware of the situation. This anti-national law will not be adopted, especially given the current social tensions and restructuring within the public sector,» he summarized.

On Feb. 12, Smirnova stated that it is high time to «revise the rules of the game» with foreign donors, who, she claims, often disguise their interests under the pretense of promoting free media and protecting human rights. She believes that Kazakhstan must make a law obligating mass media to label its content and sources.

Notably, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance has already been compiling a list of entities receiving funds from foreign states and organizations. The registry is expected to be updated by March 20.