Kazakh MoD makes no distinction for gay or religious conscripts

On June 17, on the sidelines of a parliamentary session, journalists asked Kazakhstan’s Deputy Defense Minister Askar Mustabekov whether sexual orientation or religious beliefs could serve as grounds for exemption from compulsory military service.

Mustabekov said Kazakhstan’s laws do not provide deferments or exemptions from conscription on either basis.

According to him, Kazakh law does not prohibit people of any sexual orientation from serving in the military. He also said no service members identifying as sexual minorities have been recorded in the Kazakh armed forces.

Mustabekov also said conscripts cannot refuse military service on religious grounds because no such provision exists under current legislation.

«We do not have any legal provisions allowing individuals to refuse military service based on religious beliefs. If such provisions existed, anyone could simply say, ‘I have a religious belief and cannot serve,'» the deputy minister said.