Government institutions' credibility and law enforcement capabilities under scrutiny, as concerns extend beyond just pet ownership regulations.
In the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is taking significant strides towards promoting animal welfare and implementing humane policies.
The Administration of the President of Kazakhstan has been the only state structure to respond to proposals regarding the law, with the adoption of the "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" law in 2019. This law, considered one of the strongest in its philosophy, forms part of a new course towards a Just State. However, three years after its adoption, there is no real implementation of the norms of the law.
Recent efforts have been made to address this issue. A separate module in state procurement for media products is proposed to be introduced, aiming to promote humane themes in state-ordered content. Moreover, the state is considering adopting an interdepartmental concept for an information campaign on the humanization of animal treatment.
A critical step towards enforcing the law and implementing humane policies is the creation of public controllers and a curatorship institution. These entities will be certified to ensure accountability and monitor the enforcement of the law.
Unfortunately, the media landscape in Kazakhstan is concerning, as it amplifies fears and focuses on incidents rather than the root problem. This has led to a lack of understanding and public support for humane policies. To address this, the KPI of akimats (local government bodies) may change, focusing on reducing complaints and increasing public understanding instead of the number of captures.
Civil society representatives have formulated specific proposals to enforce the law and implement humane policies. One such proposal is the creation of a full-fledged One-Stop Veterinary Clinic (OVC) infrastructure. However, almost nowhere has this infrastructure been created yet.
The international roundtable "Almaty Initiative: Sustainable Development Goals and Current Issues of Animal Protection Policy" was held in Almaty, organized by the Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan with the support of the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan and international partners. The 2021 meeting, organized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), aimed to discuss the current issues in animal welfare policy and the implementation of sustainable development goals.
Despite these efforts, there is no monitoring or accountability for sabotage or inaction regarding the law. The quote, "As long as humanism remains on the periphery, and topics of life, compassion, and justice remain 'inconvenient', we will continue to go in circles of fear, aggression, and reports with no consequences," highlights the urgency for change.
The ban on visiting sacred places is not a display of legislative power, but a recognition of its helplessness, as shown by the statement, "Kazakhstan knows where the rakes are. We show others where not to step." However, whoever that official was who ordered the forced eviction was greatly mistaken.
There is a chance for Kazakhstan to turn humanity from a beautiful slogan into concrete policy. The quote, "But we have a chance. A chance to turn humanity from a beautiful slogan into concrete policy. And we can do this if we truly choose maturity," encapsulates the hope for a brighter future in animal welfare and humane policies in Kazakhstan.
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