Kazakhstan has become the latest nation to enact a new law banning the wearing of clothing that obscures a person’s face in public, with limited exceptions.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the legislation into law, making the Central Asian country the latest in the region to impose restrictions on face-covering garments, including those commonly worn by some Muslim women, such as the niqab and burqa, according to local media outlet Kursiv.media.
The newly amended law on the prevention of offences does not explicitly mention religious attire but prohibits garments that “impede facial recognition” in public places.
Exceptions are provided for specific circumstances, including legal obligations, official duties, medical needs, civil defence, extreme weather, and participation in sports or cultural events.
“Wearing items of clothing in public places that impede facial recognition is prohibited, except in cases where this is necessary to comply with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, fulfill official duties or for medical, civil defense, weather-related or event-specific purposes,” the law reportedly states.
President Tokayev has previously expressed support for traditional Kazakh clothing that reflects the nation’s cultural heritage, reportedly contrasting it with garments that conceal the face.
Kursiv.media earlier noted President Tokayev’s emphasis on reinforcing Kazakhstan’s national identity through dress.
Kazakhstan’s move follows similar measures taken by its Central Asian neighbours.
In January 2025, Kyrgyzstan passed a law banning the niqab in public spaces, citing national security concerns and the need to identify individuals in government buildings.
Following the enactment, authorities carried out enforcement raids in multiple cities.
In 2023, Uzbekistan implemented a ban on the public wearing of burqas, garments that fully cover the face and body, arguing that the measure was necessary to maintain public order, according to its Ministry of Justice.
The regional shift toward restricting face-covering garments has sparked debate over religious freedom, cultural identity, and security.
