Female-led Colonies Unveiled
In the Republic of Kazakhstan, two women, Sabnur and Camile, have recently been granted amnesty and released from their sentences.
Sabnur, who was 18 years old when she was first detained, was found guilty under Article 190 of the Criminal Code ("Fraud"). She was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom with probation in March 2023. However, due to violations of probation conditions, her sentence was changed to a prison sentence of two years and four months. Sabnur's crimes involved presenting fake receipts and taking goods without paying, resulting in a total damage of over 56,000 tenge. Despite her wrongdoings, she will be released from the remaining nine months and nine days of her prison sentence as part of the amnesty on June 23, 2025.
Camile, a woman over forty, was sentenced to one year of restriction of liberty with probation for theft in August 2024. However, due to violations of probation conditions, her sentence was changed to imprisonment. She was released from further serving her sentence by the court's decision on June 23, 2025, having 4 months and 24 days left of her imprisonment.
The law "On Amnesty on the Occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan" came into force in June 2025. This law covers socially vulnerable categories such as minors, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, pensioners, and those convicted with minor children in their care. Amnesty does not overturn a verdict or declare the convicted innocent, but it may mitigate punishment or exempt from its execution.
The eligibility criteria for amnesty in Kazakhstan for individuals convicted of minor and medium-level crimes generally include having committed non-violent offenses, cases with no or fully compensated damages, or circumstances involving social vulnerability. This suggests that amnesty is extended to offenders who are not involved in violent crimes and who may have addressed the harm caused, or who are in socially vulnerable situations.
Kazakhstan operates 78 correctional institutions, six of which are women's colonies. One of these women's colonies, located in the village of Zhauageshy in Ili District, Almaty Region, is in need of major repairs.
Upon their release, Sabnur plans to finish her education at a medical university in Istanbul, while the future plans of Camile are not known. The total number of individuals serving sentences in colonies across Kazakhstan exceeds 30,000. The previous amnesty in Kazakhstan took place in 2021 and affected over 14,000 people.
This amnesty initiative by the Kazakhstani government underscores its commitment to humanitarian considerations and the rehabilitation of offenders, particularly those who have shown remorse for their actions and have addressed the harm caused.
- Although Sabnur was initially sentenced for fraud and served time in prison, she will be released early due to the amnesty law in Kazakhstan, granting her freedom on June 23, 2025.
- The health-and-wellness sector may benefit from Sabnur's planned pursuit of education at a medical university in Istanbul.
- The amnesty law in Kazakhstan extends to socially vulnerable categories, including women, such as Camile, who have served their sentences for non-violent crimes.
- The Kazakhstani government's amnesty initiative showcases a focus on mental health and womens' health, as well as general news and crime-and-justice issues, through its commitment to humanitarian considerations and rehabilitation of offenders.
