In Kazakhstan, a new uniform may be introduced for convicts sentenced to community service – vests with the inscription "Pay back to society", reports Tengrinews.kz.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs came up with such an initiative. The corresponding amendments to the order of the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been submitted for public discussion.
According to the document, it is assumed that wearing a special vest will become mandatory for those sentenced to community service.
"The measure is aimed at improving discipline among individuals who have committed criminal offenses," the Ministry of Internal Affairs noted.
The public discussion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiative will last until June 14, 2025.
Community service instead of a fine: what will change from September 1 From September 1, 2025, a new law will come into force in Kazakhstan, according to which community service will become an alternative to administrative penalties. The law was adopted in January of this year.
Community service is assigned by the court – only with the consent of the offender. It will be performed in free time from work and study, 1-4 hours per day.
For what reasons can community service be assigned? Community service will be applied under 11 articles and 15 types of administrative offences. For example:
- pollution of public places (garbage and spit on the streets);
- petty hooliganism (obscene language in public places);
- harassment in public places;
- illegal actions in the sphere of family and domestic relations (obscene language, offensive harassment, humiliation, damage to household items);
- deliberately false call to emergency services;
- drinking alcoholic beverages or appearing in public places in a state of intoxication.
In addition, community service may be assigned for certain traffic violations:
- for drivers who fail to yield to an ambulance, fire engine or police (failure to give priority to a vehicle of emergency and special services);
- Violation of traffic rules by pedestrians and other road users (Article 615 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).