Kazakhstan’s Religious Policy: Securitisation and Defiance of International Criticism

Abstract

This article examines Kazakhstan’s securitisation of religion and its implications for religious freedom, using securitisation theory as an analytical framework. It explores how the Kazakh government frames religious issues as existential threats to national stability, thereby justifying restrictive policies that impact religious freedom. The research argues that international criticism of these policies, often characterised by ‘name and shame’ approach, has been largely ineffective. This ineffectiveness stems from the government’s perception of such criticism as biased and its failure to account for the region’s complex geopolitical and security dynamics. By situating Kazakhstan’s policies within broader debates on security and governance in Central Asia, the study provides insights into the intersection of domestic policy, international relations and human rights in a geopolitically sensitive region.