Kazakhstan
The security situation in Kazakhstan is not entirely stable, due to the country’s political and economic situation (there were nationwide protests in early 2022).[1] As of 2022, reports state that armed violence and human rights violations persist in the country.[2] Despite this instability, Kazakhstan has low levels of weapons and ammunition trafficking.[3] The exact levels of unexploded ordnance contamination in the country are unclear.[4]
The OSCE and ITF Enhancing Human Security have been supporting the Kazakh Ministry of Defence with the through-life management of ammunition. Efforts have mainly focused on creating capacity for disposal of surplus weapons and ammunition, as well as advising on best practices to advance safety and security in ammunition management processes.[5]
[1] “Behind the Unrest in Kazakhstan.” Crisis Group, January 14, 2022. https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/central-asia/kazakhstan/behind-unrest-kazakhstan.
[2] “World Report 2022: Kazakhstan Events of 2021.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/kazakhstan.
[3] “Guns in Kazakhstan.” Gun Law and Policy: Firearms and armed violence, country by country. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/kazakhstan.
[4] “Kazakhstan.” Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor. Accessed September 6, 2022. http://the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2020/kazakhstan/view-all.aspx.
[5] See A-MAP Database.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, numerous accidental explosions were reported in Kazakhstan (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in Kazakhstan (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2021 | Taraz | State (military) | 12 | 90 |
2019 | Arys | State (military) | 3 | 77 |
2019 | Arys | State (military) | 0 | 10 |
2010 | Zhambyl | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
2009 | Arys | Non-state (company) | 5 | 15 |
2009 | Almaty | State (military) | 1 | N/A |
2001 | Balkhash | State (military) | N/A | N/A |
2001 | Almaty | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
Source: Small Arms Survey. n.d. Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS). Database.
Cases of diversion
Some cases of diversion have been reported since 2000 in Kazakhstan (Table 2).
Table 2: Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition, and explosives in Kazakhstan since 2000
Year | Location | Description |
2022 | N/A | Approximately 1’300 service weapons were stolen during nationwide protests. |
2000 | Almaty | A police officer was demoted for stealing firearms from his colleagues. |
Source: Assaniyaz, Assem. “January Riots in Kazakhstan: Police Discovers Only One-Third of Stolen Weapons.” The Astana Times, August 17, 2022. https://astanatimes.com/2022/08/january-riots-police-discovers-only-one-third-of-stolen-weapons/. Benevento, Chris. “Kazakhstan: Former Cop Headed Massive Car Theft Ring.” OCCRP, October 24, 2016. https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/5737-kazakhstan-former-cop-headed-massive-car-theft-ring.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
Insufficient information on disposal of ammunition in Kazakhstan.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Kazakhstan.[1]
[1] PoA Report 2022, Kazakhstan. Please note that PoA reports focus on SALW and not specifically on ammunition. https://smallarms.un-arm.org/country-profiles/KAZ.
