The Week in Kazakhstan: Rank and Jail

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law on June 30 a bill that bans face-covering clothing in public places. Lawmakers argued that certain clothing items could hamper facial recognition and pose a security threat. While not specifically addressing religious headwear, the measure is likely to affect women wearing niqab or burqa in public. Kazakhstan is the latest Central Asian country to pass such law, following Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

On June 30, Tokayev appointed Nurlan Sauranbayev...