Ethical Code of Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan
(Rules of official ethics of civil servants)
1. General provisions
1. The performance of public service is an expression of special trust on the part of society and the state and places high demands on the moral and ethical image of public servants.
The Company expects that civil servants will invest all their strength, knowledge and experience in their professional activities, impartially and honestly serve their Homeland – the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Civil servants in their activities should be committed to the policy of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev and consistently implement it.
Footnote. Item 1 as amended by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.05.2017 No. 471.
2. This Code of Ethics of Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Rules of Official Ethics of Civil Servants) (hereinafter – the Code) in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 23, 2015 "On Public Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan", dated November 18, 2015 "On Combating Corruption", generally accepted moral and ethical standards establishes the basic requirements for the moral and ethical appearance of civil servants, as well as basic standards of their behavior.
The Code is aimed at strengthening public confidence in state bodies, creating a high culture of relations in the civil service and preventing cases of unethical behavior of civil servants.
3. Heads of state bodies, in the central executive bodies-the responsible secretaries of the central executive bodies or officials who are assigned the powers of the responsible secretaries of the central executive bodies in accordance with the established procedure, and in the absence of the responsible secretaries of the central executive bodies or the specified officials – the heads of the central executive bodies shall ensure the implementation of the requirements of this Code, the placement of the text of this Code in the buildings of state bodies in places accessible to the public.
4. A civil servant must be familiarized with the text of this Code in writing within three days after entering the civil service.
2. General standards of conduct
5. Civil servants must:
1) promote the strengthening of the unity of the people of Kazakhstan and interethnic harmony in the country, respect the state and other languages, traditions and customs of the people of Kazakhstan;
2) be honest, fair, modest, observe generally accepted moral and ethical standards, and show courtesy and correctness in dealing with citizens and colleagues;
3) ensure the legality and fairness of their decisions;
4) ensure transparency of decision-making affecting the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities;
5) resist actions that harm the interests of the state, hinder or reduce the effectiveness of the functioning of state bodies;
6) to improve their professional level and qualifications for the effective performance of official duties, to comply with the restrictions and prohibitions established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
7) by their actions and behavior, do not give rise to criticism from the public, do not allow prosecution for criticism, use constructive criticism to eliminate shortcomings and improve their activities;
8) not to use the official position to influence the activities of state bodies, organizations, civil servants and other persons in solving personal issues;
9) not to disseminate information that does not correspond to reality;
10) to ensure the safety of state property, to use the entrusted state property, including motor vehicles, rationally, efficiently and only for official purposes;
11) strictly observe official discipline, conscientiously, impartially and qualitatively perform their official duties, rationally and effectively use working time;
12) to take measures on an ongoing basis to improve the quality of public services provided, fully focusing on the needs of the population as a consumer of public services;
13) to prevent the commission of misdemeanors and other offenses for which the law provides for disciplinary, administrative or criminal liability.
14) observe business etiquette and rules of official conduct.
The appearance of a civil servant in the performance of his official duties should contribute to strengthening the authority of the state apparatus, correspond to the generally accepted business style, which is distinguished by formality, restraint and accuracy.
Footnote. Paragraph 5 was amended in Kazakh, the text in Russian is not changed by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 24.01.2019 No. 828 (effective from the date of its first official publication).
6. Civil servants should not use their official position and related opportunities in the interests of public and religious associations, other non-profit organizations, including to promote their attitude towards them.
Civil servants, including those holding senior positions, may not openly demonstrate their religious beliefs in the collective, or force subordinate employees to participate in the activities of public and religious associations, or other non-profit organizations.
3. Standards of off-duty behavior
7. Civil servants during off-duty hours must:
1) to adhere to generally accepted moral and ethical standards, to avoid cases of antisocial behavior, including being in public places in a state of intoxication that offends human dignity and public morality;
2) show modesty, do not emphasize or use your official position when receiving appropriate services;
3) not to allow for their part to violate the requirements of the law, involving an infringement on public morality, order and security, and not to involve other citizens in committing illegal, anti-social actions.
4. Standards of conduct in official relations
8. Civil servants in their official relations with their colleagues should:
1) promote the establishment and strengthening of business and friendly relations and constructive cooperation in the team;
2) to prevent or take other measures to prevent violations of the norms of official ethics on the part of other civil servants;
3) refrain from discussing the personal and professional qualities of colleagues that discredit their honor and dignity in the team;
4) do not allow actions (inaction) that prevent colleagues from performing their official duties.
9. Managers in their relations with subordinate employees must:
1) to serve as an example of impartiality, justice, unselfishness, respect for the honor and dignity of the individual by their behavior;
2) to ensure compliance with the principles of meritocracy, when solving personnel issues, not to give preference on the grounds of kinship, fraternity and personal loyalty;
3) to show fairness and objectivity in assessing the results of their activities, as well as the application of incentives and penalties;
4) take measures aimed at protecting labor, health, creating safe and necessary conditions for effective activity, as well as creating a favorable moral and psychological atmosphere that excludes any forms of discrimination and encroachments on the honor and dignity of employees;
5) not to use their official position to influence their activities in solving non-official issues;
6) not to force the commission of illegal acts, as well as acts that are not compatible with generally accepted moral and ethical standards;
7) do not allow unfounded accusations, facts of rudeness, humiliation of dignity, tactlessness and incorrect behavior in relation to them.
10. Civil servants holding lower-level positions must:
1) to provide only objective and reliable information when executing the instructions of managers;
2) immediately bring to the attention of the management and the ethics commissioner about cases of violations of the norms of official ethics and disciplinary offenses that discredit the public service that have become known to them;
3) not to allow actions (inaction) that prevent the execution of legitimate orders of the head;
4) do not allow the management to show personal loyalty, the desire to obtain benefits and advantages at the expense of their official capabilities.
5. Standards of conduct related to public speaking,
including in the media
11. Public statements concerning the activities of a state body shall be made by its head or authorized officials of the state body.
Civil servants should conduct discussions in a correct manner, without undermining the authority of the civil service.
12. Civil servants should not publicly express their opinions on issues of public policy and official activities, if they:
1) does not correspond to the main directions of the state policy;
2) discloses proprietary information that is not authorized for publication;
3) contains unethical statements addressed to state officials, public administration bodies, and other public servants.