The international community has commended the openness and transparency of the constitutional reform

The international community has commended the openness and transparency of the constitutional reform

Теlegram CС - https://t.me/consot_kz

 

A briefing for the diplomatic corps on the outcomes of the work of the Commission on Constitutional Reform was held today in Astana, with the participation of the Chairperson and members of the Commission. The event was attended by 80 representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan.

The briefing was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of the Chairperson of the Commission and Chairperson of the Constitutional Court, Elvira Azimova, members of the Commission, Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev, Deputy Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Bakyt Nurmukhanov, Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastaev, and Chairman of the Republican Bar Association Madi Myrzagarayev.

It should be recalled that the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a decree to hold a national referendum on March 15, 2026, on the adoption of the draft new Constitution. This marks the completion of the work of the Constitutional Commission, established on January 21, 2026, to prepare the draft Basic Law, as well as the working group on parliamentary reform formed in October 2025.

The working group on parliamentary reform, which operated from October 2025 to January 2026 and included 33 representatives of the депутатский корпус, political parties, and the expert community, submitted all received proposals to the Commission on Constitutional Reform, which comprised 130 representatives from various sectors.

During its work, the Commission held 12 meetings broadcast live online, which in total garnered around one million views. Between the meetings, thematic working groups operated, public discussions were held, and meetings took place with the participation of Commission members. The draft Constitution was published twice by the Commission for nationwide public review. The second version represented a revised draft taking into account proposals received from citizens. As of February 13, approximately 12,000 submissions had been received by the Commission, a significant portion of which was incorporated into the revised text.

As noted during the briefing, the draft new Constitution places the individual—his or her life, rights, and freedoms—at its core. Guarantees for the protection of property and the inviolability of the home, private life, and personal data have been strengthened, and citizens’ rights in the digital environment have been enshrined. Constitutional liability of the State for harm caused by unlawful actions of state bodies and officials has been introduced. Mandatory publication of all ratified international treaties and adopted laws has been established. Human rights and freedoms now define the essence and content not only of laws but also of other normative legal acts and international obligations forming part of the current law of Kazakhstan.

“The sovereignty, independence, unitary nature, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kazakhstan remain unchanged in the draft Constitution. It is explicitly provided that amendments to the Constitution will be introduced exclusively through a nationwide referendum. This approach reinforces the constitutional provision that the bearer of sovereignty and the sole source of state power is the people of Kazakhstan. The national referendum on March 15, 2026, will be a day of responsible choice for Kazakhstan’s citizens regarding the country’s future development path,” said Elvira Azimova during the briefing.

The Constitution establishes a balanced and accountable model of public authority, providing for a transition to a unicameral Kurultai, while simultaneously laying the legal foundation for the Halk Kenesi as a representative body of citizens vested with the right of legislative initiative in the Kurultai. The procedure for its formation and operation will be determined by a separate constitutional law.

During the briefing, provisions of the draft Constitution relating to the legal aspects of the Republic’s foreign policy were also explained.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arman Isetov emphasized that “the constitutional innovations comprehensively reflect our State’s commitment to the fundamental principles of international law and national priorities in the context of the transition to a new stage of development. The model of international cooperation of the Republic of Kazakhstan is based on the core principles of the UN Charter and the good-faith fulfillment of all undertaken international obligations.”

It was noted that international treaties remain part of the country’s legal system and are subject to mandatory implementation.

At the conclusion of the briefing, participants raised a number of clarifying questions, including those concerning the correlation between international treaties and national legislation, as well as the inclusive approach to drafting the document. Following the meeting, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations noted the openness and transparency of the constitutional reform process in the Republic of Kazakhstan.