The New Constitution Enshrines the Family as an Independent Constitutional Value – Chairperson of the Constitutional Court

Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Elvira Azimova stated that the renewed Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which entered into force on 1 July 2026, enshrines the family as an independent constitutional value and significantly strengthens the guarantees for its protection. She made these remarks while opening the roundtable discussion "Constitutional Guarantees of Family Policy and Gender Equality" in Astana.

According to the Chairperson of the Constitutional Court, the constitutional meaning of Article 30 of the Basic Law extends far beyond its literal wording.

"The family is enshrined not only as an object of social protection, but also as an independent constitutional value based on human dignity, freedom, equality of spouses, the mutual responsibility of family members, and the continuity of generations," Elvira Azimova emphasized.

She noted that the protection of the family and the promotion of gender justice are complementary objectives.

"The modern understanding of gender justice goes beyond formal equality. It requires the creation of legal and social conditions that enable women and men to exercise their constitutional rights on an equal basis while balancing professional careers, family responsibilities, and participation in public life," the Chairperson of the Constitutional Court said.

Elvira Azimova also drew particular attention to the Constitutional Court's new constitutional powers. According to her, the renewed Constitution has significantly enhanced the legal authority of the Court's decisions. They enter into force on the day of their adoption, are universally binding throughout the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, are final, and are not subject to appeal.

In addition, the Basic Law establishes the mandatory application of laws in accordance with the constitutional and legal interpretation provided by the Constitutional Court. It also grants the Court a new power—to review whether the implementation of decisions of international organizations and their bodies complies with the Constitution. According to Elvira Azimova, these amendments are aimed at strengthening the supremacy of the Constitution, legal certainty, the uniformity of judicial practice, and more effective protection of constitutional rights and freedoms.

The roundtable was organized by the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Constitutional Court.

The discussion brought together Family Affairs Commissioner Snezhanna Imasheva, Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastaev, Chair of the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhakip Asanov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information Yevgeniy Kochetov, as well as representatives of the judiciary, government agencies, the academic and expert community, and civil society organizations.

Participants discussed the constitutional and legal foundations of family policy, the implementation of constitutional guarantees for the protection of the family, motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood, the promotion of equality and non-discrimination, as well as the significance of the Constitutional Court's legal positions in ensuring consistent law enforcement practice.

At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants emphasized that the further development of family policy should focus on the effective implementation of the new constitutional guarantees, strengthening the institution of the family, promoting responsible parenthood, and ensuring gender equality.