“Ensuring equality of rights of citizens and issues of non-discrimination. On the use of the concept of "ethnic minorities" in the legal field of Kazakhstan "

On October 22, 2020, in Nur-Sultan, at the site of the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research (hereinafter - IPEI), an expert meeting was held on the topic “Ensuring equality of citizens' rights and non-discrimination. On the use of the concept of "ethnic minorities" in the legal field of Kazakhstan. "

This meeting was held in an online format, which was attended by members of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, the Scientific and Expert Council of the ANC and the IPEI expert group, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Interethnic Relations of the IIOR G. Shoikin, as well as representatives of the KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Institute of History state, the ALE "Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan", the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, as well as the public foundation "International Legal Initiative".

During the discussion, various opinions were voiced on the topic of discussion.

In particular, the director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law Yevgeny Zhovtis noted that the ratification of the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights is of equal importance in the legal field of Kazakhstan. The speaker explained that for the formation of the Kazakh conceptual apparatus it is necessary to adopt a framework law on the equality of citizens' rights. It was also proposed to define the concept of discrimination, create institutions and bodies that will deal with complaints of discrimination.

In turn, Amangeldy Shormanbaev, an expert on political rights of the International Legal Initiative public foundation, voiced the opinion that the concept of "ethnic minorities" is included in the general and broader concept of "minority". Since it is applicable in relation to language - "linguistic minority", religions - "religious minority", etc.

Continuing the conversation, President of the Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan Banu Nurgazieva noted that in Kazakhstan all ethnic groups have equal rights. As an example, she cited the civil service, which provides for the provision of equal access for all who wish, regardless of their ethnicity, language, gender and other characteristics.

It should be noted that the format of the expert platform for ethnopolitical discourse is carried out on a regular basis and is aimed at an open discussion of issues in the field of interethnic relations.