Astana — Thirty years ago, on August 30, 1995, Kazakhstan’s citizens placed their trust in a new Constitution through a national referendum. That act was more than a legal milestone – it was the birth certificate of a modern state, a pledge that the highest value would be the individual, their rights, and their dignity.

For a nation still fresh from independence, these principles were not symbolic flourishes but the very blueprint of governance. They laid the groundwork for domestic reforms, guided legislative development, and signaled to the world that Kazakhstan sought its place among rule-of-law states.

From Humanist Provisions to Living Guarantees

The recognition of human rights as constitutional bedrock marked Kazakhstan’s break from the command-administrative legacy of the Soviet era. Over the decades, institutions grew stronger, mechanisms of accountability more open, and commitments to international norms more credible.

The 2022 referendum elevated this trajectory: the office of the Human Rights Commissioner gained constitutional status, joining a circle of democracies where rights watchdogs are enshrined in fundamental law. Ombudsman Artur Lastayev framed this as democratic maturity, pointing to new powers – from monitoring detention facilities to shaping legislative initiatives – that transformed the office from a complaint bureau into a driver of systemic reform.

With nearly 7,000 appeals filed annually and a landmark domestic violence law inspired by the Ombudsman’s recommendations, the institution reflects both rising legal awareness and growing trust in the state’s ability to protect.

Rule of Law in Action

The Constitution has shown resilience and adaptability, evolving with the demands of a rapidly changing society. The judiciary has been one of its most visible beneficiaries. Chief Justice Aslambek Mergaliyev underscored that constitutional rights mean little without courts citizens’ trust. Transparency has become a mantra: over 80% of pre-trial investigations are digitized, and 90% of investigative actions are video-recorded, bolstering accountability.

At the same time, innovations like the People’s Lawyer campaign and online legal services extend the reach of justice to ordinary citizens – a tangible manifestation of constitutional promises.

Central Asia in Constitutional Motion

Kazakhstan’s journey has not been isolated. Across Central Asia, constitutions are evolving toward openness, inclusivity, and alignment with global norms. Uzbek expert Mirzatillo Tillabayev highlighted the constitutionalizing of Ombudsman institutions as a shared milestone, while also warning of the next frontier: safeguarding rights in the digital era.

Artificial intelligence, big data, and e-governance hold both promise and peril, requiring new legal thinking and regional collaboration. Here, Kazakhstan’s experience in digitized justice may offer a template, but its Constitution must continue to evolve to protect privacy, dignity, and security in an age where technology often outpaces law.

A Charter that Breathes with the People

Three decades on, Kazakhstan’s Constitution remains more than parchment. It is a living document — both durable and adaptive — embodying the principle that sovereignty belongs to the people. Its endurance lies in its balance: asserting statehood while centering human dignity, adapting to reforms while safeguarding continuity.

As Kazakhstan steps deeper into the digital century, the challenge is no longer only about what rights exist on paper, but how they live in practice — in courts, prisons, digital platforms, and daily life.

The true measure of the Kazakhstan's Constitution at 30 is not only what has been achieved, but how it continues to mirror the aspirations of a society determined to move forward.

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Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-hanoi/press/news/details/1059706?lang=kk