{"schema_version":"2026-07-15","type":"constitutional_edition_comparison","language":"en","editions":["1995","2026"],"sections":[{"id":"power","title":"System of Power","items":[{"id":"parliament","title":"Parliament → Kurultai","before":"Bicameral Parliament: Senate (49 deputies) + Mazhilis (98 deputies) = 147 seats. 13 constitutional functions.","after":"Unicameral Kurultai: 145 deputies elected by proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency. Term of office – 5 years.","editorial_note":"One chamber means one process: laws pass faster, and every deputy votes personally and openly.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-49","article_number":49,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-49"},{"anchor":"article-50","article_number":50,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-50"},{"anchor":"article-54","article_number":54,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-54"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-52","article_number":52,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-52"},{"anchor":"article-53","article_number":53,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-53"},{"anchor":"article-56","article_number":56,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-56"}]}},{"id":"vice_president","title":"Vice President: A New Institution","before":"The position of Vice President did not exist. Upon early termination of the President's powers, authority passed to the Senate Speaker.","after":"The office of Vice President is introduced. It is appointed by the President with the consent of the Kurultai and is first in the line of presidential succession.","editorial_note":"Kurultai must approve the candidate – a parliamentary check that prevents unilateral appointment.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-48","article_number":48,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-48"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-46","article_number":46,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-46"},{"anchor":"article-49","article_number":49,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-49"},{"anchor":"article-51","article_number":51,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-51"}]}},{"id":"president_term","title":"President: Term of Office","before":"7 years, single term. Requirements: citizen by birth, minimum 40 years old, 15 years residence in Kazakhstan, proficiency in Kazakh.","after":"7 years, single term (unchanged). New requirement: at least 5 years of experience in public service or elected positions. The single-term provision is entrenched as unamendable.","editorial_note":"The single-term limit remains unchanged: the President cannot be re-elected.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-41","article_number":41,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-41"},{"anchor":"article-42","article_number":42,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-42"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-43","article_number":43,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-43"}]}},{"id":"government_formation","title":"Government Formation","before":"Prime Minister appointed with Mazhilis consent. President independently appoints ministers of defense, foreign affairs, internal affairs.","after":"Prime Minister appointed with Kurultai's consent. The Vice President coordinates Government work on the President's behalf. The President independently appoints the Chair of the Constitutional Court, Prosecutor General, and Chair of the National Bank; Kurultai consent is required for Constitutional Court judges, Central Election Commission members, and Supreme Audit Chamber members.","editorial_note":"Kurultai consent is broader, but it does not apply to the Prosecutor General or the Chair of the National Bank.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-44","article_number":44,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-44"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-46","article_number":46,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-46"},{"anchor":"article-56","article_number":56,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-56"},{"anchor":"article-64","article_number":64,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-64"}]}}]},{"id":"rights","title":"Rights and Freedoms","items":[{"id":"digital_rights","title":"Digital Rights","before":"Privacy of correspondence, telephone conversations and postal messages was protected, but digital technologies were not mentioned.","after":"New block: protection of personal data from unlawful collection, processing and storage, including via digital technologies. Privacy of communications transmitted through digital means. Right to erasure of information about oneself (right to be forgotten).","editorial_note":"If someone publishes your personal data without consent, it is a violation of a constitutional right.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-18","article_number":18,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-18"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-21","article_number":21,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-21"}]}},{"id":"detention","title":"Detention Period: 72 → 48 Hours","before":"Without court authorization, a person may be detained for no more than 72 hours (Article 16).","after":"Without a court ruling, detention may not exceed 48 hours – a 24-hour reduction, enshrined directly in the Constitution.","editorial_note":"A shorter detention period reduces the risk of pressure on a suspect before court.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-16","article_number":16,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-16"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-18","article_number":18,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-18"}]}},{"id":"miranda","title":"Explanation of Rights Upon Detention","before":"The Constitution did not require authorities to explain rights upon detention.","after":"Upon detention, every person must be informed of the grounds for deprivation of liberty and their rights. The right to a lawyer from the moment of detention is now constitutionally guaranteed.","editorial_note":"Upon any detention, you have the right to know why and the right to a lawyer immediately.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-16","article_number":16,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-16"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-18","article_number":18,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-18"}]}},{"id":"presumption_innocence","title":"Presumption of Innocence","before":"Applied only in criminal proceedings: a person is presumed innocent of a crime until a court verdict enters into force.","after":"Now functions as a general constitutional principle for criminal offenses. Also codified: no one is obligated to testify against themselves or close relatives. Clergy are not obligated to testify against those who confided in them during confession.","editorial_note":"The principle is no longer limited to criminal cases – it permeates all law enforcement.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-77","article_number":77,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-77"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-19","article_number":19,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-19"},{"anchor":"article-78","article_number":78,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-78"}]}},{"id":"compensation","title":"Compensation for State Actions","before":"The 1995 Constitution did not include a direct provision on the citizen's right to compensation for harm caused by state bodies.","after":"Every person has the right to compensation by the state for harm caused by unlawful actions of state bodies or their officials.","editorial_note":"Citizens can now claim compensation from the state for unlawful official actions directly based on the Constitution.","absent_in_1995":true,"references":{"1995":[],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-15","article_number":15,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-15"}]}}]},{"id":"justice","title":"Justice System","items":[{"id":"constitutional_court","title":"Constitutional Court","before":"Constitutional Court is in operation. Chief Justice and members appointed with Senate consent. Citizens have no direct access to the Constitutional Court.","after":"Constitutional Court is retained. Chief Justice appointed with Kurultai's consent. Courts may not apply laws that infringe constitutionally guaranteed rights. Judicial power is exercised in the name of the Republic of Kazakhstan.","editorial_note":"Courts are obligated to refuse to apply laws that violate constitutional rights.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-71","article_number":71,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-71"},{"anchor":"article-73","article_number":73,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-73"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-72","article_number":72,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-72"},{"anchor":"article-73","article_number":73,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-73"},{"anchor":"article-75","article_number":75,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-75"},{"anchor":"article-79","article_number":79,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-79"}]}},{"id":"fair_trial","title":"Fair Trial Guarantees","before":"Guarantees: right to be heard, presumption of innocence, prohibition of illegally obtained evidence. Accused not obligated to prove innocence.","after":"All previous guarantees are retained. Added: judicial power is exercised for the purpose of protecting citizens' rights and freedoms. Prohibition on conviction based solely on confession is retained.","editorial_note":"The court exists to protect citizens – this is the constitutional purpose of justice.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-75","article_number":75,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-75"},{"anchor":"article-77","article_number":77,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-77"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-76","article_number":76,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-76"},{"anchor":"article-78","article_number":78,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-78"}]}}]},{"id":"participation","title":"Civic Participation","items":[{"id":"peoples_council","title":"Kazakhstan People's Council (Khalyq Keñesi)","before":"The People's Council existed as an informal body without constitutional status.","after":"The Kazakhstan People's Council receives constitutional status as a consultative-advisory body under the President, comprising civil society representatives, NGOs, experts, and regional representatives.","editorial_note":"Constitutional status requires the state to consider the Council's opinion in key decisions.","absent_in_1995":true,"references":{"1995":[],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-70","article_number":70,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-70"},{"anchor":"article-71","article_number":71,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-71"}]}},{"id":"petitions","title":"Citizen Appeals and Petitions","before":"Citizens had the right to apply in person and submit individual and collective appeals to state bodies and local self-government bodies.","after":"The constitutional right to individual and collective appeals is retained. Petitions are governed by the Administrative Procedural Code, while Article 60 gives legislative initiative to the President, Kurultai deputies, the Government, and the People's Council, not directly to citizens.","editorial_note":"These are distinct mechanisms: the Constitution protects appeals, while the petition procedure is established by the Administrative Procedural Code.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-33","article_number":33,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-33"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-35","article_number":35,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-35"},{"anchor":"article-60","article_number":60,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-60"}]}},{"id":"referendums","title":"Referendums","before":"Citizens have the right to participate in the republican referendum. Initiative for referendum belongs to the President and Parliament.","after":"Citizens have the right to participate in nationwide referendums. The list of issues subject to referendum is clarified. Citizens convicted by court verdict do not have the right to participate in a referendum.","editorial_note":"The term 'nationwide' underlines the broad legitimacy of direct popular expression.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-33","article_number":33,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-33"},{"anchor":"article-91","article_number":91,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-91"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-35","article_number":35,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-35"},{"anchor":"article-92","article_number":92,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-92"}]}}]},{"id":"freedoms","title":"Freedom of Speech and Association","items":[{"id":"freedom_speech","title":"Freedom of Speech and Information","before":"Freedom of speech and creativity is guaranteed. Censorship is prohibited. Everyone is entitled to freely receive and disseminate information by any means not prohibited by law.","after":"Freedom of speech and scientific, technical, artistic creativity is guaranteed. Censorship is prohibited. Added: freedom of speech must not encroach on the honour and dignity of others, or on citizens' health and public morality. Intellectual property is protected by law.","editorial_note":"Freedom of speech is constitutionally protected. The new provisions also safeguard every citizen's honour and dignity – freedom and respect go hand in hand.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-20","article_number":20,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-20"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-23","article_number":23,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-23"}]}},{"id":"associations","title":"NGOs and Foreign Funding","before":"Citizens have the right to freedom of association. Activities of public associations are regulated by law. Unlawful state interference in the affairs of associations is prohibited.","after":"New constitutional requirement: information about the financial flows of non-commercial organizations receiving foreign funding must be open and accessible. Financing of political parties and trade unions by foreign persons and organizations is prohibited.","editorial_note":"Financial transparency means every citizen can see what funds an organization operates with. This strengthens public trust in the civil sector.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-5","article_number":5,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-5"},{"anchor":"article-23","article_number":23,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-23"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-6","article_number":6,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-6"},{"anchor":"article-26","article_number":26,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-26"}]}},{"id":"assembly","title":"Right to Peaceful Assembly","before":"Citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without weapons, hold rallies, demonstrations, processions and pickets (Article 32).","after":"Citizens have the right to peaceful assemblies. The wording is shortened. The specific list of forms (rallies, demonstrations, pickets) is delegated to statutory law.","editorial_note":"The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined at the highest – constitutional – level. The detailed procedure is set by statute, providing citizens with clarity and predictability.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-32","article_number":32,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-32"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-34","article_number":34,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-34"}]}}]},{"id":"international","title":"International Treaties and Sovereignty","items":[{"id":"treaty_priority","title":"Priority of International Treaties","before":"Ratified international treaties take priority over the laws of the Republic (current Constitution, Article 4).","after":"The procedure for international treaties to take effect on Kazakhstani territory is now determined by national legislation. The Constitution enshrines the primacy of sovereign national decisions.","editorial_note":"Kazakhstan strengthens state sovereignty: the application of international treaties is now governed by national legislation, reinforcing the country's legal autonomy.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-4","article_number":4,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-4"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-5","article_number":5,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-5"}]}},{"id":"sovereignty_language","title":"Sovereignty and 'Law and Order'","before":"Foundational principles: social harmony, political stability, Kazakhstani patriotism, democratic governance methods (Article 1).","after":"New principles of the Republic's activity: protection of sovereignty and independence, the rule of law and order, strengthening of national unity, development of public dialogue, and ecological culture.","editorial_note":"The new principles reflect the country's strategic priorities: rule of law protects every citizen, national unity strengthens society, and ecological culture shows care for future generations.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-1","article_number":1,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-1"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-3","article_number":3,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-3"}]}}]},{"id":"social","title":"Social Rights","items":[{"id":"education","title":"Education","before":"Free secondary education is guaranteed in state institutions. Only secondary education is compulsory (Article 30).","after":"Free secondary education is guaranteed. Primary and secondary education become compulsory (expanded). The education system is secular in character, except for religious educational institutions.","editorial_note":"Primary education becomes constitutionally compulsory for the first time; the secular character of schooling is explicitly enshrined.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-30","article_number":30,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-30"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-33","article_number":33,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-33"}]}},{"id":"healthcare","title":"Healthcare","before":"Citizens are entitled to receive the guaranteed volume of free medical assistance established by law (Article 29).","after":"Citizens are entitled to receive medical assistance established by law at no personal cost. The wording is clarified: 'not paid by them' rather than 'free of charge'.","editorial_note":"The substance is unchanged: the guaranteed volume of medical assistance remains available to citizens without charge.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-29","article_number":29,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-29"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-32","article_number":32,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-32"}]}},{"id":"ecology","title":"Ecology and Environment","before":"The state aims to protect the environment. Citizens are obligated to care for natural resources. The right to a favourable environment is not directly enshrined.","after":"The state retains the goal of environmental protection. Among the new principles of the Republic's activity is 'formation of a high ecological culture.' Concealment by officials of threats to citizens' life and health entails liability.","editorial_note":"Ecological culture is named for the first time as a constitutional principle of state activity.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-31","article_number":31,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-31"},{"anchor":"article-38","article_number":38,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-38"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-3","article_number":3,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-3"},{"anchor":"article-37","article_number":37,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-37"}]}}]},{"id":"identity","title":"Language, Citizenship and Preamble","items":[{"id":"preamble","title":"Preamble: 'Just Kazakhstan'","before":"Preamble: '…devoted to the ideals of freedom, equality and harmony…'","after":"Preamble: 'We, the united people of Kazakhstan… following the idea of Just Kazakhstan and the principle of Law and Order… declaring strict observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens.' The emphasis is on citizens' rights and national unity.","editorial_note":"'Just Kazakhstan' is the national vision for the future: a state where the law applies equally to all, citizens' rights are strictly upheld, and a united people builds shared prosperity.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"preamble","article_number":null,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#preamble"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"preamble","article_number":null,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#preamble"}]}},{"id":"language","title":"State Language","before":"State language – Kazakh. In state organizations and bodies, Russian is officially used alongside Kazakh.","after":"State language – Kazakh (Article 7). In state organizations and local self-governance bodies, Russian is officially used alongside Kazakh. The state ensures conditions for learning and developing the languages of the 'united people of Kazakhstan'.","editorial_note":"The status of Russian as an official language in state bodies is retained without change.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-7","article_number":7,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-7"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-9","article_number":9,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-9"}]}},{"id":"citizenship","title":"Citizenship: Dual Nationality","before":"A citizen of the Republic may not be deprived of citizenship. Deprivation is permitted by court ruling for terrorism or other serious harm to vital state interests. Dual nationality is not recognised.","after":"The ban on dual and multiple citizenship is retained. New provision: possession of another citizenship is grounds for termination of Kazakhstani citizenship. The wording 'vital interests' is replaced with 'national interests'.","editorial_note":"The principle of single citizenship strengthens the bond between a person and Kazakhstan and underlines every citizen's responsibility to their country.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-10","article_number":10,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-10"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-13","article_number":13,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-13"}]}},{"id":"marriage","title":"Definition of Marriage","before":"Marriage, family, motherhood, fatherhood and childhood are under state protection. No definition of marriage was present in the constitutional text.","after":"A constitutional definition is added: 'Marriage is a voluntary and equal union of a man and a woman, registered by the state in accordance with the law.'","editorial_note":"The Constitution enshrines the traditional understanding of marriage as a union of a man and a woman, founded on the free will and equal rights of both spouses.","absent_in_1995":false,"references":{"1995":[{"anchor":"article-27","article_number":27,"language":"ru","url":"https://constitution.my/constitution-1995?lang=ru#article-27"}],"2026":[{"anchor":"article-30","article_number":30,"language":"en","url":"https://constitution.my/full-text?lang=en#article-30"}]}}]}],"source_role":{"is_official_legal_source":false,"description":"Reviewed Constitution.my comparison with links to the corresponding legal-text provisions."}}