The Constitution is not just 'what I'm owed'
Rights and duties are written in the same section. They only work together.
Citizens' duties
- Observe the Constitution and laws – a fundamental obligation
- Pay taxes – as established by law
- Defend the Republic of Kazakhstan – military service under the law
- Care for children – maintenance and upbringing
- Care for incapacitated parents – an obligation of adult children
- Protect nature – a constitutional duty
- Respect the rights of others – your freedom ends where another's begins
- Respect state symbols – the flag, coat of arms, and anthem
How rights and duties are connected
| Your right | Related duty | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Free education | Pay taxes | Schools run on tax revenue |
| Security | Defend the country | The army is a common responsibility |
| A clean environment | Protect nature | Nature is a shared resource |
| Judicial protection | Observe the laws | The system works when everyone follows the rules |
Breaching duties has real consequences
- Non-payment of taxes → fines or criminal liability
- Evasion of military service → liability under the law
- Non-payment of child support → enforcement through the courts
What is new in the 2026 Constitution
All duties are retained. The environmental dimension is strengthened – the duty to protect nature receives additional constitutional weight.