July 1, 2026: Concrete Changes
From July 1, 2026, Kazakhstan's new Constitution takes full effect. Here is what changes for every citizen.
New Citizens' Rights
Digital rights (for the first time at the constitutional level):
- Right to protection of personal data. Collection, storage, and transfer of data without your consent now violates the Constitution.
- Confidentiality of digital communications — messenger correspondence and email are protected on a par with telephone conversations.
- Right to be forgotten — you may demand removal of information about yourself from public sources.
- Protection of biometric data — fingerprints and facial recognition data are separately protected.
Rights upon detention:
- Maximum detention period without a court decision: 48 hours (previously 72 hours).
- "Miranda rule" — from the moment of detention, you must be informed of your rights.
- Right of immediate access to a lawyer from the moment of detention.
- Right to notify relatives of detention.
Right to petition:
- Citizens may submit petitions to the Kurultai. If a petition collects the number of signatures required by law, the Kurultai is obliged to consider it.
Presumption of innocence as a general principle:
- Previously applied only in criminal proceedings. Now enshrined as a general constitutional principle for all types of legal relations.
Constitutional Court
From July 1, 2026, any citizen may directly apply to the Constitutional Court if they believe that a law applied to them violates their constitutional rights. Previously citizens had no such right.
What Does Not Change Immediately
- The Kurultai is formed after elections (approximately autumn 2026).
- The Vice President is appointed after the Kurultai is formed.
- The People's Council launches after the relevant law is adopted.
Summary Table: Before and After July 1, 2026
| Right / Norm | Before July 1, 2026 | From July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Detention without court | 72 hours | 48 hours |
| Rights upon detention | Not automatically explained | Mandatory explanation ("Miranda rule") |
| Digital data | Not protected at constitutional level | Constitutional protection |
| CC application | Only through courts and prosecutor | Direct citizen right |
| Petitions to parliament | Not required to be considered | Kurultai must consider |
| Presumption of innocence | Criminal proceedings only | General constitutional principle |