# What Is the Constitution

> The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state that defines the structure of power, citizens' rights, and the basic rules of society. It is not a political program or ideological manifesto but the legal foundation upon which all other laws are built. The Constitution establishes the "rules of the game" for everyone – from the president to ordinary citizens.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/what-is-constitution?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: About the Constitution

## Why We Need a Constitution

The Constitution serves three key functions:

1. **Limits state power.** The Constitution prevents the government from acting arbitrarily – it establishes clear boundaries for every body's authority and mechanisms of checks and balances.

2. **Guarantees citizens' rights.** Fundamental rights – to life, freedom of speech, property, fair trial – are enshrined in the Constitution and protected from changes by ordinary laws.

3. **Establishes rules of interaction between institutions.** Who is elected and how, how laws are adopted, who is responsible for what – all of this is written in the Constitution.

## How the Constitution Differs from Ordinary Laws

The Constitution has **supreme legal force**:

- Any law contradicting the Constitution is invalid.
- The Constitution can only be changed through a referendum – direct voting by citizens.
- The Constitution is reviewed by a separate body – the Constitutional Court.

Ordinary laws elaborate on constitutional norms but cannot override or contradict them.

## The Constitution Is a Living Document

The Constitution is not written once and forever. It evolves with society. The economy changes, new technologies emerge (internet, digital rights), new challenges arise (cybersecurity, data protection) – and the Constitution must respond to these changes.

At the same time, fundamental principles remain stable:

- Popular sovereignty
- Separation of powers
- Human rights guarantees
- Territorial integrity

Updating the Constitution is not "rewriting from scratch" but adjusting institutions to new conditions while preserving fundamental values.

## Key Facts

- Constitution = rules of the game for all members of society
- Supreme legal force – no law can contradict it
- Changed only through referendum – citizens decide
- Protects rights and limits power simultaneously

## Checked sources

- [Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2600000000) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> Глава государства отметил, что новая Конституция – это ориентир для народа, незыблемая основа справедливого общества и надежная гарантия устойчивого развития страны.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/208)
- Evidence: `attributed_speech; atom:2849; unreviewed`

> Стратегическая цель конституционной реформы – укрепление государственности и независимости, повышение благосостояния граждан.

- Маулен Ашимбаев, Председатель Сената
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/122)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:2496; unreviewed`

> Он отметил, что еще одной ключевой особенностью нового текста Конституции является ориентация на права человека. Так, права и свободы человека закреплены не только в новой Преамбуле, но и утверждены в качестве особого приоритета и смыслового стержня всей Конституции.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/27)
- Evidence: `attributed_speech; atom:818; unreviewed`

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/what-is-constitution?lang=en
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