Kazakhstan's unicameral Kurultai and human-centred constitutional reform

Kazakhstan has established a new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, as part of this year's constitutional reforms. At its first session, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the start of work by the single-chamber legislature a historic step in the country's development.

An international conference, "Human-Centred Approach – the Vector of Constitutional Reform in Kazakhstan," was held at the National Academic Library in Astana. It was organised by the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Justice Ministry and the International Association of Lawyers, with support from the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. Deputy Justice Minister Aidar Zharylgapov said constitutional values must become the basis of real decisions and citizens' daily lives. Ombudsman Artur Lastayev noted that the new Constitution gives a prominent place to people and their rights and freedoms.

Representatives from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly took part online. Constitutional Court deputy head Yerlan Sapparov said the court's main task is ensuring the supremacy of the Basic Law. Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Council, said the principle of a state serving people should become central to model laws.