The new Constitution expands opportunities for civil society to participate in the country's life, but the next important step is to ensure that the enshrined norms fully work in practice, reports infohub.kz.
This was stated by Saltanat Esmaganbetova, chairwoman of the public association "Association of Parents of Children with Autism in Astana 'ORDA'" .
According to Esmaganbetova, the adoption of the new Constitution was an important stage in Kazakhstan's further development. "The new Constitution is an important stage in Kazakhstan's development, aimed at strengthening the rights of citizens, state institutions, and civil society. Particularly important are the provisions that strengthen the protection of human rights, citizen participation in public life, and the accountability of state institutions," she noted.
The expert also highlighted the significance of changes in the interaction between the state and society. New conditions should create more opportunities for public organizations, civic initiatives, and experts to participate in discussions of decisions affecting the lives of Kazakhstanis.
"The main change is the expansion of opportunities for dialogue between the state and society. Civic initiatives, public organizations, and the expert community now have more grounds to participate in discussing important decisions for the country," said Saltanat Esmaganbetova.
Speaking about the practical implementation of the new constitutional provisions, the head of the public association noted greater openness of state bodies and expanded opportunities for public participation.
At the same time, in her opinion, for the full implementation of the new principles, it is not enough to change legislation alone. Changes in existing practices and in citizens' attitudes towards their rights and responsibilities are necessary.
"Some changes are already visible in the greater openness of state bodies and the expansion of opportunities for public participation. But the full implementation of constitutional norms requires time, changes in practices, and, most importantly, the legal culture of citizens themselves," she emphasized.
Saltanat Esmaganbetova assigns a special role to public organizations in the implementation of constitutional reforms. "Public organizations should be a bridge between citizens and the state: identify real problems of people, propose solutions, and monitor how reforms work in practice," she noted.
Such interaction, according to the expert, allows not only to highlight existing problems but also to assess the effectiveness of decisions made.
Another important condition for the implementation of constitutional changes, Saltanat Esmaganbetova called the legal literacy of the population.
According to her, knowledge of the Basic Law is necessary not only for legal professionals. Understanding one's rights allows a person to protect their interests, while awareness of responsibilities forms a responsible attitude towards the life of society and the state.
"Because the Constitution is not just a document for lawyers and state bodies. It is the foundation of our daily life. Knowing your rights, you can protect them, and understanding your responsibilities, you can consciously participate in the development of the country," concluded Saltanat Esmaganbetova.