ASTANA – Deputies of Kazakhstan’s Kurultai will face new rules governing their conduct inside and outside the legislative chamber, with violations ranging from inappropriate remarks and providing unverified information to breaches of parliamentary ethics that could result in public apologies, restrictions on speaking and other disciplinary measures.
Kazakhstan’s Kurultai deputies agree on regulations governing the legislative body’s work on Sept. 10. Photo credit: Kurultai’s press service.
Deputy Chair of the Kurultai Daniya Yespayeva outlined the rules at a briefing for media representatives after the plenary meeting of deputies on Sept. 10.
The new provisions form part of the Kurultai’s approved regulations, which establish the procedures for the legislative body’s work, including parliamentary sessions, the legislative process, government hours, hearings and the activities of parliamentary factions and committees.
Kurultai to meet Wednesdays and Thursdays
Under the new regulations, the Kurultai’s regular session will run from the first working day of September to the last working day of June. Plenary sessions will generally be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while hearings will take place on Fridays and government hours on Mondays.
Sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a break from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Kurultai or its Bureau may decide to hold sessions at other times when necessary. A session is valid when at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies are present, meaning at least 97 deputies.
The regulations provide for open sessions as the general rule. Open meetings will be broadcast, including online through Kurultai’s internet resources. The legislative body will maintain transcripts and video recordings, and will also publish transcripts of open sessions on its website.
Between regular sessions, deputies will continue exercising their powers, including initiating legislation, preparing amendments to laws and working with constituents. Deputies may travel to the regions for up to 10 calendar days, and such visits must take place at least twice during a session.
Deputies are required to provide verified information
Deputy Chair of the Kurultai Daniya Yespayeva. Photo credit: Kurultai’s press service.
According to Yespayeva, violations of parliamentary ethics may include unjustified remarks directed at speakers and statements that insult or otherwise affect the honor and dignity of deputies or other individuals.
The ethical requirements will apply not only during Kurultai sessions and meetings of its factions, groups and other bodies, but also to deputies’ conduct outside the legislature. Specific requirements also apply to deputies’ interactions with the media. In public statements, responses and interviews, deputies are expected to provide verified and accurate information.
“Simply saying that something is not being fulfilled, or citing certain facts when they are not reliable, will also constitute a violation of parliamentary ethics,” Yespayeva said.
The provision emphasizes deputies’ responsibility for public statements, particularly because their comments to the media can influence public perceptions of government policies and legislative work.
Disciplinary measures range from reprimands to salary deductions
A Council on Parliamentary Ethics will be established to consider complaints concerning deputies’ conduct. The council will accept appeals from individuals and legal entities and will also conduct educational work on parliamentary ethics.
The council’s regulations were adopted the day before the briefing. Several types of disciplinary measures are available for violations. A deputy may receive a reprimand or be required to issue a public apology.
More serious measures include being prohibited from speaking at one Kurultai session or, in more severe cases, at three sessions. The law also provides for a deputy to be removed from one or three Kurultai sessions.
The most severe sanction among those outlined by Yespayeva is the withholding of one day’s salary. However, the Council on Parliamentary Ethics will not decide on sanctions independently. It will consider the alleged violation and issue a decision, after which the matter will be considered at a Kurultai session.
Council to focus on both enforcement and prevention
Yespayeva stressed that the Council on Parliamentary Ethics will have a broader role than simply reviewing complaints. It will also conduct explanatory work to help deputies understand the rules and standards governing their conduct.
The emphasis on guidance reflects the significant renewal of the Kurultai’s current composition. According to Yespayeva, nearly 70–80% of the deputies are new, meaning that many are working within the legislative framework for the first time.
The council’s explanatory function is therefore intended to help deputies understand the boundaries of acceptable conduct and their responsibilities before violations occur.
New regulations define Kurultai’s legislative work
The regulations also establish the procedures for considering draft laws. Most bills will be considered in three readings, while legislation on the ratification or denunciation of international treaties will be considered in two readings.
The first reading will focus on a bill’s goals, objectives and main provisions, as well as its potential social, economic, legal, environmental and other consequences. The second reading will consider amendments submitted by deputies, committees and party factions. The third reading will generally be limited to amendments needed to bring a draft law into compliance with the Constitution and legislation, eliminate contradictions and address editorial or legal-technical issues. Substantive changes will not be introduced at this stage.
Parliamentary opposition receives procedural guarantees
The regulations also establish procedures for the parliamentary majority and opposition. A political party holding the largest number of deputy mandates is recognized as the majority. Political parties represented in the Kurultai but not part of the majority may form a parliamentary opposition.
The opposition will have specific procedural rights. It may initiate hearings at least once during each session and determine the agenda of a government hour at least twice per session. The regulations also provide for opposition representation in the leadership of permanent committees.
The framework also regulates the work of party factions and deputy groups, requiring at least 15 deputies to establish a deputy group. The new rules thus combine procedures governing legislative work with requirements concerning deputies’ individual conduct and accountability.
