KZBlog

The Senate did not debate the amendments to the law that will give Nazarbayev the status of Leader of the Nation. The law now goes on to the President himself who can veto it or sign it into law–or send it to the Constitutional Council to ensure that the law is in accordance with the Constitution. Whether he will approve the law or not is anyone’s guess. In the past he has vetoed similar proposals that glorify the President and there are rumors that from time to time these laws are proposed specifically so that he can turn it down and prove that he is a democrat at heart.

Different aspects of this law seem to be discussed in different places, but Zakon.kz[RU] reprinting a report from Khabar gives the following list. If anyone knows where to find the full text of this law, please do let me know.

1. The First President of Kazakhstan will be given the title, “Leader of the Nation” (Елбасының in Kazakh)
2. He cannot be arrested, detained or investigated for any criminal or civil charges related to his actions as President, during his time as President and after leaving the office.
3. Attempting to assassinate the first President is classified as an act of terrorism
4. Foreign and domestic policies and initiatives are subject to the approval of the first President, which some sources are claiming means that even after he steps down as President he will still have veto power over all laws but again I would like to see the original text of the law before going that far. RFERL reports that Nazarbayev already has veto power over future laws anyway.
5. It will be a crime to deface images of him, insult him publicly or distort biographical facts about him.
6. The property of the President and any family members residing with him cannot be confiscated for any reason, so it’s too bad for Rakhat Aliyev that this law was not passed earlier.
7. The amendments also recommend establishing a Museum of the First President, even though there already is one in the old Administration Building in Astana, and putting a bust of Nazarbayev in the capital.

The law was proposed on May 5th in a speech made in Parliament outside the agenda of that day’s work. On May 12th it passed the lower house and on May 13th, it passed the Senate, making it one of the fastest laws to be passed in the nation’s history.

As to why this law is being proposed, some sources claim that it is in reaction to the recent revolution in Kyrgyzstan. Others believe that Nazarbayev is preparing to step down and this law will clear the way for him to do so without losing influence or being subject to prosecution. Finally, some experts believe that the Kazakhgate trial, involving allegations that the President received bribes in exchange for oil contracts, is reaching a head and these amendments will protect Nazarbayev from prosecution.

Personally, I was most troubled by the reports that this law would apply to his family. If true, I’m not sure I can agree with a law that protects ordinary, unelected civilians so thoroughly. I also worry about what demands the second President will make if such a precedent is established. And further I don’t understand why these amendments seem to repeat already existing laws in so many places.

What do you think of this law, dear readers?