The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстан Республикасының Конституциясы, Qazaqstan Respuwblïkasınıñ Konstïtuwcïyası; Russian: Конституция Республики Казахстан, Konstitutsuya Respubliki Kazakhstan) is the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4. The Constitution was approved by referendum on 30 August 1995.
The preamble of the constitution emphasizes the importance of "freedom, equality and concord" and Kazakhstan's role in the international community.
"We, the people of Kazakhstan,
united by a common historic fate,
creating a state on the indigenous Kazakh land,
considering ourselves a peace-loving and civil society,
dedicated to the ideals of freedom, equality and concord,
wishing to take a worthy place in the world community,
realizing our high responsibility before the present and future generations,
proceeding from our sovereign right,
accept this Constitution."
Article 1 establishes the state as a secular democracy that values individual "life, rights and freedoms." It outlines social and "political stability, economic development," patriotism, and democracy as the principles upon which the Government serves. This is the first article in which the Parliament is mentioned.
Article 2 states that Kazakhstan is a unitary state and the government is presidential. The government has jurisdiction over, and is responsible for, all territory in Kazakhstan. Regional, political divisions, including location of the capital, are left open to lower level legislation. "Republic of Kazakhstan" and "Kazakhstan" are considered one and the same.