Assembly of People of Kazakhstan

The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (AKP) is a national political body in Kazakhstan consisting of delegates of the Regional Assemblies of the People.[1] Its task is to represent the various ethnic groups that make up the population of the multiethnic Central Asian state of Kazakhstan at national level. It also aims to strengthen ethnic and religious peaceful coexistence and promote tolerance in the society.[2]

Established in 1995, the APK is a presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities.[3]

The APK consists of 384 representatives of all ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan drawn from the Regional Assemblies of the People.[4] The law provides that all APK decisions be considered by public authorities and civil society institutions; APK Deputies participate in the legislative process and can propose legislation.[4] APK Deputies elect 9 members to the Majilis (lower house of Parliament) of Kazakhstan and the APK vets all Parliamentary laws to ensure that they are in conformity with Article 39 of the 1995 Constitution’s criteria defining ethnic harmony and equality.[4]

Role of APK in Kazakhstan

APK plays an important role in ensuring the religious freedom and human rights in Kazakhstan.[4] Its main task is "ensuring the consolidation of the interests of ethnic groups on the basis of partnership between government and civil society also organizing an effective inter-ethnic cooperation and the formation of single political, legal and cultural fields.”[4]

Annual Sessions

The agenda of the 22nd session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan held in April 2015 was defined as mangilik el: One Country – One Destiny. During the session the Kazakh President proposed to introduce a national day of gratitude among ethnic groups and towards the Kazakhs and to mark it on March 1, the day the APK was established.[5]

On April 26, 2016, the 24th annual session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan took place in Astana. The session was dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the country’s independence. The theme of the 2016 session was "Independence. Consent. Nation united future."[6]

The theme of the 27th session of the APK (April 29, 2019) was ‘Formula of Peace and Harmony: Unity and Modernization.’ The conference was held in Nur-Sultan (former Astana), Kazakhstan.[7]

20th Anniversary

On April 22, 2015 Kazakhstan celebrated 20 years of APK.[3] On April 24, 2013, Nazarbayev addressed the 20th APK session and stated, "The Kazakh land has united more than 100 ethnic groups. Of course, good cement is needed to turn all this multi-ethnic diversity into a united nation. Today, the main factor cementing the nation is the Kazakh language, the state language."[3]

References
  1. "Official site of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan". Assembly.kz. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  2. "Kazakhstan's assembly to continue interethnic, religious harmony building in wake of recent political changes".
  3. "Opinion: Kazakhstan's unique Assembly of People maintains ethnic harmony". upi.com/.
  4. "Kazakhstan to Counter Islamic Extremism with Education". www.silkroadreporters.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-03. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  5. "Assembly of People of Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Interethnic Harmony". astanatimes.com.
  6. "Consolidation of Society around Common Values in Focus of Assembly of the People Session". astanatimes.com.
  7. "27th Session of Assembly of People of Kazakhstan". kazakh-tv.kz.
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