Kazakhstan President vows more democratic reforms

Kazakhstan’s President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday delivered a State of the Nation Address at the joint session of both chambers of the Kazakh Parliament and presented his vision for the further development of Kazakhstan.

The head of state proposed a number of initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of public administration, ensuring the rights, freedoms and security of citizens, creating a developed and inclusive economy, modernizing social security of the population, as well as strengthening the country’s regions, the president’s official website said.

Tokayev called for an easing of restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.

This happens, three months after thousands were detained at opposition protests in the authoritarian country.

Kazakh citizens currently need to obtain official permission to hold demonstrations, a legal stipulation that rights groups say gives authorities a veto on the constitutional right to free assembly.

Tokayev called for improved legislation to allow peaceful rallies.

“If (demonstrations are) peaceful actions that are not aimed at breaking the law and breaching the peace, then it is important to make concessions and give permission to hold demonstrations according to the law,” he said in the speech, broadcast to the nation on television.

He added that special areas should be allocated for protests that are in city centres.

Tokayev, 66, became president after the shock resignation in March of long-ruling leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.