On languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Updated Unofficial translation

Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 11 July 1997 No. 151.

      Unofficial translation
      Footnote. Throughout the text numbers “I-VI” after the words “Chapter” are substituted respectively with the numbers “1-6” in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 22 December 2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005).

      This Law shall establish legal bases of functioning of languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the duties of the state in creation of conditions for their study and development, shall provide equally respect treatment to all, without exception, languages used in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Chapter 1. General provisions

Article 1. Basic definitions, used in this Law

      In this Law shall be used the following basic definitions:

      1) diaspora – part of people (ethnic group), living outside of the country of its historical origin;

      1-1) authentic translation of the text - translation of the text into another language, invariably preserving the meaning and content of the original;

      2) onomastics –a branch of linguistics, that studies the proper names, history of their origin and transformation;

      3) onomastic Commission - an advisory and consultative body that elaborates proposals on formation of unified approaches on the naming and renaming of administrative-territorial units, components settlements, airports, ports, railway stations, railway stations, subway stations, bus stations, coach stations, physiographic and other objects of government property on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, refinement and change of the transcription of their names and assigning the proper names of persons to state legal entities, legal entities with the participation of the state, as well as to the restoration and preservation of historical names as an integral part of the historical-cultural heritage of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      3-1) the authorized body in the field of onomastics - the central executive body that manages and intersectoral coordination in the field of onomastics;

      4) spelling - proofing, system of rules that determine a uniform way of speech (words and grammatical forms) in writing;

      5) Republican Terminological Commission - a consultative and advisory body under the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which develops proposals in the field of terminological vocabulary of the Kazakh language in all sectors of the economy, science, technology and culture;

      6) toponymy - section of onomastics, studying names of geographical objects, patterns of their occurrence, change and functioning;

      7) Excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication);

      8) the authorized body in the field of language development - the central executive body that manages and intersectoral coordination in the field of language development.

      Footnote. Article 1 is in the wording of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); as amended by the Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 30, 2021 № 34-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated November 24, 2021 № 75-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect upon the expiration of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 2. Subject of regulation of this Law

      The subject of regulation of this Law shall be social relations arising in connection with the use of languages in activities of governmental, non-governmental organizations and local government.

      This Law shall not regulate the use of languages in interpersonal relations and in religious associations.

Article 3. Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages

      Footnote. Heading as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

      The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be based on the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and consist of this Law, and other regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan relating to the use and development of languages.

      The legislation on languages shall apply to citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreigners and persons without citizenship, permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Article 3 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 4. State language of the Republic of Kazakhstan

      State language of the republic of Kazakhstan shall be Kazakh language.

      State language shall be the language of public administration, legislation, judicial and administrative procedure, acting in all fields of public relations on the territory of the state.

      The duty of every citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be the mastery of the state language that shall be the most important factor in the consolidation of the people of Kazakhstan.

      The government and other governmental, local representative and executive bodies shall be obliged to:

      fully develop the state language in the Republic of Kazakhstan, strengthen its international authority;

      create all necessary organizational, material and technical conditions for unrestricted and free mastery of the state language by all citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

      assist to Kazakh diaspora in preservation and development of their native language.

Article 5. The use of Russian language

      In governmental organizations and local government on a level with Kazakh language officially shall be used Russian language.

Article 6. The state care of languages

      Every citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be entitled to use their native language, freely choose the language of communication, upbringing, education and creative work.

      The state shall promote conditions for the study and development of languages of Kazakhstan people.

      In places of compact residence of national groups upon carrying out of measures can be used their languages.

Article 7. Inadmissibility of prevention to the functioning of languages

      In the Republic of Kazakhstan shall not be permitted infringements of rights of citizens according to their language.

      Actions of officials, hindering the functioning and learning the state and other languages in Kazakhstan, shall entail liability in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Article 7 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 27.06.2007 № 315 (shall be enforced from the date of official publication).

Chapter 2. Language in governmental and non-governmental organizations and local government

Article 8. The use of languages

      Language of work and the proceedings of governmental bodies, organizations and bodies of local government of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be the state language, on a level with Kazakh officially shall be used Russian language.

      In work of non-governmental organizations shall be used state language and other languages if necessary.

Article 9. Language of acts of governmental bodies

      Acts of governmental bodies shall be developed and adopted in state language, and if appropriate, their development can be conducted in Russian with the provision, if possible, of its translate into other languages.

Article 10. Language of maintaining documents

      The conduct of the accounting, statistical, financial and technical documentation in the system of governmental bodies, organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regardless from the form of ownership, shall be provided in state and Russian languages.

      Footnote. Article 10 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.06.2006 № 146 (the order of the entry into force see article 2); dated 24.11.2015 № 422-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2016).

Article 11. Language of responses to appeals of citizens

      Responses of governmental and non-governmental organizations to appeals of citizens and other documents shall be given in state language or in the language of appeal.

Article 12. Language in the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies

      In the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as in all types of military and paramilitary forces, organizations of the state control and supervision, the legal protection of citizens and law enforcement agencies shall be ensured the functioning of the state and Russian languages.

Article 13. Language of court proceeding

      Legal proceedings in the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be conducted in state language, and in legal proceedings on a level with state language shall be used Russian language or other languages if necessary.

Article 14. Language of process on cases concerning administrative offences

      Process on cases concerning administrative offences shall be carried on in state language and in other languages if necessary.

Article 15. Language of transactions

      All transactions of individuals and legal entities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, committed in writing, shall be in state and Russian languages with the application, if necessary, of translation into other languages.

      Transactions with foreign individuals and legal entities, committed in writing, shall be in state and on mutually acceptable language.

      Footnote. Article 15 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.06.2006 № 146 (the order of the entry into force see article 2); dated 24.11.2015 № 422-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2016).

Chapter 3. Language in the field of education, science, culture and mass media

      Footnote. The title of Chapter 3 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 27.06.2007 № 320 (the order of the entry into force see article 2).

Article 16. Language in the field of education

      In the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be provided creation of children's pre-school organizations operating in state language, and in places of compact residence of national groups in their languages.

      Language of education, upbringing in children's homes and equated to them organizations shall be defined by local executive bodies, taking into account national composition of their population.

      The Republic of Kazakhstan shall ensure acquisition of primary, basic secondary, general secondary, technical and professional, post-secondary, higher and postgraduate education in state, Russian and, if necessary and possible, in other languages. In educational institutions state language and Russian language shall be compulsory academic subjects and shall be included in the list of disciplines, included in the document on education.

      Footnote. The title and article as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 27.06.2007 № 320 (the order of the entry into force see article 2).

Article 17. Language in the field of science and culture

      In the Republic of Kazakhstan in the filed of science, including the design and thesis defence, shall be ensured functioning of state and Russian languages.

      Cultural events shall be held in state and in other languages if necessary.

      Footnote. The title and Article as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 27.06.2007 № 320 (the order of the entry into force see article 2).

Article 18. Language of print and mass media

      The Republic of Kazakhstan shall ensure functioning of state and other languages in printed editions and mass media.

      With the purpose of creation necessary language environment andproper functioning of state language, the volume of television and radio programs on TV, radio channel, regardless of their ownership forms, in state language on time must not be less than total volume of television and radio programs in other languages.

      Footnote. Article 18 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 18.01.2012 № 546-IV (shall be enforced upon expiry of thirty calendar days after its first official publication).

Chapter 4. Language in the names of settlements, proper nouns, visual information

Article 19. Procedure for the use of toponymic names

      Footnote. Heading as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

      Traditional, historically formed Kazakh names of administrative-territorial units, constituent parts of settlements, as well as other physical and geographical objects are stated in the state language.

      Footnote. Article 19 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect upon the expiration of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 20. Spelling of personal names, patronymics and surnames

      Spelling of personal names, patronymics, surnames in official documents must correspond to the legislation and regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Article 21. Language of requisites and visual information

      The texts of details and visual information shall be presented in compliance with the norms of spelling and authentic translation of the text.

      Texts of seals and stamps of governmental bodies shall contain their names in state language.

      Texts of seals, stamps of organizations, irrespective from forms of property, shall be made in state and Russian languages.

      Forms of state organizations shall be set out in the state and Russian languages, if necessary, and also in other languages.

      Forms of non-governmental organizations shall be set out in the state language, if necessary, and also in Russian and (or) other languages.

      Signboards of state organizations shall be placed in the state and Russian languages, if necessary, and also in other languages.

      Signboards of non-governmental organizations shall be placed in the state language, if necessary, and also in Russian and (or) other languages. Trademarks protected in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and used on signboards of non-governmental organizations, shall be set out unchanged.

      Inscriptions on road signs shall be stated in the state language unless otherwise provided by international treaties ratified by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Announcements, advertisements, price lists, price tags, menus, signs and other visual information shall be posted in the state language, if necessary, also in Russian and (or) other languages, unless otherwise provided by the legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Commodity labels (tabs) with special information, marking, instructions to goods produced in Kazakhstan must contain the necessary information in state and Russian languages.

      Commodity labels (tabs) with special information, marking, instructions to the goods of foreign production shall be provided with the translation into state and Russian languages at the expense of means of importing organizations.

      All texts of details and visual information shall be arranged in the following order: on the left or above - in the state language, on the right or below - in Russian, they shall be written in letters of the same size. As necessary, the texts of details and visual information may be provided additionally in other languages. Herein, font sizes shall not exceed the requirements established by regulatory legal acts. Oral information, announcements, and advertisements shall be given in the state, Russian and, if necessary, in other languages.

      Footnote. Article 21 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (refer to Article 2 for the enforcement procedure).

Article 22. Language in the field of communications and informatization

      In the field of communications within the Republic of Kazakhstan, the functioning of the state and Russian languages shall be ensured. Postal and telegraph shipments outside the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be made in accordance with established international rules.

      Owners of informatization objects shall be obliged to create and put into circulation on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan objects of informatization of state bodies and the quasi-public sector, intended for the formation of state electronic information resources, the performance of state functions and the provision of public services, in the state, Russian languages and, if necessary, in other languages.

      Footnote. Article 22 - as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 14.07.2022 № 141-VII (shall come into effect ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Chapter 5. Legal protection of languages

Article 23. Governmental protection of languages

      State and all other languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be under governmental protection. Government bodies shall create necessary conditions for functioning and development of these languages.

      Development of languages shall be provided by documents of the system of state planning of the Republic of Kazakhstan, providing priority of state language and the phased transition of office work in Kazakh language.

      List of professions, specialty and positions that require the knowledge of state language in a certain amount and in accordance with the qualification requirements shall be established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Article 23 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005); dated 21.01.2013 No 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication).

Article 24. Responsibility for violation of legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages

      The first heads of state bodies or heads of administrations, as well as individuals and legal entities guilty of violating the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages, are liable in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Refusal by an official to adopt appeals of individuals and legal entities, motivated by ignorance of state language, any interference in use of state and other languages in the field of their functioning, as well as violation of requirements on location of details and visual information shall entail responsibility provided for by laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Article 24 is in the wording of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 30, 2020 № 393-VI (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 24-1. Competence of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan

      Footnote. Article 24-1 is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 24, 2021 № 75-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 24-2. Competence of the authorized body in the field of onomastics

      Authorized body in the field of onomastics:

      1) ensures the activities of the republican onomastic commission;

      2) coordinates the activities of onomastic commissions;

      2-1) develops and approves a model regulation on regional onomastic commissions and onomastic commissions of cities of republican significance, the capital;

      3) exercise other powers provided for by this Law, other laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, acts of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Chapter 5 is supplemented by Article 24-2 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 30, 2021 № 34-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 24, 2021 № 75-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25. Competence of the authorized body in the field of language development

      Footnote. The heading of Article 25 is as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 30, 2021 № 34-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

      Authorized body shall:

      1) provide realization of unified governmental policy in the field of languages development;

      2) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication).

      3) carry out state control over compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages in central state bodies and their departments, local executive bodies of regions, cities of republican significance, and the capital;

      4) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication).;

      5) organize informational, methodological support of activities for implementation of unified state policy in the field of languages development;

      5-1) ensure activities of the Republican terminological and onomastic commissions;

      6) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 30, 2021 № 34-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication);
      7) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.12.2014 № 269-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2015);

      8) exercise other powers provided for by this Law, other laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, acts of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Article 25 is in the wording of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.01.2011 № 378-IV (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication); dated 05.07.2011 № 452-IV (shall be enforced from 13.10.2011); dated 10.07.2012 № 36-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication); dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication ); dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication); dated 29.12.2014 № 269-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2015); dated April 30, 2021 № 34-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25-1. Onomastic commissions

      Footnote. Heading - as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 24, 2021 № 75-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

      1. Under the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republican Onomastic Commission is formed, with local executive bodies of regions, cities of republican significance, the capital, respectively, onomastic commissions of regions, cities of republican significance, the capital are formed.

      1-1. The competence of the Republican Onomastic Commission includes:

      1) development of recommendations and proposals on issues of onomastics;

      2) issuance of conclusions on the name, renaming of regions, districts and cities, as well as clarification and change in the transcription of their names;

      3) issuance of conclusions on naming airports, ports, railway stations, railway stations, metro stations, bus stations, bus stations, physical and geographical and other objects of state property on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as renaming, clarifying and changing the transcription of their names and assigning their own names of persons to state legal entities, legal entities with the participation of the state;

      4) issuance of conclusions on the name, renaming of districts in the city, constituent parts of cities of regional significance, as well as clarification and change in the transcription of their names;

      5) coordination of the conclusions of the onomastic commissions of cities of republican significance, the capital by name, renaming of districts in the city, constituent parts of cities of republican significance, the capital, as well as clarifying and changing the transcription of their names.

      2. Competence of regional onomastic commissions shall be:

      1) Issuance of conclusions on naming, renaming of villages, settlements, rural districts, as well as refining and changing transcription of their names;

      2) Issuance of conclusions on naming, renaming of constituent parts of cities of regional significance, town, village, rural district, as well as refining and changing the transcription of their names.

      3) Competence of onomastic commissions of cities of republican significance, capital shall refer issue of reports by naming, renaming of districts in cities, the constituent parts of cities of republican significance, capital as well as refining and changing the transcription of their names after coordination with the republican onomastic commission.

      4) Local representative and executive bodies’ decision on naming, renaming, as well as refining and changing of transcription of names of administrative-territorial units, the constituent parts of settlements shall be accepted only at presence of positive conclusion of relevant onomastic commissions.

      Footnote. Chapter 5 is supplemented with the Article 25-1 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005); is in the wording of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 24, 2021 № 75-VII (shall be enforced ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25-2. Competence of local executive body of an oblast, city of republican significance, capital

      Footnote. The title of Article 25-2 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication).

      Local executive body of an oblast, city of republican significance, capital shall:

      1) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication);

      2) carry out state control over compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages by territorial divisions of central state bodies and their departments, local executive bodies of the region, city of republican significance, the capital, district, city of regional significance and the offices of the district Akim in the city, the offices of the village Akim, settlement, rural district;

      2-1) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 24.05.2018 № 156-VI (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication);
      3) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication);
      3-1) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 29.10.2015 № 376-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2016).

      4) carry out complex of measures of regional significance directed to development of state and other languages;

      5) provide activity of regional onomastic commission, onomastic commissions of city of republican significance, the capital;

      6) perform in the interests of local public administration other powers assigned to local executive bodies by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. The Law is supplemented with the Article 25-2 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.07.2011 № 452-IV (shall be enforced from 13.10.2011); dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication); dated 29.10.2015 № 376-V (shall be enforced from 01.01.2016); dated 24.05.2018 №. 156-VI (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25-3. Competence of local executive body of a district (city of regional significance)

      Local executive body of a district (city of regional significance) shall:

      1) is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication);

      2) carry out activities of district (city of regional significance) level, aimed at the development of the state and other languages;

      3) make proposals to executive authorities of regions on naming and renaming of villages, settlements, rural districts, as well as changing in their transcription;

      4) carry out in the interests of local public administration other powers assigned to local executive bodies by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. The Law is supplemented with the article 25-3 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.07.2011 № 452-IV (shall be enforced from 13.10.2011); dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); dated 03.07.2013 № 124-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication).

Article 25-4. State control over compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages

      Footnote. The Law shall be supplemented by Article 25-4 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.01.2011 № 378-IV (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication); excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25-5. Criteria of onomastic work

      Criteria of onomastic work on naming and renaming of administrative-territorial units, components settlements, airports, ports, railway stations, subway stations, bus stations, coach stations, physiographic and other objects of state ownership in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as refining and changing of the transcription of their names and assigning proper names of persons by state legal entities, legal entities with participation of the state shall be:

      1) accounting of historical, geographic, natural and cultural particularities;

      2) compliance with the norms of the literary language and spelling;

      3) single assignment of the same title to settlements, parts of settlements within one administrative-territorial unit;

      4) renaming, changing of assigned proper name of a person not earlier than ten years from the date of naming, assigning (changing) of a name;

      5) assignment of proper names of prominent statesmen and public figures, scientists, workers of culture and other persons who have merits to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the world community, not earlier than five years from the date of their death, except for cases of assigning names of individuals who have shown heroism and courage, who have made a particularly significant contribution to strengthening the independence of the state.

      Footnote. Chapter 5 is supplemented with the Article 25-5 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 21.01.2013 № 72-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of three months after its first official publication); as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 05.05.2017 № 60-VI (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated 26.12.2019 № 289-VІ (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication); dated 29.12.2021 № 94-VII (shall come into effect upon the expiration of ten calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 25-6. The procedure for conducting state control in the field of language development

      1. State control in the form of inspections shall be conducted by the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital.

      The subjects of state control in the field of language development shall be the state bodies specified in subparagraph 3) of Article 25 and subparagraph 2) of Article 25-2 of this Law (hereinafter - the inspected subjects).

      The inspection in relation to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be carried out subject to compliance with the requirements stipulated by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan”.

      Inspections shall be divided into periodic and unscheduled.

      Inspections shall be carried out with a visit to the subject being inspected.

      2. The basis for the inclusion of the inspected subject in the semi-annual periodic inspection plan is the criterion approved by the authorized body in the field of language development, as well as the following sources of information:

      1) results of previous inspections;

      2) results of monitoring reporting and information;

      3) the results of analysis of the Internet resources of state bodies.

      Periodic inspections shall be conducted no more than once a year in accordance with the semi-annual plan for periodic inspections approved by the first head of the authorized body in the field of language development and the region Akim, the city of republican significance, and the capital.

      The semi-annual plan for conducting periodic inspections shall be approved no later than December 1 of the year preceding the year of the periodic inspection, and no later than June 1 of the current calendar year and shall be posted on the Internet resources until December 20 of the year preceding the year of the periodic inspection, and until June 20 of the current calendar year.

      The semi-annual periodic inspection plan includes:

      1) number and date of the plan approval;

      2) name of the state body;

      3) name of the subject being inspected;

      4) location of the subject (object) being inspected;

      5) timing of the inspection;

      6) signature of the person authorized to sign the plan.

      Amendments and additions to the semi-annual plan for conducting periodic inspections shall be carried out in cases of liquidation, reorganization of the subject of control, change of its name or redistribution of powers between the subjects of control, as well as in the event of an emergency of a natural or man-made nature, the introduction of a state of emergency in cases of occurrence or threat of the spread of epidemics, outbreaks of quarantine facilities and especially dangerous pests, infectious, parasitic diseases, poisoning, radiation accidents and related restrictions.

      If the cases specified in part five of this paragraph occur, the periodic inspection may be extended or suspended.

      3. An unscheduled inspection shall be conducted:

      1) in the presence of confirmed requests received from individuals and legal entities about violation of the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages;

      2) for the purpose of monitoring the fulfillment of requirements to eliminate identified violations specified in the report on the results of the inspection;

      3) on behalf of the prosecutor.

      Unscheduled inspections shall not be conducted in cases of anonymous requests. An unscheduled inspection shall be subject to facts and circumstances identified in relation to the subjects being inspected and which served as the basis for appointing an unscheduled inspection.

      4. An official of the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital, when conducting an inspection, shall have the right to:

      1) unhindered access to the territory and premises of the inspected subject (object) in accordance with the subject of the inspection upon presentation of documents specified in paragraph 8 of this Article;

      2) receive documents (information) on paper and electronic media or copies thereof for inclusion in the report on the results of the inspection, as well as access to automated databases (information systems) in accordance with the subject of the inspection;

      3) carry out audio, photo, and video recording;

      4) attract specialists, consultants, and experts from state bodies and subordinate organizations, and other organizations.

      5. When conducting an inspection, the inspected subjects or their authorized representatives shall have the right:

      1) not to allow an official of the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and capital, who arrived to conduct the inspection, to perform the inspection in the following cases:

      exceeding or expiration of the deadlines specified in the act on the appointment of the inspection (additional act on the extension of the period, if any) that do not correspond to the deadlines established by this Article;

      absence of documents provided for in paragraph 8 of this Article;

      2) to appeal the act on the results of the inspection in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      6. When conducting an inspection, the inspected subjects or their authorized representatives shall be obliged to:

      1) ensure unhindered access of an official of the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, the capital to the territory and premises of the subject (object) being inspected;

      2) provide the official of the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital with documents (information) on paper and electronic media or copies thereof for inclusion in the report on the results of the inspection, as well as access to automated databases (information systems) in accordance with the subject of inspection;

      3) make a note about the receipt of an act on appointing the inspection and the results of the inspection on the day the inspection is completed.

      7. The inspection shall be conducted on the basis of an act on appointing the inspection.

      The act on appointing the inspection shall indicate:

      1) date and number of the act;

      2) name of the state body;

      3) surnames, names, patronymics (if they are indicated in identity documents), and positions of persons authorized to conduct the inspection;

      4) information about specialists, consultants, and experts of state bodies, subordinate and other organizations involved in conducting the inspection;

      5) name of the subject being inspected, its location;

      6) subject of inspection;

      7) type of inspection;

      8) period for conducting the inspection;

      9) the grounds for conducting the inspection;

      10) period under review;

      11) signature of the head of the inspected subject or his authorized person on receipt or refusal to receive the act;

      12) signature of the person authorized to sign the act.

      When conducting an inspection, the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital shall be obliged to notify the inspected subject about the start of the inspection at least one day before its start, indicating the subject of the inspection.

      The beginning of the inspection shall be considered to be the date of delivery of the act on appointing the inspection to the inspected subject.

      8. Officials of the authorized body in the field of language development and the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital, who arrived for inspection, shall be required to present to the inspected subject:

      1) an act on appointing the inspection;

      2) service ID (identification card);

      3) if necessary, permission from the competent authority to visit sensitive facilities.

      9. The period for conducting the inspection shall be established taking into account the subject of the inspection, as well as the volume of works to be done, and should not exceed ten working days.

      The inspection period can be extended only once by no more than fifteen working days. The extension shall be carried out by the decision of the leadership of the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, and the capital.

      Extension of the inspection period shall be formalized by an additional act on the extension of the inspection period with a notification to the inspected subject, which indicates the date and number of the previous act on appointing the inspection and the reasons for the extension.

      A notification on the extension of the inspection period shall be given to the inspected subject one working day before the extension with a notification of delivery.

      10. Based on the results of the inspection, the officials carrying out the inspection shall draw up a report on the results of the inspection.

      The first copy of the act on the results of the inspection in electronic form shall be sent to the state body that carries out activities in the field of state legal statistics and special accounting within its competence, the second copy on paper against signature or in electronic form shall be handed over to the inspected subject (the head or his authorized representative) for familiarization and taking measures to eliminate identified violations and other actions, the third copy remains with the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, the capital.

      11. The act on the results of the inspection shall indicate:

      1) date, time and place of drawing up the act;

      2) name of the state body;

      3) number and date of the act on appointing the inspection (additional act on the extension of the period, if any), on the basis of which the inspection was carried out;

      4) surname, name, patronymic (if it is indicated in the identity document) and position of the person conducting the inspection;

      5) information about specialists, consultants, and experts of state bodies, subordinate and other organizations involved in conducting the inspection;

      6) name of the subject being inspected, its location;

      7) the date and period of the inspection;

      8) type and subject of inspection;

      9) information about the results of the inspection, including the violations identified and their nature;

      10) recommendations on eliminating identified violations of the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages;

      11) information about familiarization or refusal to familiarize with the act, as well as about the persons present during the inspection, their signatures, or a record of refusal to sign;

      12) signature of the official who conducted the inspection.

      Documents related to the results of the inspection and their copies, if available, shall be attached to the act on the results of the inspection.

      12. If there are comments and (or) objections based on the results of the inspection, the inspected subject shall state them in writing within three working days from the date of receipt of the act on the results of the inspection. Comments and (or) objections shall be attached to the act on the results of the inspection, about which a corresponding note is made.

      The authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, capital must consider the comments and (or) objections of the inspected subject about the results of the inspection and give a reasoned response within fifteen working days.

      In case of refusal to accept an act on the results of the inspection, an act shall be drawn up and signed by the official carrying out the inspection and the head of the inspected subject or his authorized representative.

      The subject being inspected shall have the right to refuse to sign the act by giving a written explanation of the reason for refusal.

      13. The end of the inspection period shall be considered to be the day of delivery of the act on the inspection results to the inspected subject no later than date of the inspection completion specified in the act on the inspection appointment (additional act on extension of the period, if any).

      14. The terms of execution of the act on the results of the inspection shall be determined taking into account the circumstances influencing the real possibility of its execution, but not more than thirty calendar days from the date of delivery of the act on the results of the inspection.

      15. When determining the deadlines for the execution of the report on the results of the inspection, the following shall be indicated:

      1) availability of organizational and technical capabilities to eliminate violations at the inspected subject;

      2) deadlines for obtaining mandatory opinions, approvals, and other documents established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan from state bodies.

      16. After the expiration of the period for eliminating violations established in the act on the results of the inspection, the inspected subject, within the period established in the act on the results of the inspection, shall be obliged to provide information on the elimination of identified violations to the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of the republic meanings, the capital.

      In case of failure to provide or incomplete provision of information on the elimination of identified violations, the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, capital shall appoint an unscheduled inspection in accordance with subparagraph 2) of paragraph 3 of this Article.

      The inspected subject shall attach materials proving the fact of elimination of the violation to the information provided on the elimination of the identified violations (if specified in the act on the results of the inspection on the provision of material). In this case, an unscheduled inspection shall not be required.

      17. In case of violation of the rights and legitimate interests of the inspected subject during an inspection, the inspected subject shall have the right to appeal decisions, actions (inaction) of officials of the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of republican significance, capital to a higher official or to the court in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      18. If, as a result of the inspection, the fact of violation by the inspected subject of the requirements established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on languages is revealed, if there is sufficient data indicating signs of an administrative offense, officials of the authorized body in the field of language development or the local executive body of the region, city of the republic meaning, the capital, within the limits of their powers, shall take measures to bring persons who committed violations to responsibility established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

      Footnote. Chapter 5 has been supplemented by Article 25-6 in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 06.04.2024 № 71-VIII (shall be enforced upon expiry of sixty calendar days after the day of its first official publication).

Article 26. Ensuring the execution of this Law

      Footnote. Article 26 is excluded by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 20.12.2004 № 13 (shall be enforced from 01.01.2005).

Chapter 6. The use of languages in relations with foreign countries and international organizations

Article 27. Language in international activities

      Activity of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and representative offices in the Republic of Kazakhstan at international organizations shall be carried out in state language with usage of other languages if necessary.

      Bilateral international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan with foreign governments shall be concluded in state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other languages agreed upon by the parties.

      Bilateral international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan with international organizations and multilateral international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be concluded in languages that are defined by agreement of the negotiating parties.

      Official receptions and other events with representatives of other States in the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be carried out in state language with translation into other languages.

      Footnote. Article 27 as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 30.01.2014 № 168-V (shall be enforced upon expiry of ten calendar days after its first official publication).

      The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

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