New Constitution confirms ban on death penalty: “Human dignity is inviolable”

Kazakhstan's new constitution confirms an absolute ban on the death penalty, reinforcing the country's commitment to human dignity. The constitution was approved by referendum on March 15, 2026, and went into effect on July 1, 2026.

Article 17 of the document establishes the right to life as an inalienable and inviolable right for every person and explicitly prohibits the death penalty. Article 1 defines human life, rights, and freedoms as the supreme values of the state.

Father Gabriel Jocher, the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kazakhstan and a priest of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary, told Agenzia Fides that the ban is not a new measure but was included in the previous constitution. He stated that from a Christian perspective, the reaffirmation of this ban is a reason for joy because human dignity remains even when a person commits a serious crime. Jocher noted that respecting life does not prevent justice, accountability, or the protection of society.