President Tokayev: No one has the right to dictate language choice in Kazakhstan

Tokayev affirms language freedom in the country / Photo: Reuters, photo editor: Milosh Muratovskiy

Speaking at the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed the right of citizens to choose their language of communication, warning that any attempt to impose a different one will be met with legal consequences.

He noted that about 80% of high school graduates now take university entrance exams (National Unified Testing) in Kazakh, and more than 70% of first-graders are starting their education in the Kazakh language.

«No one in Kazakhstan has the right to dictate what language people should use in personal communication or public speech,» Tokayev said. «Any provocative actions aimed at sowing discord or destabilizing the country will be suppressed and punished by law. And when I speak of instigators, I mean not only so-called ‘homegrown’ ones, but also those acting from abroad, under orders and with funding from foreign organizations.»

The president reminded the audience that during last year’s National Kurultai — a nationwide congress designed to foster dialogue between the government and the people — he laid out core national values: unity, patriotism, independence and harmony. He warned that those who work to divide society would be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, while citizens who promote unity and peace would be especially honored.