Kazakhstan to allow broader public use of the national flag

Kazakhstan is set to allow citizens to freely use the national flag, including displaying it on residential buildings such as balconies. A draft law proposing amendments and additions to the resolution “On Approving the Rules for the Use (Installation and Placement) of the State Flag, State Emblem and Their Images, as well as the Text of the National Anthem of the Republic of Kazakhstan” has been published for public discussion.

The new draft law, developed by the Ministry of Culture and Information, provides for amendments to the resolution adopted on October 2, 2007. Under the proposed changes, individuals and legal entities will be allowed to use the state flag on residential and non-residential buildings, including balconies and venues for ceremonial events, in order to express patriotism, national identity, and support for the country’s achievements.

The aim of the draft is to modernize the system of using state symbols in fostering patriotism in Kazakhstan.

According to the proposed rules, the state flag may be installed at a 45-degree angle. Regardless of its size, the flag must comply with national standards.

Individuals and legal entities will not be permitted to use the state flag in violation of national standards. The flag must not be used in a disrespectful manner. It is also specified that flags installed on private homes must be placed at a height of at least three meters.

Night-time illumination of the flag will not be mandatory. The flag must not touch the ground, water, or floor. It is prohibited to use it as clothing, curtains, bedding, or for advertising purposes.

If the flag is installed vertically, the national ornament must be positioned at the top. Citizens will be allowed to use the flag in specific contexts, such as sporting events, but unauthorized commercial use will be prohibited.

It is also emphasized that damaged, worn, patched, torn, dirty, faded, or wrinkled flags that could undermine the symbolic value of the national flag must not be used.

For reference, in Kazakhstan, the use of the national flag by citizens in private settings had previously been restricted. The flag was typically displayed only on government buildings, at international events, or during official ceremonies. Personal use could be interpreted as disrespect or unlawful use, potentially leading to administrative liability.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev previously instructed authorities to review the rules governing the use of the national flag and to allow citizens to display it at their homes. Amendments to the 2007 government resolution were introduced on November 27, 2020.

However, those earlier changes were implemented mainly at the level of a government resolution, and in practice, the boundary between acceptable use and disrespect remained unclear. For instance, rules on how to properly secure flags on balconies or dispose of worn-out flags were not clearly defined.

The new draft seeks to provide a clearer definition of what constitutes “disrespect” and to protect citizens from unintended penalties.