On the compliance with ethical norms and standards

Compliance with ethical standards occupies a special position in the public service system. In order to define rules and norms aimed at shaping the culture and behavior of civil servants, the Code of Honor of Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Rules of Offical Ethics of Civil Servants) was approved in 2005 by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Head of State set  the task of introducing new ethical rules by developing a new Code of Ethics for the civil service, as well as introducing the post of Ethics Commissioner. The result of this task was the new Ethical Code of Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Rules of Official Ethics of civil servants), approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 29, 2015 No 153 “On measures to further improve ethical standards and rules of conduct of civil servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, which entered into force on January 1, 2016.

The Code of Ethics is aimed at strengthening public confidence in government agencies, forming a high culture of relationships in the civil service and preventing cases of unethical behavior of civil servants. The Code of Ethics defines general standards of conduct for civil servants, standards of behavior during off-duty hours, behavior in official relations, as well as public speaking, including in the media. The norms of the Code of Ethics define special but at the same time feasible requirements for the moral and ethical appearance of civil servants.

Public service is an expression of special trust on the part of society and the state and places high demands on the moral and ethical appearance of civil servants. The society constantly criticizes the civil servant. Therefore, civil servants, through their modest behavior, responsibility, and professionalism, need to maintain and strengthen public confidence in the civil service, the state as a whole and its institutions. The Code of Ethics provides for measures to prevent situations that lead to violations of ethical standards and arise from corruption phenomena. Therefore, today, appropriate control is being conducted over the work, actions and work ethics of civil servants.

Civil servants are the face of the state and in the eyes of society should be an example of exemplary behavior in public places.