international human rights monitoring body; warned the constitutional amendments pave the way toward authoritarian rule by concentrating legislative power in a single chamber dependent on presidential initiative

FIDH argued that eliminating the Senate removes the primary legislative check on the executive, and that the Kurultai's design makes it more responsive to presidential initiative than the outgoing bicameral system. Noted that the 87% referendum result was secured under conditions that did not allow for genuine democratic deliberation.

“Kazakhstan constitutional amendments pave the way toward authoritarian rule.”