Important not to give political colour to inter-ethnic relations, says Kazakh President

Calling upon the people of Kazakhstan to to always remember "the great sacrifices of our people and the peoples of the whole CIS [post-Soviet space]", President Nursultan Nazarbayev said it is important not to give political colour to inter-ethnic relations.

Inaugurating the XXI Session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan on the theme of "Strategy Kazakhstan- 2050 : A culture of peace, spirituality and harmony", at the Palace of Independence here on Friday, President Nazarbayev said: "Inter-ethnic relations, civil equality, language policies - none of these, are fields for political games. These are human destinies."

He cautioned and warned that these issues can be "cynically exploited in a struggle for power" by political groups, and that such manifestations should never be ignored, as "they are dangerous both for the country and for its every citizen."

"Everyone should understand that chauvinism and nationalism are separated from outright neo-fascism by a very thin line, which is easy to cross," Nazarbayev said.

Laying stress on the importance of educating the younger generation about their priorities, he said: "It is important that the memory of the victory over Fascism never fades."

The main element of the political system of Kazakhstan represents the interests of all ethnic groups and ensures the protection of rights and freedoms of citizens regardless of their nationality, and this became the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan on March 1, 1995, on the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The idea was expressed by the President back in 1992 during the first Forum of People of Kazakhstan.

The activity of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan is aimed at implementation of the state policy, ensuring social and political stability in the country and increase of effectiveness of cooperation between state and civil society organizations in the sphere of interethnic relations.

The assembly serves as a constitutional body headed by its Chairman i.e. the president of the country.

The legal status of the assembly is defined by the Law of Kazakhstan

"On the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan". The provision of the Law on the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan regulates the order of its formation, structure and executive bodies, goals of its activity, main tasks, authorities and specifics of organization of cooperation with state agencies and non-governmental organizations, mechanisms of participation and development of the state policy in the sphere of inter-ethnic relations.

Friday's event was attended by members of the assembly from all regions, the chairmen of national and regional ethno-cultural associations, Members of Parliament, heads of central executive bodies, political parties, religious organizations, NGOs, diplomatic missions of foreign states as well as representatives of scientific, creative and media circles.