Non-Compliance of Kazakhstan's Criminal Law With International Anti-Corruption Standards

Abstract

Background: Since the adoption of the new Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, the norms regulating criminal liability for corruption offences have already been repeatedly amended and supplemented to meet the requirements of anti-corruption international legal obligations. However, some inconsistencies pose a challenge to the successful eradication of corruption. Methods: The study employed various methodologies, including the historical and legal method, statistical analysis, formal logic, and system analysis and synthesis. Eradication of corruption is a priority task of the National Development Plan of Kazakhstan. The analysis of anti-corruption criminal legal norms of foreign countries has shown the variability of fixing the norms of international conventions in national criminal law. However, the general essence of these norms remains unchanged. Based on a critical approach to the analysis of corruption prevention by Kazakhstani criminal law norms, the paper substantiates the need for further correction to bring them in line with international anti-corruption standards. Results and Conclusions: The article proposes measures to strengthen corruption prevention by improving the anti-corruption norms of Kazakhstan's criminal law in light of international requirements.