Members of independent unions have been dismissed, transferred to lower- paying jobs, threatened, and intimidated. The constitution significantly constrains the independence of the judiciary. The president appoints three of the seven members of the constitutional council, including the chairman. All judges are appointed directly by the president. Rights to an attorney and a public trial have been denied political detainees.
Corruption is evident at every level of the judicial system.
There is no legal discrimination against women, but traditional cultural practices limit their role in society and in owning or managing businesses and property. Women are severely underrepresented in higher positions in government and in the leadership of state enterprises and overrepresented in low-paying and menial jobs. Under the 1995 constitution, private property is an inviolable right. Basic rights of entrepreneurship are codified, but bureaucratic hurdles and the control of large segments of the economy by clan elites and government officials who are loyal to President Nazarbayev impede equal opportunity and fair competition.