THE LEGAL STATUS OF SOCIALLY VULNERABLE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION ON THE EXAMPLE OF PERSONS WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF MAJORITY (comparative analysis)

Abstract

The article examines the situation of orphans who have reached 18 years of age. In particular, the
author examines the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other countries in the context of comparing
the provision of state assistance to alumni of orphanages, as well as scientific publications and newspaper
articles.
The total number of orphans in the Republic of Kazakhstan is twenty million children. On June 8,
1994, the Republic of Kazakhstan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this Convention,
the child has the right to life, the right to citizenship and a name, the right to express his opinion, protection
from the government.
In the Kazakhstan there are several organizations and legislations, which support orphans who over
eighteen, in other words the graduate of the orphanage. They are the house of youth, housing and education
legislations, and non-governmental organizations. The House of Youth, like the Children Village
of Family Type, is the part of the international organization, which is called SOS Kinderdorf. This house
accepts the students of children’s villages and graduates of orphanages, residential boarding schools for
orphans and children left without parental care.
Furthermore, there are non-governmental organizations like, association of legal entities, “Association
of Graduates of Orphanages in Kazakhstan”, and “Jastar Uyi” (Home of Youth), which is center for
adaptation and support of graduates of social institutions. These kinds of organizations help graduates.
Although Kazakhstan provides some assistance to graduates of orphanages, or orphans over 18 years
of age, it is nevertheless necessary, according to the author, to make some changes and increase assistance
to reduce problems and challenges that alumni faces on the daily basis.
Key words: orphans, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Constitution of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, citizenship, children’s rights.