Washington, DC, Sept. 29, 2008-The Institute on Religion and Public Policy condemns the passage of a draconian law regulating the practice of religion by Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament on Sept. 24. The bill is expected to pass the senate within days.

The draft law, meant to amend several provisions in Kazakhstan's current religion law, passed its first reading in the lower house, or Majlis, in June. An Institute analysis
(http://religionandpolicy.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=54&Itemid=240) of the law showed it would be a severe setback for religious freedom in the country by making it more difficult for religious believers and organizations to register, function legally and worship.

For example, religious communities would only be allowed to register if they include 50 adult citizen members. In addition, the law would require the state to review the religious beliefs of communities, ban all unregistered activity and make it impossible for groups that work in several regions, such as Orthodox and Catholic Church dioceses, to register.

Even more alarming, children would need written permission to participate in any religious youth activity, and believers would only be able to share their beliefs in public places with the consent of all citizens present.

According to Forum 18 news, the Majlis has refused to make public the text of the law it passed last week. It is now unclear what version of the law will go to the senate for approval. Kazakhstan is due to assume the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, a group that monitors how well its members uphold human rights.

"The draft law has rightly drawn strong rebukes from religious leaders and activists in Kazhakhstan," said Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. "We urge the Kazakh government to halt the progress of this draft law, which will seriously impair the nation's human rights record. The international community, especially the member states of the OSCE, must speak out against this legislation, for not doing so will undermine the authority of the OSCE as a legitimate monitor and upholder of human rights."


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About Institute on Religion and Public Policy
Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.

The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights - especially the right of religious freedom - and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom.