UN Experts Criticize Kyrgyzstan’s Restrictions on Religious Freedom
UN experts criticized Kyrgyzstan’s new laws limiting freedom of religion and belief, urging compliance with international standards. The legislation imposes severe restrictions on various freedoms and raises the founding member count for religious communities. Authorities are encouraged to engage in dialogue with affected groups to align these laws with human rights obligations.
On Thursday, UN experts condemned the recent Kyrgyz legislation that imposes restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, urging the government to align its laws with both domestic and international human rights standards. They cautioned that these new laws would significantly curtail freedoms regarding thought, conscience, expression, assembly, and non-discrimination. Moreover, the legislation fails to meet the conditions imposed by international law for permissible restrictions on such rights.
The experts appealed for the Kyrgyz authorities to initiate an open dialogue with minority religious and belief groups whose rights are threatened by these laws. They expressed readiness to assist the Kyrgyz Government in developing legislation that complies with international obligations regarding freedom of religion or belief. The new Law on Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations, along with amendments to the Law on Countering Extremist Activities, were enacted under President Sadyr Japarov’s administration.
These newly adopted laws broaden restrictions related to religious rights, freedoms of expression, and association, introducing civil fines for religious attire in public. Additionally, they mandate that religious communities register every ten years with the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA), and have raised the requirement for founding members from 200 to 500, which poses further barriers to religious groups.
Organizations must now notify local authorities and the SCRA ten business days prior to any religious event. Penalties stipulated in the legislation include fines imposed on individuals and registered religious groups engaging in activities considered unauthorised. The SCRA has also been granted extended powers over registration, oversight, religious education, and the censorship of religious material.
Kanatbek Midin uuly, the Deputy Director of the SCRA, defended the legislation by asserting that it aims to safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights amid the context of enhancing state security and preventing religious extremism. The laws, however, face severe criticism from international observers who argue they contravene established human rights principles.
The relevance of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICCPR) is underscored, asserting that restrictions beyond specified categories are impermissible. Prior drafts of the legislation, formulated by the SCRA, the National Security Committee, and the Interior Ministry, raised concerns among UN officials regarding compliance with human rights obligations.
In September 2024, UN experts noted administrative and judicial harassment against various religious groups in Kyrgyzstan and encouraged the government to take necessary actions to uphold minorities’ rights to cultural and religious practices. The continued oversight of the legislation’s impact remains critical as they are reviewed in light of ICCPR standards.
In conclusion, the UN experts’ condemnation highlights significant concerns regarding the recent legislation in Kyrgyzstan that limits freedom of religion or belief. The new laws, criticized for not complying with international standards, threaten the fundamental rights of minority religious groups and could lead to further discrimination and suppression of freedoms. UN calls for dialogue and compliance reflect the urgency for Kyrgyzstan to reconsider these regulations to align with its human rights commitments.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
