UN Experts Condemn Kyrgyzstan’s New Restrictions on Religious Freedom

UN experts have criticized Kyrgyzstan’s new laws restricting freedom of religion or belief, urging alignment with international human rights standards. The legislation imposes new registration requirements and penalties for unauthorized religious activities. Experts stress the importance of dialogue with affected minority groups and express willingness to assist in legislative efforts.

On Thursday, United Nations experts condemned recent Kyrgyz legislation that restricts freedoms related to religion or belief. They urged the Kyrgyz authorities to align all laws with both domestic and international human rights standards, asserting that such restrictions could undermine freedoms of thought, conscience, and religion as well as freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. The experts asserted that the new laws do not satisfy the conditions under which international law permits limitations on these rights.

The experts called for an inclusive dialogue with minority religion and belief groups that will be impacted by the new legislation, requesting a prompt alignment with international standards. They emphasized their willingness to support the Kyrgyz Government in its efforts to legislate on freedom of religion or belief in accordance with its international obligations. This response stems from the recent signing by President Sadyr Japarov of the Law on Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations and the Law on Countering Extremist Activities, which broaden restrictions on these rights.

The newly enacted laws impose stringent requirements on religious communities, including registration every ten years and an increase in the minimum number of founding members required from 200 to 500. They also mandate that registered organizations inform local authorities and the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA) ten business days in advance of events at pilgrimage sites. Moreover, individuals may face fines of 20,000 Soms (approximately $228) for unauthorized religious expression, while organizations could incur fines of 65,000 Soms (around $743).

The laws empower the SCRA to regulate various aspects of religious activity, including registration processes, oversight of religious organizations, and approval of preaching activities. Kanatbek Midin uuly, Deputy Director of SCRA, defended these new measures, emphasizing their design to facilitate constitutional rights and ensure stability in Kyrgyzstan’s religious landscape while countering extremism. Nonetheless, UN experts highlighted that such restrictions should strictly adhere to international human rights law.

The draft of the laws was developed by the SCRA, National Security Committee, and the Interior Ministry, with public concern expressed by four UN special rapporteurs regarding their compatibility with international human rights obligations. Following a periodic review in September 2024, specific instances of harassment against religious groups were noted, and recommendations were made to uphold the rights of minorities to freely practice their beliefs and preserve their cultural identity.

In conclusion, the UN experts’ denouncement of Kyrgyzstan’s new restrictions on religious freedom emphasizes the potential violations of human rights standards that could arise from such legislation. Their call for constructive dialogue with affected groups underlines the importance of integrating international norms into national laws. The international community remains watchful of Kyrgyzstan’s compliance with its human rights obligations, particularly in safeguarding the freedom of religion and belief.

Original Source: www.jurist.org