Kyrgyzstan: President signs New Religion Law Banning proselytism and deceptive conversions of children and Youths
Khalili
Law; The Law – which replaces the 1991 Religion Law - was approved by
parliament on 6 November 2008. On 12 January, 2009 the presidential
website reported:
Provisions under this law include: a ban on children being involved in
religious organizations; a ban on "aggressive action aimed at
proselytism"; a ban on the distribution of religious literature,
print, and audio-video religious materials; and de facto compulsory re-
registration of all registered religious organizations (see F18News 5
November 2008 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1213).
The 12 January announcement on the presidential website trumpets the
fact that 200 adult citizens permanently living in Kyrgyzstan will now
be required before a religious community can apply for state
registration, compared to 10 in the current Law. It says 10 registered
religious organizations will be needed to form a "religious
association".
The announcement stresses that "attracting children into religious
organizations is not allowed, and insistent actions directed at
turning believers of one faith to another (proselytism) are banned".
It adds that "the distribution of literature, printed, audio and video
materials of a religious character in public places (on streets and
roads), and going round flats, children's institutions, schools and
higher educational establishments is banned". It specifies that the
Law "determines [official] control on the activity of religious
organizations".
The announcement said the Law comes into force on its official
publication. It said statutes of religious organizations must be
brought into conformity with the new Law.
The announcement stresses that the "leading religious confessions of
the country" – which it identifies as the Muftiate and the Russian
Orthodox Church – had called on President Bakiev to sign the Law. "The
majority of state bodies of the country likewise supported this Law."
The Baha’is who will be put under the scanner with this law and their
so called moral children classes, the junior youth spiritual
empowerment program,(JYSEP) and Ruhi Institute courses, the study
circles which are nothing but deceptive way of propagation and
conversion will come to standstill.
Echoing his concern over the ban on spreading one's faith is a member
of the Baha'i community, who asked not to be identified. "We're not
sure how we will be treated if we speak to someone about our faith,"
the Baha'i told Forum 18 on 13 January. "Will this be regarded as
illegal propaganda?" The Baha'i said every religious believer will
have to be more careful now. "We won't be able to say what we want to
say, and we won't be able to listen to what we want to listen to."
P. Porsayeva