New laws, under the pretext of combating radicalism and terrorism, put most religious activities under the control of the state.
March 6, 2025
On February 27 last, five UN Special Rapporteurs expressed concern about the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Kyrgyzstan. They are Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues.
“We regret that despite repeated expressions of concern by national and international human rights experts about previous drafts, the Kyrgyz Government has introduced legislation that restricts freedom of religion or belief in a manner incompatible with its legal obligations,” wrote the experts,
They emphasized that the new laws, signed by the President of Kyrgyzstan on January 21, 2025, criminalize and marginalize religious minorities.
“The provisions of these restrictive laws will severely limit Kyrgyzstan’s space for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, the principle of non-discrimination, and the exercise of cultural rights,” they added. Noting that Kyrgyzstan has justified the laws with the threat of radicalism and terrorism, they emphasized that, “Measures purporting to counter terrorism or violent extremism must also respect human rights.”
They observed that the new legislation encompasses laws titled “On Freedom of Religion on Religious Associations” and “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Religious Sphere,” the latter also modifying the Code of Offences. The laws impose various restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, as well as freedom of expression and association. These measures include fines for wearing specific religious attire, such as the niqab, in state institutions and public places, and the requirement for religious or belief organizations to register and re-register every ten years. Registration is limited to those groups comprising at least 500 “legally capable” citizens. Under the old law, 200 citizens were enough.
New laws require registered religious organizations to notify local authorities and the State Commission for Religious Affairs at least ten business days before events at pilgrimage sites. Violations result in fines of 20,000 Soms (228 USD) for individuals and 65,000 Soms (743 USD) for organizations.
“The legislation also includes… restrictions on the places where religious activities can take place, a ban on individual teaching of religious discipline outside recognized religious educational institutions, and a ban on the distribution of religious literature and other materials in public places and on proselytism outside religious institutions,” the UN Rapporteurs’ press release noted, as well as requesting permission for individuals’ preaching activity, and introducing censorship of all religious materials.
“International human rights law,” the Rapporteurs said, “allows for limitations on these rights only in very specific circumstances, which these new laws do not appear to meet, and will have a serious impact on the human rights of minorities of religion or belief.”
It is not the first time that the UN express concern about freedom of religion or belief in Kyrgyzstan. Four Special Rapporteurs had already criticized an earlier draft of the law in a Joint Letter to the Government of Kyrgyzstan in December 2023.
“We call upon Kyrgyz authorities to conduct open, meaningful, and inclusive dialogue with minority religion and belief groups whose rights will be affected by this law as soon as possible, so that it may be brought in line with international standards,” the Rapporteurs concluded. “We remain ready and willing to support the Kyrgyz Government in implementing legislation on freedom of religion or belief in a manner consistent with its obligations under international law.”
Source: bitterwinter.org
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