UN experts have denounced Kyrgyzstan’s new legislation that restricts freedom of religion, urging compliance with international human rights standards. The laws, signed by President Japarov, widen limitations on religious freedom and pose severe penalties for violations. Experts advocate for dialogue with minority groups to ensure alignment with international legal obligations, warning of potential human rights violations.
On Thursday, UN experts condemned new legislation in Kyrgyzstan that curtails freedom of religion or belief, urging the government to align these laws with both national and international human rights standards. The experts asserted that these regulations could significantly restrict freedoms related to thought, conscience, religion, speech, assembly, and cultural expression, failing to justify such limitations under international law criteria. They recommended that Kyrgyz authorities engage in inclusive dialogue with minority religious groups affected by the legislation to rectify its alignment with international standards.
The newly enacted Law on Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations and the Law on Countering Extremist Activities were signed by President Sadyr Japarov. These laws expand the scope of restrictions surrounding the right to practice religion and belief, introducing penalties for the public display of certain religious attire and mandating that religious communities register with the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA) every ten years.
Under the latest provisions, the number of founders required for a religious organization has increased from 200 to 500 adult members in a designated region. Furthermore, registered religious organizations must inform local authorities and the SCRA ten days in advance of any events held at approved religious sites. Violations of these rules can lead to substantial fines, impacting both individuals and organizations.
The SCRA’s Deputy Director, Kanatbek Midin uuly, defended the laws, asserting that they were drafted to allow citizens to exercise constitutional rights within a stable religious context. The legislation aims to safeguard state security by preventing religious extremism while concurrently regulating religious activities. This justification raises concerns since experts warn that such restrictions may violate fundamental human rights.
International guidelines, such as General Comment No. 22 from the Human Rights Committee concerning Article 18 of the ICCPR, clearly indicate that restrictions on religious freedoms must be strictly defined and permissible only for public safety and other fundamental rights. The draft laws, propelled by the SCRA and relevant authorities, were met with criticism from four UN special rapporteurs, who feared they might breach Kyrgyzstan’s international human rights commitments during a public consultation held in December 2023.
In their September 2024 review, UN experts cited reported incidents of harassment against various religious groups, urging Kyrgyzstan to implement measures that ensure minority rights and promote the enjoyment of cultural identity and freedom of practice as part of the ICCPR evaluation process.
The UN experts’ condemnation of Kyrgyzstan’s new laws reflects widespread concerns over religious freedom violations. Their recommendations emphasize the necessity for open dialogue between authorities and minority religious groups. The legislation, as it stands, risks infringing upon international human rights obligations, sparking a need for reform to align with global standards on freedom of religion.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
