[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         DRAFT LAW ON RELIGION THREATENS FREEDOMS IN KAZAKHSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2001

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice concern about attempts 
underway in Kazakhstan to limit freedom of religion. Currently, several 
drafts of amendments to that country's 1992 law on religion are under 
consideration. In the view of the Keston News Service, one of the 
world's most respected organizations on religious liberty, the passage 
and implementation of these amendments would move Kazakhstan into the 
ranks of former Soviet republics with the ``harshest climate for 
religious freedom.''
  Draft amendments to the religion law have surfaced in October 2000, 
as well as in January and February of this year. Oddly, they lack any 
indication of origin, which allows government officials to decline to 
comment on them. It seems clear, however, that the drafts in January 
and February did not include some of the most onerous and egregious 
earlier provisions, perhaps in response to criticism. Nevertheless, 
what remains is more than enough to evoke serious concern.
  For example, Amendment 5 of the January and February drafts prohibits 
``the activity of religious sects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.'' 
Amendment 16 bans ``the preparation, preservation and distribution of 
literature, cine-photo- and video-products and other materials 
containing ideas of religious extremism and reactionary 
fundamentalism.'' Amendment 11 of the February version introduces the 
provision that the charter of all religious organizations ``is subject 
to registration.''
  Furthermore, Amendment 6 of the February draft would permit citizens 
of Kazakhstan, ``foreign citizens and persons without citizenship'' to 
conduct missionary activity in Kazakhstan ``only with the permission of 
the competent state organ.'' The drafts also introduce harsh penalties 
for conducting missionary activity without permission. January's 
version stipulates fines ranging between two and five month's wages, or 
up to one year corrective labor, or up to two months in jail. The 
February draft strengthens these draconian provisions: those convicted 
could be sentenced to two years of corrective labor, up to six months 
arrest, or deprivation of freedom for up to one year.
  Amendment 10 of the February draft would give the state enormous 
power over religious practice by the people of Kazakhastan--the 
activity of foreign religious organizations on the territory of 
Kazakhstan, ``as well as the appointment of leaders of religious 
organizations in the Republic by foreign religious centers must take 
place with the agreement of the corresponding state organs.'' Moreover, 
Amendment 11 requires Islamic religious groups to ``present a document 
confirming their affiliation with the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims 
of Kazakhstan.''
  To quote Keston News Service, ``Any requirement that registration be 
made compulsory would violate Kazakhstan's international human rights 
commitments, as would a ban on missionary activity and a requirement 
for state involvement in the selection of leaders for any religious 
group.''
  Because these drafts have been ``unofficial,'' even local 
representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
Europe (OSCE) in Almaty have been unable to obtain any official texts. 
Nevertheless, on March 6, the head of OSCE center, Herbert Salber, 
communicated his concerns to the chairman of Kazakhstan's Senate (the 
upper chamber) of parliament. Mr. Salber described the drafts as having 
``masses of shortcomings'' and running ``counter to international legal 
norms.''
  Mr. Speaker, if these draft amendments to the religion law are 
passed, the effect could be to make only Islam and Russian Orthodoxy 
the permitted religions in Kazakhstan. Other faiths and religious 
organizations would be severely restricted if not actually outlawed.
  It appears that attempts are being made to pass this legislation on 
March 16, 2001 without even a public reading. Mr. Speaker, I hope the 
Bush administration will join me in conveying to the leaders of 
Kazakhstan that we are deeply concerned by this initiative to turn the 
clock back and to limit the rights of religious believers in 
Kazakhstan.

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