[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DISTURBING TRENDS REGARDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN KAZAKHSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the recent 
pattern of human rights violations in Kazakhstan. Since last autumn, 
but particularly since January 2001, the Kazakh government has shown a 
troubling trend in its treatment of American citizens living in 
Kazakhstan and Kazakh citizens who hold religious beliefs. I have 
received numerous reports in my office detailing the intense harassment 
of a number of different American families and their friends in 
Kazakhstan.
  In one instance, officials called three families into the police 
station and told them they had to leave the country. The families made 
the arrangements to leave, then, after all of the adults, children and 
their luggage had been processed through the airport and the family was 
ready to board the airplane, security officials pulled everyone out of 
the airport and would not allow them to depart. In another situation, a 
member of the local secret police came to the family's home and 
threateningly said that he was staying in their apartment that night 
and escorting them to the airport to leave the next morning--basically 
putting the family, including a one-year-old little girl, under house 
arrest.
  Security and court officials also harassed the families of those 
working at an education center, punished them because of their refusal 
to pay bribes to local officials, and forced them to pay a $240 per 
person fine for trumped-up charges--all apparently because of the 
peaceful practice of their religious beliefs.
  Unfortunately, I have numerous other examples of the negative 
treatment of religious believing Americans by Kazakh officials. 
However, not all Americans are treated this way, only the ones who hold 
religious beliefs. The Americans who were harassed all attended church 
services, just as they would do anywhere they lived and worked, and 
made friends with people in that religious community. Sadly, government 
officials somehow saw something sinister in their peaceful religious 
practices. Even further, of great concern is the fact that each person 
or family with whom these Americans were friends has since been 
harassed by police and state security officials.
  Disturbingly, these situations are not mere misunderstandings or 
random actions by local officials. The pattern of harassment is 
occurring throughout the country, not just in isolated incidents. 
Furthermore, Kazakh Evangelical Baptists have reported that security 
officials have interrupted church services, confiscated literature in 
the church, recorded all attendees at the service, even arresting 
participants, and severely beat the pastor in the head, neck and 
stomach. Then, at the police station, officials threatened the 
Christians saying things like, ``During the Soviet times, believers 
like you were shot. Now you are feeling at peace, but we will show 
you.''
  Correcting the injustices against Americans and Kazakhs is an 
important step in reflecting the Kazakh government's desire to 
establish rule of law in Kazakhstan.
  Kazakhstan has been the nation that people point to in Central Asia 
where there has been freedom to peacefully practice one's religious 
beliefs and freely meet with one's faith community. The Constitution 
protects religious freedom and the government previously has upheld its 
commitments as a party to the Helsinki Accords and a member of the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The recent trend, 
however, seems to belie previous optimism about religious freedom. 
Further cause for concern lies with new legislation that restricts 
religious freedom. The concerns cited by the government regarding 
wanting to ensure that no criminal activity occurs among people who 
adhere to certain religious beliefs can be accommodated under criminal 
law. There is no need for a law to restrict freedom of conscience, 
freedom of association, and freedom of speech.
  Kazakhstan can be a leader in Central Asia and can forge a new path 
for democracy in that region. There are many people in the United 
States who desire to increase our friendship with Kazakhstan. However, 
recent trends of increased human rights violations in Kazakhstan can 
slow that relationship people desire to build.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the government of Kazakhstan to correct the 
injustices perpetrated by security, police, and court officials, and 
forge a new path as a key leader in Central Asia and the international 
community.

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