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Kyrgyzstan

• New Religion Law Passes First Reading

  

  While the Kyrgyzstan constitution guarantees freedom of religion, various laws imposing significant restrictions on religious gatherings have been passed over the years, as well those forbidding proselytism and the distribution of religious literature. Since the 2008 Religion Law came into effect, churches were required to register with the government and, in order to do so, they had to consist of more than 200 adult members. In the years following, further modifications have frequently been proposed. One such bill was introduced in October 2023, but the parliament rejected it on June 6th, 2024. (Read more.)

• Proposed Religion Law Amendments Rejected

  

  In October 2023, a bill that would put significant restrictions on religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan passed its first reading. Of particular concern to human rights experts were the legislation's vague wording (which could potentially be subjected to abuse) and the strict new requirements for financial reporting. Previously published details on the proposed restrictions are available here.

• New Bill Further Restricts Nonprofit Groups

  

  Human rights organizations are cautious as a new bill works its way through the Kyrgyz parliament, passing its first reading on October 25th. If implemented, the legislation would require a nonprofit organization or human rights group receiving international funding to register with the Justice Ministry as a "foreign representative." This act would target any organization engaged in "political activity," which the proposed legislation defines as "action aimed at changing state policy and shaping public opinion for these purposes."

• Fines for ''Missionary Activities''

  

  In multiple incidents that took place during late March, Christians from registered churches in Kyrgyzstan were issued fines for conducting "illegal missionary activities." News of the raids had not been released until recently due to fear of reprisals.

• Violent Attacks Against Christians

  

  In October 2018, a young Christian, Eldos Sattar uuly, sustained a broken jaw and other injuries after a violent attack in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan (see this report). While those responsible were charged, they were sentenced to house arrest, which is not being enforced.

• Young Convert Suffers Severe Beating

  

  A young Christian in the village of Tamchi, Kyrgyzstan, was left fighting for his life after three Muslim men badly beat him on October 17th. The attackers cornered Eldos, a 25-year-old convert from Islam, and attempted to force him to recite the shahada, the Islamic creed used to signify conversion. When Eldos refused, he was viciously beaten, leaving him with a concussion, fractured jaw, missing teeth, and an eye injury.

• Church Comprising Converts Ordered Closed

  

  A church in Kyrgyzstan, attended by many former Muslims, has been ordered to cease operations. Twice in the past few months, Sunday services have been interrupted by a group consisting of local officials, representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and others. While the church tried to settle the conflict, the opposing group has continued to issue threats and insults. "You will not be able to live and carry out your ministry here," members of the church were told.

• Bible Amazingly Survives Firebombing

  

  On January 3rd, militant Muslims firebombed a church in the village of Kaji-Say, located within Issyk-Kul Region, causing extensive damage to the building and its contents. In the events leading up to the incident, the militants had doused the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church with petrol and set it on fire in what may have been an opposing reaction to a series of outreach meetings that were held in the community. (New regulations in Kyrgyzstan strictly forbid any kind of missionary work.) Thankfully, there were no congregation members in the church at the time of the attack.

• Parliament considers tighter censorship

  Kyrgyzstan's parliament is considering amendments to the country's restrictive Religion Law which would tighten state censorship. The existing censorship -- like other parts of the Religion Law -- breaks the country's international human rights commitments. Lawyers from various religious communities, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, have said that the amendments would have the effect of imposing total censorship on all religious literature and similar material.

  The existing Religion Law, passed in 2009, did not impose prior compulsory censorship of all religious literature. However, it allows state examination of any religious literature and requires state examination of all religious materials placed in a library. Distribution of any religious materials is permitted only within the confines of a religious organization's legally owned property or in places allocated by local authorities. (For more information on the current Religion Law, click here.)

  If the proposed amendment is passed, anyone wanting to import, publish or distribute religious literature will have to seek prior permission from the authorities. The text of the amendment is set to be finalized in September.

  Pray that these amendments are rejected. Pray that the Lord will empower believers in Kyrgyzstan to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray for wisdom for the country's leaders, and pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

  Go to the Kyrgyzstan Country Report to learn more about opposition in Kyrgyzstan.

• Update: Restrictive religion law passed

  The draft religion law approved by Kyrgyzstan's parliament in early November (click here for more) has been signed and approved by President Kurmanbek Bakiev, according to a January 13 report from Forum 18. Religious leaders across Kyrgyzstan have expressed concern for their communities, especially those with small numbers. The new religion law stipulates that 200 adult citizens are necessary to apply for state registration, whereas previously only 10 citizens were required. The new law also bans the involvement of children in religious organizations, forbids religious groups from spreading their faith and prohibits the distribution of religious material.

  For more information on the opposition facing Christians in Kyrgyzstan,click here.