Kyrgyzstan

Christians in Kyrgyzstan struggle to practice their faith freely. They are often ostracized because they are Christians, and at times even face jail time. Nellie Vorobye, now living in America, shares what it was like to grow up as a Christian in Kyrgyzstan.

The secret police in Kyrgyzstan are apparently behind the push for greater punishments against individuals and churches exercising their rights to religious freedom.  The new proposal widens what is punishable as well as increasing the price of the fines. The punishable offences range from holding a prayer meeting in a location not authorized by the government; to an individual teaching religious beliefs without a “personal registration to do so.” Christians are fearful, saying "If adopted, the punishments will definitely be used. We regard them as a way for the authorities to collect money from religious communities.”

While the government of Kyrgyzstan claims that they are enforcing the Religion Law “democratically” there are many religious minorities who would beg to differ. The new changes, if full adopted, could result in students needing the permission of the government to attend religious colleges in other countries as well as requiring a church or other religious community to have 200 local members before it can be legal.

In a country that does not support religious minorities a young Kyrg girl was punished by her parents for converting to Christianity. Though they beat her until she went unconscious and burned her face on the stove, she did not recant her faith. Situations like this are more frequent in Kyrgyzstan than one might suppose, however the incidents frequently go unreported.

The newest amendments to the Religion Law in Kyrgyzstan give the government even more control over religious literature. It’s unclear how these amendments will be implemented, but there are those who say that it will be “be chaotic, selective and arbitrary". The Religion Law, pre-amendments, broke international human rights commitments. These new amendments take Kyrgyzstan further in the wrong direction-away from religious freedom.

The government of Kyrgyzstan is in a tumultuous position right now as its “ruling coalition collapsed” last week. With a president trying to unite fighting politicians and a new prime minister on the horizon the future seems uncertain. This is especially so for Christians as “this is a nation that has increasingly become antagonistic to evangelical Christians and has taken steps to curb religious freedom.”

This article is an update on lawsuit filed by a Christian against a Muslim in Kyrygzstan. The Christian has suffered persecution in the form of threats, attacks and false accusations at the hands of the same Muslim man, a Mullah, and is suing him “to prompt authorities to act.” Laws in Kyrgyzstan promise to protect religious freedom, but in practice are rarely upheld. This is a case to watch, and see what the results are when it reaches the country’s Supreme Court.

A Christian in Kyrgyzstan was distributing humanitarian items in a village when he was attacked by the Islamic leader and his mob. In a case that is vital for Christians in Kyrgyzstan, the Christian worker is now suing the Islamic leader. Christians in Kyrgyzstan are officially protected by laws, but that protection is not enforced and they face beatings and death for professing their faith.

As if the existing restrictive Religion Laws are not enough, parliament in Kyrgyzstan is considering tightening the noose even more. The amendments, if passed, would have “the effect of imposing total censorship on all literature and similar material” said one lawyer. Thankfully, the President refused to sign, but the fight is not over yet and the amendments were sent back to Parliament.

Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement continues to stop violent attacks on people exercising their right to freedom of religion. In some cases they have even witnessed mob attacks and done nothing.  Recent attacks, where local police and Public Prosecutors failed to respond, include beatings, threats, property burned down, mob attacks, and the attack of five Baptists in their home village. While the government drags its feet in response, refusing to bring the attackers to justice, religious communities live in fear.