Freedom of religion or belief topic of OSCE-supported discussion in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s state officials, religious leaders, civil society and media representatives gathered in Bishkek on 20 September 2013 for an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the legal and practical aspects of safeguarding the freedom of religion or belief in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The meeting focused on the issue of ensuring the inclusion of guarantees of freedom of religion or belief into the national policy and legal framework, in line with the Constitution of the country. Participants discussed the role of media and civil society in promoting the right to express one’s religious affiliation in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

During the event, a report on protecting freedom of religion in the country was presented. The report was prepared by Kyrgyzstan’s “Open viewpoint” civil foundation, and published with the support of the OSCE, Freedom House and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

Dmitri Kabak, President of the “Open viewpoint” foundation said: “Three years after the adoption of a new Constitution, Kyrgyzstan’s national legislation remains inconsistent with the fundamental constitutional principles guarding the freedom of religion or belief. The analysis presented in our new report should allow those inconsistencies to be better and more effectively recognized and addressed.”

“The most inspiring thing about the report is that it was prepared in co-operation with all the religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan, who provided us with facts and background information. We hope to continue our joint work in the future,” Kabak added.

Speaking on the security aspects of protecting the freedom of religion or belief, Anders Troedsson, Acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said, “The OSCE recognizes that the relationship between freedom of religion or belief and security is an important one, which at times represents a challenge for state authorities. History teaches us that there cannot be human rights without security, and that security is not sustainable if human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, are not protected. In our globalized society, security and the respect for human rights are highly interdependent.”

“The OSCE believes that fostering a climate of tolerance, as indicated in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2013-2017, will benefit the country also in the long term,” he said.

The meeting marks the completion of a larger project on promoting freedom of religion in Kyrgyzstan, which the OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been implementing since the beginning of 2013.