Kazakhstan Law Restricting Religious Groups Takes Effect

Forum 18 reports today that in Kazakhstan, the President on July 8 signed a new law affecting the freedom of religious groups to operate in the country. (See prior related posting.) The new measures came into force upon the publication on July 13 and 14. The new law bans unregistered religious organizations and requires all missionaries to register annually with local authorities. Those taking part in public meetings of unregistered religious organizations, or those who finance them, are subject to fines. All literature and videos a missionary intends to use must be approved by officials. The head of the Association of Religious Organizations in Kazakhstan pointed out limited successes from lobbying while the laws were under consideration. The definition of who is a missionary was narrowed as was language prohibiting religious education injurious to children.