Kyrgystan's Parliament Passes Restrictive Religion Law

According to Forum 18, Kyrgystan's Parliament yesterday unanimously passed a restrictive religion law. Under the law, in order for a religion to register, it must have 200 members whose identities are confirmed by local administrations. Yesterday's International Herald Tribune reports that the law also bans private religious schools and the dissemination of religious material in public places. It curtails proselytism, all in an attempt to limit the influence of foreign Christian evangelical and radical Islamic groups. Religious organizations will be required to disclose financial information to authorities. The law will be sent to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev around November 15. He will have a month to decide whether to sign it. It is expected that he will approve it. Rights activists, such as the Institute on Religion & Public Policy (letter to Pres. Bakiyev), say the law is a violation of international human rights standards.