Proposed Tajik Law Banning Children's Participation In Religious Activities Draws Objections

Forum 18 reports that in Tajikistan yesterday the public consultation period ended on a controversial proposed Law on Parental Responsibility for the Education and Upbringing of Children.  After receiving more than 30,000 comments on the proposed law, the President's office said opinions of religious communities will be taken into account and changes will be made in the draft.  The proposal, initiated by Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon last year, would require parents to prohibit their children from participating in organized religious activities, except for funerals.  Apparently its goal is to stop children from attending mosques in the majority-Muslim country.  However it will also negatively impact the minority Russian Orthodox community.  Other provisions in the law require parents to give children names that reflect national values. It requires that children be educated in the spirit of respect for the homeland, national and universal values. It requires school uniforms and bans children having access to materials that contain violence, extremism, terrorism or other manifestations against morals.