Draft Law Further Restricts Church Registration

Parliament building - Photo: Wikipedia / Adam Harangozó
Parliament building in Bishkek
Photo: Wikipedia / Adam Harangozó (cc)

If adopted, a draft law prepared by the State Commission for Religious Affairs would continue to ban any worship meetings and religious education from operating without state permission throughout the country of Kyrgyzstan. In addition, this potential new law would make the registration of small religious communities very difficult, if not impossible.

According to the proposed legislation, a minimum of 200 adult members all living within the same region is required when applying for registration as a religious community. The members of each church community will then be required to gather in person for an official meeting so full personal details can be recorded and notarized.

Religious communities would also need to obtain registration for any facility used for worship, whether it be owned or rented. However, there are concerns that the extensive registration process will prevent landlords from fulfilling the commission's excessive demands. Zhanara Askar kyzy, a Christian lawyer who is diligently working to oppose the new legislation, argues that under these new rules, it would be impossible for some religious groups to meet in rented premises. For such cases are further complicated by mandates requiring the meeting address to be the same as the legal address of the organization – a condition not feasible for churches renting a facility only a few hours each week.

A further consequence of the proposed law is that any private religious training would be banned. The law declares, "Teaching religious disciplines on an individual basis outside a religious educational institution is prohibited." On a positive note, the new law would remove a ban on the distribution of religious publications in public places. For more on the challenges facing Christians in Kyrgyzstan, go to our country report.

Ask God to grant the concerned lawyers and religious leaders wisdom and discernment as they present their arguments before parliament, particularly as they address aspects of the proposed law that would hinder church groups from gathering together for worship. May the judicial legislators debating this potential law clearly consider the ramifications of the new requirements and come to a reasonable and equitable decision. While this subject is being deliberated in court, pray that the churches in Kyrgyzstan will discover innovative ways to effectively reach out to others in their communities with the powerful, life-transformative message of Christ.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    6,122,781 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kyrgyz (73.8), Uzbek (14.8), Russian (5.1), Dungan (1.1), Other (5.2)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (90), Christian (7), other (3)

    Leader
    President Sadyr Japarov (2021)

    Government type
    Parliamentary Republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Kyrgyzstan

    Ask the Lord to empower these church leaders and their congregation members so they can lovingly and boldly proclaim the Gospel in Kyrgyzstan (Ephesians 6:18-20). Also intercede on behalf of the country's political leaders, who not only need wisdom to justly govern the nation but also eternal salvation through a personal and meaningful encounter with the Risen Christ. May it represent the beginning of spiritual revival throughout this land.

Kyrgyzstan News

  • Pastor Sentenced to Serve at a Labour Camp
    Pastor Pavel Shreider is slightly smiling as he looks through white prison bars.
    Pastor Pavel Shreider
    Photo: USCIRF

    In November 2024, national security police in Kyrgyzstan arrested Pastor Pavel Shreider and placed him in detention. At the time of the church leader's arrest, authorities also raided his home, along with the residences of several other Christians. In the process, thousands of books and Bibles were confiscated, along with cash and cell phones.

  • New Religion Law Takes Effect
    The front entrance to the parliament building in Kyrgyzstan.
    Parliament building in Kyrgyzstan.
    Photo: Flickr / Katie Putz (cc)

    On December 12th, 2024, a draft bill was introduced to the parliament of Kyrgyzstan which proposed significantly tighter restrictions on the country's existing religion law. Referred to as a "very dangerous law," the draft legislation sought to enact stricter registration requirements, prohibit the public sharing of one's faith, and mandated that religious communities possess a minimum of 500 adult members in order to gain legal status. For more information, see our previous report.

  • New Religion Law Passes First Reading
    Parliament building in Kyrgyzstan.
    Parliament building in Kyrgyzstan.
    Photo: Flickr / Katie Putz (cc)

    While the Kyrgyzstan constitution guarantees freedom of religion, various laws imposing significant restrictions on religious gatherings have been passed over the years, as well those forbidding proselytism and the distribution of religious literature. Since the 2008 Religion Law came into effect, churches were required to register with the government and, in order to do so, they had to consist of more than 200 adult members. In the years following, further modifications have frequently been proposed. One such bill was introduced in October 2023, but the parliament rejected it on June 6th, 2024. (Read more.)

  • Proposed Religion Law Amendments Rejected
    A map of Kyrgyzstan has a stamp reading "Restricted Access" over it.
     

    In October 2023, a bill that would put significant restrictions on religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan passed its first reading. Of particular concern to human rights experts were the legislation's vague wording (which could potentially be subjected to abuse) and the strict new requirements for financial reporting. Previously published details on the proposed restrictions are available here.