Churches under threat in Tajikistan

A new draft law in Tajikistan is threatening to rob churches and mosques of their legal status in 2009.

If approved, draft legislation initiated by President Emomali Rahmon would extend state control over the country’s churches and mosques by requiring them to re-register as a “religious organisation” or “religious community” under more stringent conditions, according to Forum 18 news service.

In order to register as a religious organisation, 10 citizens would need to obtain a certificate from local authorities confirming that adherents of the faith have lived in the area for at least 10 years.

They must also provide an account of their beliefs and practices, describe their attitude to education, family and marriage, and also the health of their faith community.

Organisations eligible for registration as a religious community are "national religious centres, central cathedral mosques, religious educational institutions, churches, synagogues and other forms not contradicting current law”. Religious communities must be registered with local and national level religious affairs officials but would not have any legal status.

Human rights advocates in Tajikistan have questioned the legislation’s legitimacy after President Rahmon sent the legislation directly to Parliament, circumventing usual parliamentary procedure.

The Tajikistan Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has also voiced concern over the legislation’s lack of clarity, warning that interpretation would be left to local authorities.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert said the draft law “falls short of internationally accepted standards regarding freedom of religion and belief”.

“We strongly urge the Parliament of Tajikistan to reconsider the text of this restrictive draft law,” she said.

“In light of so many similar laws being proposed across Central Asia in recent months, it is vital that the international community and bodies such as the OSCE act decisively and speak out against this negative trend.”