TAJIKISTAN'S CRA CHAIRMAN ON NEW DRAFT RELIGION LAW:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000722 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF TI SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN'S CRA CHAIRMAN ON NEW DRAFT RELIGION LAW: WHAT'S THE EXCITEMENT? REF: DUSHANBE 541 DUSHANBE 00000722 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: EmbOffs met with Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA),Murodullo Davlatov, on April 12 and April 14 to discuss an ACCELS/USAID Community Connections program for religious leaders and a regional religion conference organized by the Tajik government's Center for Strategic Research and supported by USAID. In the April 14 meeting with PolOff and USAID, EmbOffs raised the new draft law on religion (reftel). Davlatov, an atheist who champions secularization and stern separation of state and religion, stressed that each country has the right to create its own laws, taking into consideration national security, regardless of international norms dictated by Western morals and values. Davlatov views Islamic extremism as a grave security threat and aims to quash it through his new draft law on religion. However, the draft has not been received well, even from within his own committee. END SUMMARY. VETTING U.S. EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FOR EXTREMISTS ¶2. (SBU) On April 12, PAS, USAID, and ACCELS met with Davlatov to seek permission to advertise the open competition for a religious leaders Community Connections program in Isfara and Garm. The meeting quickly turned from a nuts and bolts program meeting to a Davlatov sermon on the dangers of sending "extremists and fundamentalists" to the United States on exchange programs. He felt PAS had sent dangerous religious leaders on last year's religious leader IVLP, and refused to work with ACCELS/USAID on this program unless promised that he could clear program participants in advance. He reiterated the need to control religious institutions and leaders to ensure extremism doesn't present a destabilizing threat to Tajikistan or the United States. INTERNATIONAL OPINION NOT NEEDED NOW, SAYS DAVLATOV ¶3. (U) In the April 14 meeting, Davlatov again brought up the role of the United States in fighting terrorism and extremism, and said the United States should understand Tajikistan's fight against extremism. PolOff acknowledged the need to respect state sovereignty and reassured him that the United States is also committed to fighting extremism. However, we must also respect and ensure religious freedoms. PolOff said international organizations should professionally review the draft law, to ensure that it complies with international standards. ¶4. (U) USAID described its project in Kyrgyzstan where international experts are working with the Kyrgyz government to rewrite the law on religion. USAID offered the same assistance to Tajikistan. Davlatov commented that it is a good idea, but it is "too early" to bring in outside help. ¶5. (U) Davlatov expects many revisions to the law before it moves forward in parliament. He noted the possibility of inviting international advice when the final draft is ready. Regarding international participation, he asked flippantly, "What's the excitement?" He said that this is only a draft and like other laws will go through multiple versions. He was also keen to point out that the CRA already distributed the drafts to local religious organizations for comment, and they are free to send it forward to international organizations. He said CRA would welcome any group's comments in writing. CRA EMPLOYEES DISAGREE WITH NEW DRAFT LAW ¶6. (SBU) Tohir Rashidov, the Deputy Chairman of the CRA told PolOff that most of the CRA's officers disagree with the new DUSHANBE 00000722 002.2 OF 002 draft law on religion, initiated and drafted by Davlatov. He said the law was unclear and had many shortages and problems, specifically pointing to the quotas required to establish a religious organization as unreasonably high. Rashidov informed PolOff that the draft has been distributed to the ministries, but has not yet been sent officially to parliament. In contrast to Davlatov, Rashidov welcomed international review and was enthusiastic about having international experts advise the Tajik government on drafting religious legislation. He pointed out the importance of educating the public on their religious rights and wanted as many religious groups to know about the law as possible. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: In the April 12 meeting, although EmbOffs wanted to discuss the new draft law and religious freedom issues in more detail, Davlatov was anxious to end the meeting. Perhaps he realized that his brainchild has not been well received. The unpopular opinion surrounding the law from the religious community, political parties, international organizations, and the CRA internally, means that it is unlikely the law will pass anytime soon, particularly not prior to the November presidential election. Although the government has not sent the draft to an international audience, it is noteworthy that the CRA has solicited comments from local religious organizations of all confessions, instead of attempting to pass the law as a fait accompli. Post will continue to seek ways to question the wisdom of the current approach and call for more transparency and inclusion in the process. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND