THE LOW-DOWN ON TAJIKISTAN'S LAW ON RELIGION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001684

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TI
SUBJECT: THE LOW-DOWN ON TAJIKISTAN'S LAW ON RELIGION

REF: DUSHANBE 1600

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1. (SBU) Summary: Tajikistan's draft law on religion does not
appear to be on the fast track any longer. Government officials
will revise the current draft, and it is unlikely that the
proposed law will not be considered by parliament until next
year. While future drafts may take into account some of the
concerns expressed by religious groups and non-governmental
organizations, we predict the government will still continue to
exert severe restrictions on religious freedom. End summary.

Another Conference

===============


2. (U) On 21 November 2007, PolOff attended an OSCE-sponsored
round table on the draft law on religion. The meeting was
essentially a reprise of a November 7 conference (reftel),in
which religious groups and non-governmental organizations were
given an opportunity to voice their opinions about the draft.
OSCE brought in Gerhard Robbers, a member of ODIHR's Advisory
Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief, to speak about general
concerns regarding the draft law. Robbers spoke very
cautiously, emphasizing the need for a cooperative arrangement
with the government.


3. (U) The only senior member of the Government to attend,
Saimurod Fattoev, President Rahmon's State Advisor on Political
and Social Issues, departed before the floor was opened for
public discussion. A representative of the Ministry of Culture
took notes, but he was not in a position to speak
authoritatively about the government's plans for future drafts.

Taking the Draft Law Off the Front Burner

===============================


4. (SBU) PolOff spoke to Abdullo Rahnamo, a researcher at the
Government-sponsored Center for Strategic Research, on the
margins of the OSCE round table. Rahnamo has become a respected
analyst on religious affairs, and is in a position to speak
credibly on the government's agenda. Rahnamo said that, as a
result of the November 7 conference, the government downgraded
the urgency of passing the new law on religion and is now
treating the law as a normal piece of legislation. The
government will likely not submit the draft to parliament until
next year.


5. (SBU) Rahnamo further added that government officials will
revise the current draft and amend some of the more problematic
provisions that have been criticized by religious groups and
non-governmental organizations. He said in particular that the
prohibition on political parties having a religious affiliation
will be amended or removed.


6. (SBU) Rahnamo cautioned that these developments represent a
minor shift in tactics by the government, as opposed to a
significant shift in policy. The government will likely use the
November 7 and 21 meetings to claim that there has been a
transparent, consultative drafting process. Government policy
is still aimed at exerting control over all aspects of religious
life, and the government will find other ways to limit the
political activities of the Islamic Renaissance Party.

Keeping the Fire Going

==================


7. (SBU) OSCE representatives also indicated to PolOff that the
government has not yet officially requested an ODIHR review of
the draft law. OSCE has been seeking such a request as a
mechanism for meaningful engagement with the government on the
issue. While OSCE has been waiting for this request, embassy
requested that a local partner of the International Center for
Not-for-Profit Law review the draft law. In lieu of ODIHR's
official participation, OSCE and other interested organizations
will be able to use the International Center's analysis as a
means of intervention with government officials.

Observations/Comment

==================


8. (SBU) Comment: Efforts to confront the government on the
draft law of religion have yielded a short term positive result.
The next draft of the law will likely contain some
improvements, but it will not constitute a capitulation to
religious groups and non-governmental organizations. OSCE

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deserves a lot of credit for raising the profile of the issue,
but Robbers' comments indicate that the organization will take a
very cautious approach from this point on. End comment.
HUSHEK