Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA1873
2008-09-25 11:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS PASS
how-toVZCZCXRO1476 OO RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTA #1873 2691150 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251150Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3401 INFO RUCNOSC/OSCE POST COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ASTANA 001873
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS PASS
MAZHILIS, HEAD FOR SENATE
REF: ASTANA 1850
UNCLAS ASTANA 001873
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS PASS
MAZHILIS, HEAD FOR SENATE
REF: ASTANA 1850
1. (U) On September 24, the Mazhilis -- the lower house of
parliament -- passed at a second reading a package of
amendments to Kazakhstan's religion law. There were no
significant changes made to the legislation during the
reading. The bill will now move to the Senate for
consideration, although it is not yet clear when the Senate
will begin discussing it. If the Senate approves the
legislation with no changes, it will go to President
Nazarbayev, who can sign it into law or veto it.
2. (SBU) Comment: Key NGO leaders told us previously that
they view the current text of the legislation as "deficient"
and an "infringement on religious freedom." They plan to
lobby the Senate and, if necessary, the Presidential
Administration, with the hope of stopping it. We will work
with like-minded OSCE partners in urging the Senate to fully
take into account ODIHR's recommendations as it reviews the
legislation. End Comment.
MILAS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS PASS
MAZHILIS, HEAD FOR SENATE
REF: ASTANA 1850
1. (U) On September 24, the Mazhilis -- the lower house of
parliament -- passed at a second reading a package of
amendments to Kazakhstan's religion law. There were no
significant changes made to the legislation during the
reading. The bill will now move to the Senate for
consideration, although it is not yet clear when the Senate
will begin discussing it. If the Senate approves the
legislation with no changes, it will go to President
Nazarbayev, who can sign it into law or veto it.
2. (SBU) Comment: Key NGO leaders told us previously that
they view the current text of the legislation as "deficient"
and an "infringement on religious freedom." They plan to
lobby the Senate and, if necessary, the Presidential
Administration, with the hope of stopping it. We will work
with like-minded OSCE partners in urging the Senate to fully
take into account ODIHR's recommendations as it reviews the
legislation. End Comment.
MILAS