Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE112600
2008-10-22 19:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1746
PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #2600 2961919
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 221915Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 4730
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 112600 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM IN KAZAKHSTAN

UNCLAS STATE 112600

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM IN KAZAKHSTAN


1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the October 23 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.

Begin Text:

Mr. Chairman,

The United States takes note that the lower chamber of the
Kazakhstani parliament passed on September 24th draft
amendments to legislation on freedom of religion and
religious associations.

We are pleased that Kazakhstan solicited feedback from ODIHR
experts, non-governmental organizations and religious groups
on the original draft of these amendments, and we welcome the
improvements that were made to the text as a result of these
consultations.

Nevertheless, the United States remains concerned that
certain provisions of the current draft legislation are both
out of line with OSCE commitments on religious freedom and do
not reflect the leadership on this issue that Kazakhstan's
2010 Chairmanship presumes. These amendments to Kazakhstan's
religion law would seriously limit the activities of smaller
religious groups and would require all religious groups to
re-register under potentially more restrictive procedures.

Many Kazakhstani officials have pointed out in this Permanent
Council and in other forums the great achievement of
religious pluralism and tolerance that exists in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan can be an example to other OSCE member states by
reflecting this in its law. At the Madrid Ministerial, the
Government of Kazakhstan underscored that "the dialogue
between religions and people is the imperative demand of our
time."

In this same spirit, we urge the Senate of Kazakhstan to
review the draft amendments to ensure that they adhere to
OSCE principles and commitments. We are encouraged that ODIHR
and the Government of Kazakhstan appear willing to continue
cooperation on this important piece of legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE