Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE5543
2009-01-21 22:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON LAW ON
how-toVZCZCXRO1887 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR DE RUEHC #5543 0212226 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 212218Z JAN 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 7239 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 005543
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON LAW ON
RELIGION IN KYRGYZSTAN
UNCLAS STATE 005543
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON LAW ON
RELIGION IN KYRGYZSTAN
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
January 22, 2009, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna:
Begin Text:
Madam Chairwoman,
The United States expresses its regret that Kyrgyz President
Bakiyev on January 12 signed a decree promulgating a
restrictive law on religion that we believe is inconsistent
with several of Kyrgyzstan,s OSCE commitments on freedom of
belief and assembly. This is the third time the United States
has conveyed to the Permanent Council its concern about this
law.
As reported by ODIHR,s Advisory Council on Freedom of
Religion or Belief, provisions in the law impose burdensome
constraints and barriers to registration, including a
prohibitively high required minimum number of members to
officially register a religious organization. The provisions
also restrict freedom of expression, including the
dissemination of religious material. Other provisions in the
new law are vague, and could invite confusion and variations
in its interpretation and application by authorities.
While the stated intention of the law to combat violence
associated with religious extremism may be worthwhile, the
United States believes that the law could result in
diminished religious freedom and tolerance in the Kyrgyz
Republic. We view the adoption of this law as a step backward
in a country that has come so far.
We hope the Kyrgyz mission to the OSCE will relay these
concerns to authorities in Bishkek, and ask President Bakiyev
to consider asking Parliament to repeal the law.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
End text.
BURNS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON LAW ON
RELIGION IN KYRGYZSTAN
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
January 22, 2009, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna:
Begin Text:
Madam Chairwoman,
The United States expresses its regret that Kyrgyz President
Bakiyev on January 12 signed a decree promulgating a
restrictive law on religion that we believe is inconsistent
with several of Kyrgyzstan,s OSCE commitments on freedom of
belief and assembly. This is the third time the United States
has conveyed to the Permanent Council its concern about this
law.
As reported by ODIHR,s Advisory Council on Freedom of
Religion or Belief, provisions in the law impose burdensome
constraints and barriers to registration, including a
prohibitively high required minimum number of members to
officially register a religious organization. The provisions
also restrict freedom of expression, including the
dissemination of religious material. Other provisions in the
new law are vague, and could invite confusion and variations
in its interpretation and application by authorities.
While the stated intention of the law to combat violence
associated with religious extremism may be worthwhile, the
United States believes that the law could result in
diminished religious freedom and tolerance in the Kyrgyz
Republic. We view the adoption of this law as a step backward
in a country that has come so far.
We hope the Kyrgyz mission to the OSCE will relay these
concerns to authorities in Bishkek, and ask President Bakiyev
to consider asking Parliament to repeal the law.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
End text.
BURNS