Statement from the delegation:
OSCE chairmanship must rest on respect for Freedom of Religion.
"We note with pleasure that Kazakhstan have made interreligious dialogue a priority for the chairmanship of the OSCE. However, there can be no interreligious dialogue without religious freedom. Improvements are necessary if Kazakhstan's international obligations are to be met", says President of the Oslo Center and former Prime minister of Norway, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik.
The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee discussed the human rights situation in the country in meetings with foreign minister Kanat Saudabayev, parliamentarians and high ranking officials in Astana 7th and 8th December 2009.
"Kazakhstan will receive a lot of attention during its chairmanship of the OSCE. Increased respect and recognition depend on implementation of the OSCE human dimension commitments. Implementing will be a key factor in determining the success of the chairmanship", says Mr. Bondevik.
Since 1992 Kazakhstan has been a participating state in the OSCE, and thereby bound by its commitments on human rights. In the meetings, the delegation stressed that the OSCE chairmanship must rest on respect for freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. Concerns were raised on a number of issues, notably;
o The requirement for religious communities to register with the state which is in breach of international standards.
o Reports that religious leaders have repeatedly been fined and congregations banned for leading unregistered religious worship.
o Reports that religious communities in Kazakhstan are routinely harassed by officials.
o Assessment of the laws on the practice of religion indicating that these are complex and hard to access, and not always complying with international human rights standards.
o Reports that there is a lack of knowledge among local officials on what is prohibited by law.
o Reports that religious leaders are subject to discorporate punishments from breach of the law.
o Spreading of slander and disinformation about religious groups, leading to less tolerance
After the meetings Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Mr. Bjorn Engesland said: "The Oslo Center and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee is determined to continue the dialogue with the government of Kazakhstan, parliamentarians and Kazak NGOs on the human rights situation in the country." In addition to secretary of state, foreign minister Kanat Saudabayev, the delegation also met with the deputy chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs, the National Ombudsman of the Republic of Kazakhstan as well as high ranking parliamentarians.
Source: elena@nhc.no