Krishna community issue at OSCE Warsaw

On September 26, 2007 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness attended the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw. During the plenary session dedicated to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, the crisis surrounding the Religious Organization Society for Krishna Consciousness was discussed.

The crisis involves the destruction of 26 homes of Krishna Hindus and the confiscation of the Society's 47 hectare property.

It was presented that the issue is primarily a case of selective discrimination and intolerance being directed at minority religious community. It was shown that the crisis is not a "property dispute" as promoted by the Kazakh government.

During the crisis only the residences of the Krishna Hindus have been targeted. Other homeowners in the area have identical legal status, but different religious affiliation, and their property rights have not been disturbed.

It was stated,

"When a religious community is targeted by an orchestrated campaign, conducted by the government to prevent the community from privatizing it's land, drive the members from their residences, seize and destroy their rightfully purchased homes, community land, and place of worship, it is much more than a "property issue". It is discrimination and intolerance exhibited by the administrative bodies."

There are more than 40 violation of due process and rule of law committed by the government administration in this case. Neither the National Religious Committee nor the administrative bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan have objectively considered these violations.

Members of OSCE delegations expressed deep ongoing concern over this issue.

In the address of the Ambassador of United States Mission to the OSCE Richard Williamson it was stated,

"In Kazakhstan, several government policies are clearly out of step with OSCE commitments. For instance, in their continued efforts to expropriate land belonging to the Hare Krishna commune outside Almaty, local officials have bulldozed 25 houses, leaving families homeless while maligning their religion.

Draft amendments to the religion law that would make more burdensome the registration requirements are also a concern. We encourage the government to request technical assistance from the OSCE Panel of Experts or OSCE Centre on these matters."

Non Government Organizations such as the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, Forum 18 News Service, and the Almaty Helsinki Committee expressed their deep concern that the Kazakh government has not fairly and punctually resolved this issue.

It was widely observed that a fair resolve in dealing with the Krishna Society and it's members would be seen as a positive and progressive initiative in light of Kazakhstan's ongoing aspirations for the Chairmanship of OSCE.

Source:            http://www.kazakhkrishna.com, October 1, 2007