The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Further restrictions imposed in Kazakhstan's draft religion law :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

Persecution News - Kazakhstan

Christian fined
(February 11, 2010)

Update: Christian again facing deportation
(December 02, 2009)

Christians fined and deported
(November 11, 2009)

Christians arrested and harassed by authorities
(September 02, 2009)

Pastors fined
(June 10, 2009)

Kazakhstan Profile

Total Area:
2,717,300 sq. km

Population:
15,340,533 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Uighur 1.4%, other 6.6% (1999)

Language:
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)

Religion:
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, Other 7%

Government Type:
Republic with an authoritarian presidential rule with little power outside the executive branch

Capital:
Astana

Population Below Poverty Line:
13.8% (2007)

Country Reports

Further restrictions imposed in Kazakhstan's draft religion law

November 19, 2008

Kazakhstan's draft religion law was amended with further restrictions on November 7, according to a November 18 report from Forum 18. The amendments to the law include mandating a fixed fine of 50 times the minimum monthly salary for those found guilty of worshipping, building or opening places of worship, or publishing or distributing religious literature without government permission. The proposed amendment would also require both parents to give permission before a child can attend a religious event and would ban believers from expressing their faith beyond their "own circle."

Pray that this law will not be approved. Ask God to work in the hearts of Kazakhstan's leaders so that they too will know the Good News.

For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians, click here.