The State Commission for Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCRA KR) held a public discussion of the draft Law “On Amending the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic” on 27 June 2018 in Bishkek.

            This draft was developed in order to implement the decision No. 1 of the Defense Council of the Kyrgyz Republic on state policy in the sphere of religion of 3 February 2014 and in pursuance of Decrees of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 24 of 7 February 2014 and No. 203 of 14 November 2014.

           The aim of the draft is to improve and systematize legislation in the religious sphere and the area of ensuring freedom of religion and to streamline the system of regulation of the activities of religious organizations, religious educational institutions, missions and missionaries.

            Amendments and additions to the draft are aimed at eliminating factors that carry potential risks of destabilizing state-confessional relations and disorganizing state powers to regulate the religious sphere, eliminating contradictions and conflicts within the current law, bringing the norms of this law into line with constitutional principles, defining more clearly the rights, duties and responsibilities of religious organizations and state bodies, streamlining and optimizing procedural issues, addressing gaps and deficiencies in the regulation of religious issues, ensuring the effective functioning of this law.

          Representatives of ministries and agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic, religious and non-governmental organizations, and independent experts took part in the discussion of the draft.