International Religious Freedom News (June 26 - July 3)

1. Another Religiously-Motivated Deportation in Uzbekistan
June 26
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Forum 18 reports that Sayora (last name withheld at her request), a citizen of Tajikistan, was jailed and subsequently deported from Uzbekistan, where she had lived for the last ten years, allegedly on account of her involvement with a Pentecostal church there.  Sayora and other members of her church were arrested when Uzbekistan's secret police, the National Security Service, raided the home of an elderly member of their congregation whom they were visiting. Sayora's case is the latest of what are thought to be religiously-motivated deportations from Uzbekistan, with Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants generally encountering the most severe problems.

2. Chinese Authorities Confiscate Muslim Passports Before Hajj
June 27
Northwest China
Radio Free Asia reports that Chinese authorities have begun to confiscate the passports of Muslims in northwest China, apparently with the intention of keeping them from embarking on the Hajj. Pilgrims would traditionally begin to make their travel plans around this time for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a religious requirement for all Muslim men of good health and financial capability.  Authorities have requested that all residents turn in their passports to local officials, saying that the documents must be registered and will become invalid otherwise, though local sources report that the only passports being held are those belonging to Muslims, specifically Uighurs.

3. Malaysian State Sets Harsher Punishments for Proselytism
June 27
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Associated Press reports changes to the laws of Kelantan State, Malaysia, will now mean that those found guilty of proselytizing to Muslims will face harsher penalties. Kelantan State, which is governed by the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, approved the changes on Tuesday, as according to officials, the present situation in the region called for stricter laws to deter proselytism. Prior to this week, those found preaching to Muslims would have been punished with a maximum of two years in prison or a fine amounting to nearly 1,500 USD. Those convicted of proselytizing now face up to five years in prison, fines of 2,800 USD or six lashes with a rattan cane.

4. Moldovan President Rejects More Liberal Religious Law
June 28
Chisinau, Moldova
Itar-Tass reports that Moldova's president, Vladimir Voronin, has returned a new law on religions to the country's Parliament unsigned, saying it needed to be refined.  Voronin stated that the simpler religious registration procedures set out by the law would make it too easy for new groups to engage in proselytism, and, in accordance with the wishes of Moldovan Orthodox priests, objected to the omission of a mention of Eastern Orthodoxy as the country's "traditional religion".

5. Thailand Rejects Plans for State Religion
June 29
Bangkok, Thailand
The Associated Press reports that the committee responsible for drafting Thailand's new constitution has voted, by 66 to 19, to reject a proposal to make Buddhism the state religion.  Over the protests of Buddhist monks, members of the committee opined that establishing a state religion would create more problems in the country than it would solve.  Buddhists claim that their religion is threatened by the growing influence of Islam in the country and that only constitutional recognition would protect Buddhism as the country's foremost religion, while Muslims in the south complain of discrimination at the hands of the Buddhist majority.

6. Proposed Religious Law Creates Worry in Tajikistan
July 2
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Forum 18 reports that a draft law on religions will be reviewed by the parliament of Tajikistan when it returns from summer recess in August. Already, the draft has caused concern among Tajikistan's religious minorities, as the law would limit the number of mosques in the country and render it nearly impossible for non-Muslim religious groups to register, due to the high number of members the law would mandate as a requirement for legal status. To complicate matters, officials say they will not consider new applications for registration of religious groups until the law is adopted, leaving new religious communities who wish to obtain legal status in limbo.