IRFN (July 10-17): Cambodia Bans Proselytism, Distribution of Religious Literature

Jul 19, 2007

International Religious Freedom Archive
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1. Russia: Harassment of Koran Study Group Continues (July 11)
2. Kyrgyzstan Plans to for Tighter Control of Religious Groups (July 12)
3. Tajikistan Upholds Ban on Hijabs in Universities (July 12)
4. Azerbaijan: Baptist Pastor Set for July 20 Trial (July 16)
5. Cambodia Bans Proselytism, Distribution of Religious Literature (July 17)

Features:
"Turkey: Dangerous consequences of intolerance of religious minorities" by Dr. Otmar Oehring, Head of the Human Rights Office of Missio

Law of Apostasy and Freedom of Religion in Malaysia, from The Asian Journal of Comparative Law

1. Russia: Harassment of Koran Study Group Continues
July 11
Tatarstan, Russia
Forum 18 reports that Russian police continue to harass members of a women's religious study group, which met to study to Koran and the works of Turkish theologian Said Nursi. Official harassment began two years ago, when the FSB raided the homes of some of the fifty women involved in the group, confiscating literature and personal items. Five of the women were subjected to a psychiatric interrogation. The members recounted being quizzed about their religious beliefs and practices, and report that following the raids, police began to follow them to their homes and places of work. This May, a Russian court banned Said Nursi's commentary on the Koran, "Risale-i-Nur," calling it "extremist" literature.

2. Kyrgyzstan Plans to for Tighter Control of Religious Groups
July 12
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Radio Free Europe reports that Kyrgyzstan's Agency for Religious Affairs plans to introduce five bills which would increase state control over religious activity. The head of the Agency, Toygonbek Kalmatov, said that the new controls would be aimed at repressing the activity of illegal religious groups in the country, of which there were at least five hundred, according to his estimate. He explained that authorities would also attempt to educate the public about such groups and "the dangers that they pose to society."

3. Tajikistan Upholds Ban on Hijabs in Universities
July 12
Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe reports that a judge in Tajikistan has rejected a student's legal challenge for her right to wear a hijab on campus at the State Institute of Languages, thus affirming a decision made by the Tajik Ministry of Education to ban the hijab in state schools. Davlatmoh Ismoilova, the student in question, has vowed to continue her battle until all legal avenues are exhausted, though the actions of the Ministry of Education suggest that the ban will remain in place. Last April, Abdujabbor Rahmonov, the Minister of Education, visited the country's universities and announced that female students would need to choose between wearing the headscarf and obtaining a university education.

4. Azerbaijan: Baptist Pastor Set for July 20 Trial
July 16
Aliabad, Azerbaijan
Forum 18 reports that Zaur Balaev, a Baptist pastor from Aliabad in northern Azerbaijan, will be tried on July 20th for "application of violence [and] resistance with application of violence" in relation to an incident on May 20 when police raided a church service where Balaev was present. Officers claim that Balaev attacked five policemen and set a dog onto them before damaging a police car, though the pastor and other village residents deny the charges. The indictment also alleges that Balaev conducts "illegal meetings...without state registration." If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

5. Cambodia Bans Proselytism, Distribution of Religious Literature
July 17
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Agence France Presse reports that Cambodia's Ministry of Cults and Religions has issued a new directive aimed at limiting proselytism and distribution of religious literature, amid fears that children were being enticed into abandoning Buddhism in favor of other religions, primarily Christianity. Distribution of religious literature will now be permitted only at churches, and Christian groups will no longer be allowed to engage in door-to-door proselytism. Additionally, all proposals for new churches will need to receive approval from the Ministry before construction can begin.