The State Commission on Religious Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has proposed several important initiatives to regulate religious activity in the country and in particular, a ban on face coverings that hinder citizen identification in state institutions and public places.
The ban will not apply to protective masks, and a draft decree, carrying a proposed fine equivalent to 235 USD for violation of the law, has now been submitted for public discussion.
In addition, the State Committee of Religion also proposes banning the distribution of religious literature and other materials in public places, residential premises, state and municipal institutions, and educational organizations.
Recommendations have also been mooted to prohibit religious figures from foreign organizations from conducting ceremonies and events in nursing homes, correctional institutions, and military units without prior approval of the authorized body.
A further proposal is the implementation of a ban on religious organizations’ interference in the activities of public authorities and local self-government bodies, and on financing political parties by subjects of spiritual activity.
Administrative liability is envisaged for violation of these prohibitions, the aim of which is to strengthen state control, and prevent abuse, of religious activity.
Laws prohibiting face coverings are already in place in several countries. France and Belgium for example, have strict bans on burkas and niqabs in public places, and in Sri Lanka, similar measures have been introduced to combat religious extremism. In the Republic of Congo and Chad, such laws were imposed to improve security despite the low Muslim population.
Post-Soviet countries have adopted similar laws but on a limited scale. Azerbaijan restricts religious dress in public institutions, whilst motivated by concern for national identity and the secular nature of the state, Tajikistan has imposed a law banning the hijab in public institutions and schools since 2017.
