Source: Forum 18, April 11, 2018
A research institute attached to the Religious Affairs Department of West Kazakhstan Region instructed some local registered religious communities to submit by April 10 [the] full names, ages, place of study, and personal state-assigned numbers of all people under the age of 18 who come to meetings for worship. The official who sent the letter claimed to Forum 18 the information is needed for “monitoring.” Kazakh human rights defenders have expressed concern about the move.
“It was not sent to Muslims, for example, just to Christians, and selectively,” an official stated.
After the deadline expired, the official who issued the instruction told Forum 18 that five religious leaders who replied had all refused to supply the personal data. “We accepted this,” he claimed. He added that he would apologize to them “verbally,” but defended his original instruction seeking the information.
A Deputy Head of the Religious Affairs Committee in the capital Astana, Balgabek Myrzayev, claimed to Forum 18 he knew nothing about the letter. He refused to say whether such a demand for personal data on people under 18 without their parents’ or guardians’ permission is legal or not.
Religious leaders risk prosecution if people under 18 attend meetings for worship against the wishes of at least one of their parents or guardians.
» Full story includes all the details and several links for those who want to understand the whole situation.
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