USCIRF Delegation Traveled to Kazakhstan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions

USCIRF Delegation Traveled to Kazakhstan to Assess Religious Freedom Conditions

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Vicky Hartzler and Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi visited Kazakhstan to assess religious freedom.

“USCIRF welcomes Kazakhstan’s ongoing interest in engaging with the U.S. government, including meeting with our delegation while in-country,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. "During this trip, we applauded some incremental improvements to their laws but also highlighted severe religious freedom violations which still exist, including registration requirements by the government on houses of worship, the prohibition on the distribution of religious literature, restrictions on religious garb in schools, and the arbitrary application of a broad definition of extremism. Also, we are concerned to hear that government officials restricted the import and distribution of charitable goods, like Operation Christmas Child boxes, into the country.”

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended Kazakhstan to be included as a Special Watch List Country under the International Religious Freedom Act. USCIRF urges the Kazakh government to repeal or revise its laws to allow religious freedom to flourish.  Barring changes,  USCIRF urges the U.S. government to continue raising Kazakhstan’s religious freedom violations and advocate for the release of people imprisoned due to their religious beliefs.

 “The Kazakh government’s commitment to dialogue and engagement on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is encouraging. However, the religion law and related legislation continue to severely limit religious activities,” said Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. “Such significant limitations impact the religious practices of various groups, raising serious concerns about the state of religious freedom in the country.”

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]