Oct 3, 2023
USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Kyrgyzstan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Kyrgyzstan Country Update - This report provides an overview of the religious freedom landscape in Kyrgyzstan by outlining the laws and trends that impact religious communities’ ability to freely practice their beliefs. The government unduly restricts religious activities through various laws, policies, and actions that violate international human rights standards and has recently taken additional steps to further reduce religious freedom. The report summarizes Kyrgyzstan’s 2008 religion law and discusses its law on extremism, under which religious groups have been banned as “extremist” organizations and alleged members of these organizations targeted for their peaceful religious activities. The report also outlines issues pertinent to certain Christian groups, individuals prosecuted for their online religious activities, and the Jewish community in Bishkek.
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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].
Oct 2, 2023
USCIRF Releases Report on the Prosecution of Online Religious Activity in Kazakhstan
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Prosecuting Online Religious Activity in Kazakhstan - This report highlights the systematic targeting, prosecution, and punishment of Muslims in Kazakhstan for their online religious activity and highlights the cases of eight known individuals who have received prison sentences on this basis. Under the guise of combating “extremism,” the Kazakh government tightly surveils and restricts religious activity. While Kazakhstan’s religious freedom violations impact all religious groups, the individuals who are imprisoned related to their religious activity are all Muslims. Authorities regularly target Muslims who deviate from the state sanctioned version of Islam and conduct religious activities—largely online—that are not authorized by the government. The report concludes with policy recommendations to the U.S. government.
In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State include Kazakhstan on its Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. In May 2023, a USCIRF commissioner delegation visited Kazakhstan to assess religious freedom conditions.
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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].
Additional Name(s): سینا شهری
Gender: Male
Current Location: Tabliz Prison, Tabliz
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/27/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Sina Shahri is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On January 17, 2022, authorities in Tabriz arrested Shahri at his home reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Authorities reportedly confiscated some of his personal belongings, including religious materials.
In February 2022, Shahri was released on bail.
On an unspecified date, a court reportedly sentenced Shahri to eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime."
On an unspecified date, the Court of Appeal of East Azarbaijan province reportedly confirmed Shahri's sentence.
On September 27, 2023, Shahri reported to Tabriz Prison to begin serving his sentence.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
HRANA English, Tweet, September 28, 2023
"Sina Shahri, a Baha’i Citizen Living in Tabriz, Started Serving His Eight-Month Prison Sentence" Iran Press Watch
HRANA English, Tweet, February 3, 2022
"Baha’i Citizen Sina Shahri Arrested By Agents of Ministry of Intelligence" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)