Jul 20

WHEN:

Jul 20th 10:30am - Jul 20th 12:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Religious Freedom in Tajikistan: Policy Options for a Country of Particular Concern

Thursday, July 20, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

Hearing Summary

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Tajikistan and how the U.S. government can work with the country to address violations.

With the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief’s official visit to the country this past April, the government of Tajikistan has a unique opportunity to reform laws and policies that severely constrict religious practice and expression. Similarly, the U.S. government has an opportunity to look for new ways to engage Tajikistan to lift religious freedom restrictions and allow religious communities to worship more freely.

The U.S. Department of State has designated Tajikistan as a country of particular concern since 2016 for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. Since 2009, the government of Tajikistan has passed and enforced a web of laws controlling and restricting religious expression and practice for the country’s majority Sunni Muslim population, as well as minority Shi’a Muslims, Christians, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Youth under the age of 18 and women are prohibited from attending public religious services, religious education outside of the nuclear family is banned, religious literature must be approved by the state, and any religious gathering or expression outside of the state’s regulation is met with fines and prison sentences.

Witnesses discussed the government of Tajikistan’s legal framework and enforcement for controlling religious practice and offered policy options the U.S. government could take to encourage space for religious freedom in the country.

Opening Remarks

Panel I

  • Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
    Written Testimony

Panel II

  • Felix Corley, Editor, Forum 18 News Service
    Written Testimony
  • Bakhtiyor Safarov, Founder, Central Asia Consulting; Human Rights Defender
    Written Testimony
  • Edward Lemon, President, Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs; Research Assistant Professor, Bush School, Texas A&M
    Written Testimony

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please email Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected] or (202) 702-2778.

Additional Name(s): Ernest Seytosmanov, Эрнеса Сейтосманова

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 17 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 18 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/9/2022

Date of Sentencing: May/24/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Ernes Seytosmanov

Extra Bio Info:

Ernes Seytosmanov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On February 9, 2022, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several individuals, including Seytosmanov, after searching their homes. Investigators accused Osmanov of leading a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, possessing specific religious literature, discussing religion, and recruiting members to the organization. He was charged with "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

On May 24, 2023, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Seytosmanov to 18 years in prison.

On November 1, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal reduced Seytosmanov's sentence by six months in prison to 17 years and six months in prison on charges of  “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

Related Cases: Marlen Mustafayev, Ametkhan Abdulvapov, Ansar Osmanov

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Said Abu Mustafa, Said Mansur Rezk Abdelrazek, Саиду Абу Мустафе, Сайду Мансуру Резку Абдельразеку

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 1 Year, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/6/2023

Date of Sentencing: November/10/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Public Disorder

Said Abdelrazek

Extra Bio Info:

Said Abdelrazek is imprisoned for blasphemy.

On July 6 , 2023, authorities in Ulyanovsk detained Abdelrazek, an Egyptian citizen, after he posted a video of himself trampling a Qur'an, pouring alcohol over it, and then throwing it off a bridge. He also made derogatory comments about the Qur'an. Abdelrazek was reportedly charged with "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC).

In August 2023, it was reported that prosecutors approved Abdelrazek's indictment and referred him to court on charges of "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers...committed in places specially designated for holding divine services, other religious rites and ceremonies" (Art. 148-2 RCC). However, later sourcing proved this to be inaccurate.

On November 10, 2023, the Zasviyazhsky District Court of Ulyanovsk sentenced Abdelrazek to one year and six months in prison and fined him 150,000 rubles for "public actions expressing obvious disrespect for society and committed with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers" (Art. 148-1 RCC) and hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or enmity (Art. 213-1 RCC). 

On February 8, 2024, the Ulyanovsk Regional Court upheld Abdelrazek's sentence.

Sources:
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