Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a member of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In order to make a good impression, the authorities in Kazakhstan suspended a planned new law on religion which would have particularly harmed religious groups, both Muslim and Christian. Because of this suspension, the country dropped off the World Watch List last year. But in September 2011, two laws were passed by parliament, which further imposed restrictions on religious rights. The laws require the re-registration of all religious communities - an impossible hurdle for several smaller Christian communities. Unregistered religious activity is banned, and leading, participating in or financing unregistered groups is a punishable offense. All materials face censorship, new places of worship need approval from local and national government offcies, founders of religious communities must be Kazakh citizens, and work among the youth will definitely become more problematic.

Examples of Persecution: unknown

Please Pray:

• For churches trying to re-register themselves under the new, complex system (with 4 levels of registration)
• For the church leaders and people in ministry - that God would give them strength  and guidance in their roles