March 23, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy vehemently denounces the new law signed today by Tajikistan's President Imomali Rakhmon that will severely restrict the religious freedom of multiple faith communities. This new law, which was passed by the Parliament earlier this month, is widely recognized throughout the international community as a move that legalizes some of the government's most repressive practices and policies.

Muslims make up about 97% of the country's population, with a majority of those adhering to the Hanafi School of Sunni Islam. The new law recognizes the special place Hannafi thought holds in Tajik society, but ultimately promotes an extreme form of secularism and as a result severely discriminates against all religious traditions, including the Muslim population.

Minority religions in Tajikistan have suffered immensely under prior government policies. Jehovah's Witnesses were completely banned from the country in 2007, the Salafi school of Islamic thought was declared illegal in January 2009, multiple mosques, synagogues, and churches have been closed or demolished, and all religious literature has been subject to government approval.

"Clearly the government intends to exert ultimate control over all forms of religious practice, which is in complete violation of international standards. As a member of the OSCE, UN, and international community, Tajikistan has a duty to uphold the rights of its citizens. Other members of the OSCE and the United States government must pressure Tajikistan to repeal this discriminatory law," says Institute Founder and President Joseph K. Grieboski.

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