Kazakhstan (MNN) ― Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council has been deliberating on the country's controversial religion law.
Joel Griffith with Slavic Gospel Association says they just got the verdict: "It is, indeed, unconstitutional."
Among other provisions, the bill calls for explicitly banning unregistered religious activity and would ban anyone from sharing his or her beliefs without both the written backing of a registered religious association, as well as personal state registration as a missionary. In addition, it would require permission from both parents for children to attend any religious event.
There is some speculation that international pressure played a role in the Council's decision. Kazakhstan is due to assume the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010. Such a restrictive religion law flies in the face of what the OSCE stands for.
However, "The President has to review the opinion of the court, and he'll decide whether to agree or disagree with it within ten days. After the President renders his response, he could propose changes to the decision, but then two-thirds of the Constitutional Council has to support those revisions."
That's not all. According to a report from Forum 18 News Service, Yevgeni Zhovtis, head of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, says that the Constitutional Council's judgment also implies that the current Religion Law is unconstitutional.
This is good news for Christians. Facing particular harassment are members of the Council of Churches Baptists, who refuse on principle to register any of their congregations with the state. However, "Anyone charged with breaking the current Religion Law's limitations on religious freedom can cite the Constitutional Council's decision in court," Zhovtis said. "The court can then be asked to refer the current Religion Law to the Constitutional Council, for them to directly rule on the current Religion Law's constitutionality."
Your prayers have helped, but "it's not over yet," says Griffith. However, "it's a positive sign and one to definitely keep in prayer that the work of the Gospel in Kazakhstan would not be hindered."
