USAID Promotes International Religious Freedom Standards and
Dialogue on Religion and Government in Kyrgyzstan
In June, USAID funded a series of trainings and workshops to promote understanding of religious freedom and address the most pressing religious issues in the Kyrgyz Republic. The seminars focused on international religious freedom standards for a cross section of professionals and students from governmental and non-governmental organizations in Bishkek. The trainings, led by an internationally recognized religious freedom expert, Professor W. Cole Durham, Jr., provided a broad perspective on religious freedom issues, as laid out in international law.
Simultaneously, a series of eight roundtable discussions, organized in cooperation with the State Agency for Religious Affairs, focused on international religious freedom standards, Kyrgyz legislation, and government policies on religion. These discussions were attended by religious leaders, representatives from non-governmental organizations and local government from around the country. During the discussion, participants also provided inputs on drafting changes to the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations. Workshop proposals to amend the current law will be presented to parliamentarians and other government and civil society representatives during a conference next month.
 |
Participants presented proposals to amend the current Law on
Freedom of Conscience
Photo Credit: David Hunsicker, USAID |
Back to Top ^ |
