Religious Freedom in Kazakhstan

Agency for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Religious organisations in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Astana, November 2012

The English version of this publication was made with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Astana

Within a year from adoption of this Law religious associations shall make relevant revisions to their foundation documents to comply with this Law. Simultaneously, documents confirming the status of a religious association shall be provided to the registering agency.

Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Religious Activity and Religious Associations” dated 11th October 2011

2

According to the Law religious association and other legal entities serving religious interests and needs shall make relevant revisions to their foundation documents within a year from the date this Law was adopted.


3

Upon expiry of the above indicated period legal entities that failed to bring their foundation documents in compliance with this Law shall be liquidated through a judicial procedure upon request of the agency responsible for state registration of religious associations.


4

A religious association shall be founded at the initiative of the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan aged 18 or more after having held a foundation meeting (congress, conference) resulting in a decision to start a religious association with organizational name, regulations and board identified. Such citizens shall attend the foundation meeting (congress, conference) in person at their own free will.


5

A religious association shall have the following characteristics:1) Common religious doctrine;2) Performance of religious rites, ceremonies and preaching;3) Religious upbringing of its followers;4) Spiritual orientation of its activity.


6

In accordance with their foundation documents republican and regional religious associations shall be entitled to start, in the form of legal entities, spiritual (religious) education organizations delivering professional training courses for the clergy.

Foundation and operation of legal entities engaged in religious activity in an organizational form different from that of a religious association shall not be permitted with the exception of spiritual (religious) education organizations.


7

Establishment of any organisational structure of religious associations based in government agencies, public organisations and institutions as well as in educational and health care organisations shall be prohibited.


8

The name of a religious association shall reflect its confessional affiliation and status.

Full or abbreviated name and its acronym shall not completely or substantially duplicate the state symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan or those of other states, names or symbols of the Kazakhstan government authorities, religious associations registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan or religious associations banned and (or) liquidated due to violation of the Kazakhstan law.


9

A religious association shall become legally capable after its state registration has been obtained.

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be responsible for state registration of republican and regional religious associations.

Local (territorial) judicial authorities shall be responsible for state registration of local religious associations and record registration of branches and representative offices of religious associations.


10

For registration purposes, an application shall be submitted to the registering agency within two months after the decision to start a religious association is taken. The following documents shall be attached to the application:

1) A foundation charter of the religious association signed by the head of the religious association;

2) Minutes of the foundation meeting (congress, conference);3) Soft and hard copies of the list of the citizens who have initiated

foundation of the religious association. Such list shall be presented in the form determined by the registering agency;

4) A document confirming location of religious association;5) Printed religious materials describing the background and religious

doctrine and containing information on entailed religious activity;6) Document confirming payment of fee for state registration of a legal

entity;7) Resolution about election of the head of religious association, or, in

case the head has been appointed an overseas religious center, document confirming approval by the authorised body.


11

When registering a regional religious association the following complementary documents shall be provided: list of participants of each local religious association that initiated foundation of the regional religious association (list shall be presented in the form determined by the registering agency) as well as notarized copies of foundation charters of local religious associations.

To confirm their status, within a year from the date of registration, republican religious associations shall submit to the registering agency copies of documents confirming record registration of their structural subdivisions (branches and representative offices) at the local judicial authorities (Paragraph 5).

In case of failure to comply with Paragraph 5 of this Article a republican religious association shall be reorganized or liquidated in accordance with the procedure as specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.


12

State registration of religious associations and record registration of branches (representative offices), re-registration and refusal to register shall be executed as per the procedure within the period specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State Registration of Legal Entities and Record Registration of Branches and Representative Offices” that shall account for any peculiarities as specified in this Law.


13

The period of state registration (re-registration) shall be suspended to allow time for theological review and checking of the list of initiators of a religious association to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Law.

No later than three business days after deciding to suspend state registration (re-registration) the registering agency shall forward to the authorised agency copies of documents required for theological review and checking of the list of initiators of a religious association.

Decision to grant state registration of a religious association or rejection thereof shall be made based on the findings of theological review and checking of the list of initiators of the religious association .


14

A religious association shall operate in accordance with its Charter that shall include the following details:

1) name, subject and purpose of its activity;2) location and locality where the association carries out its activity;3) structure, formation procedure and mandate of the governing board;4) rights and responsibilities of the members (participants);5) confessional affiliation, religious doctrine and entailed religious

activities; 6) terms and procedure for admission to and cessation of membership

in a religious association;7) sources of property;8) procedure for revision and amendment of the foundation documents;9) terms for reorganisation and cessation of its activity;10) procedure for disposal of the property in case of liquidation;11) information on branches and representative offices.


15

The Charter of a religious association may contain other provisions related to its activity and not contradicting the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Information on religious doctrine and religious activity shall describe main religious ideas, forms of activity of a religious association, peculiar views on marriage and family, education, health of followers (members) of the given religious association and of other persons as well as view on enjoyment of constitutional rights and responsibilities of its members and clergymen.


16

State registration of a religious association or record registration of its structural subdivision (branch and representative office) shall be denied in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in cases when information contained in foundation or other submitted documents is unauthentic and (or) when the association in question is not acknowledged as a religious association based on the findings of theological review.

Decision to deny registration may be appealed in court.


17

Religious associations may be reorganized in accordance with the law through merging, affiliation, division, reorganization and separation based on the decision of the body authorized to do so as per the foundation documents or based on judicial decision. A religious association may only be re-organized into a different religious association or private institution. Organizations formed as a result of reorganization of religious associations can be registered as religious associations if they comply with the requirements of this Law.

Operation of a religious association shall be suspended or liquidated as specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.


18

In case of liquidation or cessation of operation of a religious association its property shall be disposed in accordance with its Charter and the existing laws of the Republic Kazakhstan.

In case of absence of successors the property shall be passed into the ownership of the Government in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on State Property.


19

As of 25 October 2012, 3,088 religious associations and branches thereof

representing 17 confessions remained in Kazakhstan.

As of 1 January 2011, there were 4,551 religious associations and branches thereof representing 46 confessions, including small religious groups with no

characteristics of a legal entity.

The number of religious organisations has reduced by 32% or 1/3.

20

Islam is a monotheistic world religion that emerged in the early 7th century. Islam reached Kazakhstan 12 centuries ago.

The preamble of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Religious Activity and Religious Associations” emphasizes the historical role of Sunni Islam of Hanafi Madh’hab in the cultural and spiritual development of the Kazakh people.

21

As of the beginning of 2012, there were 2,811 Islamic communities.

22

The Republican Islamic Association “Dukhovnoe upravlenie musulman Kazakhstana” (Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Kazakhstan, hereinafter referred to as DUMK) was registered on 19 June 2012. 2,228 mosques covering all regions of the country were registered as branches of this association.

Branches of DUMK (Mosques) in Kazakhstan

.

Akmola OblastPavlodar OblastKostanai Oblast

South Kazakhstan Oblast

Almaty Oblast

Karagandy Oblast

Zhambyl Oblast

Kyzylorda Oblast

Aktobe Oblast

Atyrau Oblast

Mangystau Oblast

West KazakhstanOblast

North Kazakhstan Oblast

East Kazakhstan Oblast

Astana City

Almaty City

23

Total: 2,228

7

28

43

26

18

66

139

122

670

266

388

189

9377

64

32

(25.10.2012)

Orthodoxy is one of the Christian denominations.

In Kazakhstan it is represented by the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Armenian Apostolic Church and Old Believers’ communities. In early 2011 304 Orthodox associations were registered in Kazakhstan.

24

25

National Association “Mitropolichiy Okrug” (Metropolitan Eparchy) consisting of 9 dioceses and 261 parishes was registered on 17 October 2012.

The Armenian Apostolic Church and 8 Old Believers’ Churches that had existed before were also re-registered.

Kazakhstan Orthodox Churches

Note: In addition, an Armenian Apostolic Church operates in Almaty as well as Old Believers’ Churches in East Kazakhstan Oblast (4), West Kazakhstan Oblast (2), Almaty (1), Kostanai Oblast (1).

Akmola Oblast Pavlodar Oblast Kostanai Oblast


Almaty Oblast

Karagandy Oblast

Zhambyl Oblast

Kyzylorda Oblast

Aktobe Oblast

Atyrau Oblast

Mangystau Oblast



East Kazakhstan Oblast

Astana City

Almaty City

26

Total: 261

4

12

13

2

1

6

1

24

18

645

35

14 24

29

27

(25.10.2012)

Catholicism is one of the Christian denominations. Its religious doctrine is based on the Bible and the Holy Scripture. Its basic provisions are described in the Catholic Catechism.

79 Roman Catholic churches are active in Kazakhstan.

27

Catholic Churches in Kazakhstan

.


Almaty Oblast

Zhambyl Oblast

Kyzylorda Oblast

Aktobe Oblast

Atyrau Oblast

Mangystau Oblast


West Kazakhstan Oblast

Astana City

Almaty City

28

Total: 79

4

3

2

1

2 18

1

6

6

812

11

5

(25.10.2012)

Kostanai Oblast


Karagandisnakay Oblast

Akmola Oblast Pavlodar Oblast

Lutheranism is one of the Protestant movements in Christianity. Lutheranism emerged in the 16th century as a result of reformation trends in Germany.

№ Locality Registered organisations

1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 3

3 Almaty Oblast 2

4 Akmola Oblast 1

5 Zhambyl Oblast 1

6 Karagandy Oblast 1

7 East Kazakhstan Oblast 1

8 Kostanai Oblast 1

9 North Kazakhstan Oblast

1

10 Pavlodar Oblast 1

13 local religious associations were re-registered in 2012.

There were 32 religious associations in Kazakhstan in early 2011.

29


1 Astana 4

2 Almaty 12

3 Akmola Oblast 5

4 Aktobe Oblast 4

5 Almaty Oblast 23

6 Atyrau Oblast 2


8 Zhambyl Oblast 8

9 West Kazakhstan Oblast 1


11 Kostanai Oblast 5

12 Kyzylorda Oblast 3

13 Mangystau Oblast 1


15 North Kazakhstan Oblast 6

16 South Kazakhstan Oblast 11

Baptism is one of the Protestant movements in Christianity that emerged in the early 17th century. Its religious doctrine shares general Christian ideas and Protestant dogmas regarding the Trinity, divinity of Christ and general Protestant ideas regarding the Salvation.


364 religious associations and small religious groups and branches were registered in Kazakhstan in early 2011.

30

Methodism emerged in the 18th century in England.

Methodism doctrine follows the canons of Classical Protestantism accepting the Bible and requiring methodical observance of religious regulations.


1 Almaty 3

2 Astana 1

3 Almaty Oblast 2

4 Akmola Oblast 1

5 Zhambyl Oblast 1


7 Pavlodar Oblast 2


In early 2011, 18 religious associations were registered in Kazakhstan.

31



One local religious association were re-registered in 2012.

In early 2011, 6 religious associations were registered in Kazakhstan.

Mennonitism is one of the earlier Protestant movements that derived its name from its founder Menno Simons.

32

Pentecostalism

Sun Bok Ym

«Agapae» Mission

«New Life»

«Labour»

«Author of Life»

2011 201211 9

2011 2012 46 23

2011 201255 38

2011 2012

10 5

2011 2012

55 28

Pentecostalism emerged in the late 19th century – early 20th century in the USA.

A specific feature of Pentecostalism is accepting, as a separate religious dogma, Revelation of the Advent on the date of Pentecost when Apostols and other pupils of Jesus Christ received the power of the Holy Spirit.

In early 2011, 400 religious associations, small religious groups and branches were registered in Kazakhstan.


33

71

14 14

8

13

42 3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Grace Hope Immanuel Nazarene

2011 2012

Presbyterianism is one of the Protestant movements.

Presbyterianism is considered one of Calvinism branches and, in a wider interpretation, that of the Reformed Church.

Presbyterian doctrine is based on the belief in the supreme powers of God and that only belief is required to get God’s Grace.

In early 2011, 229 religious associations, small religious groups and branches were registered in Kazakhstan.


Presbyterianism

34


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 5

3 Akmola Oblast 1

4 Aktobe Oblast 1

5 Almaty Oblast 10

6 Atyrau Oblast 1


8 Zhambyl Oblast 9




12 Kyzylorda Oblast 1

13 Mangystau Oblast 1




Jehovah's Witnesses emerged in the 1870s in the USA. Main provisions of its religious doctrine are described in seven volumes of “Scripture Search” written by Charles Russell, the founder.

70 religious associations were registered in Kazakhstan in early 2011.


35

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a Protestant movement that emerged in 1843 in the USA. Ex-baptist William Miller founded the Adventist Doctrine. Adventists refer to the Bible as the only rule of the faith and life. They believe in the Second Coming of Christ and treat Saturday as the day of rest and peace.


1 Astana 2

2 Almaty 3

3 Akmola Oblast 4

4 Aktobe Oblast 1

5 Almaty Oblast 4

6 Atyrau Oblast 1


8 Zhambyl Oblast 4




12 Kyzylorda Oblast

13 Manghistau Oblast 1






36


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 1

3 Akmola Oblast 1

4 Zhambyl Oblast 1


6 Pavlodar Oblast 1



New Apostolic Church emerged in 1832 in England and it is one of the main churches in Germany after Catholicism and Lutherans.

The New Apostolic Church accepts the Bible as the basis of its belief accepting the special role of Apostles.



37

Judaism is the Jewish national religion. Strict monotheism is the basis of this belief that regulates nearly all spheres of life of the Jews.


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 1

3 Pavlodar Oblast 1

4 South Kazakhstan Oblast

1



38

Buddhism is the world religion that emerged in VI-V B.C. in India.

In contrast with other religions, Buddhism does not support the idea that God is the Creator of the World and its Governor. Buddhism encourages every person to find his or her way to end sufferings.




1 West Kazakhstan Oblast

1

2 Almaty 1

39

The Hare Krishna Community is a new Hindus religious association founded in 1966 in New York by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a Bengal monk. Krishnaists worship Krishna as the Supreme hypostasis of God.


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 1

3 Almaty Oblast 1

4 Aktobe Oblast 1



7 Kostanai Oblast 1

8 Pavlodar Oblast 1


8 local religious associations got re-registered.

40

Bahai community emerged in the middle of the 19th century. It was founded by a Persian, Mirza Husayn Ali known as Bahá'u'lláh. Bahai is a synthesised teaching based on certain dogmas of the world and traditional religions.


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 1

3 Almaty Oblast 1

4 Akmola Oblast 1





41

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in the USA. The term “Mormon” is derived from the Book of Mormon, a text published in 1830 as the Holy Scripture that is used by Mormons along with the Bible.


1 Astana 1

2 Almaty 1

1 religious association was registered in Kazakhstan in early 2011.


42

Overall, 3,088 religious organisations representing 17 confessions got re-registered as of 25 October 2012

№ Confession/denomination As of 01.01.2011 As of 25.10.2012

1 Islam 2811 2229

2 Orthodoxy 304 280

3 Pentecostal churches 400 189

4 Evangelical Christian-Baptists 364 100

5 Catholicism 118 79

6 Jehova’s Witnesses 70 59

7 Presbyterian Churches 229 55

8 Seventh-Day Adventists 67 42

9 Evangelical Lutheran Church 32 13

10 Methodists 18 11

11 New Apostolic Church 47 8

12 Krishnaism 14 8

13 Bahai 20 6

14 Judaism 26 4

15 Buddism 4 2

16 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 1 2

17 Mennonites 6 1

TOTAL 4,551* 3,088

43

* additional 20 non-traditional religious associations failed re-registration.

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