The constitution expressly states that all religions and cults shall be separated from the state and forbids interference by members of religious organizations and cults with the activities of the state. Article 15 forbids discrimination against any person on the basis of religious belief, and Article 16 guarantees each person’s right to freedom of creed, spirit and worship, to free expression and dissemination of ideas and to peaceful assembly. The government does not support any religion and forbids the teaching of both religion or atheism in public schools. the government also has sponsored meeting amongst different faith communities to promote religious tolerance.
In March of 1996, the government created a State Commission on Religious Affairs. It’s official mission is to promote religious tolerance, protect freedom of conscience and oversee laws on religion. The commission has come under pressure from Orthodox and Muslim leaders to limit the activities of "sects" and "nontraditional religions. In the fall of 1996, the President signed a decree requiring all religious organizations to register with the government. Any religious groups wishing to own property must be registered with the Ministry of Justice.
Foreign missionary groups are allowed to operate if they register with the government. Local Muslims, especially in rural areas resent the conversion of Muslims to other faiths and there have been tensions in some communities over conversion to faiths such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, sometimes resulting in violence or expulsion of converts from the community. Muslim and Russian Orthodox leaders have been critical of proselytizing activities of non-traditional religious groups but the State Commission on Religious Affairs has generally sought to promote an attitude of tolerance.
The government is especially concerned about the growth of Wahabi fundamentalists and monitors the activities of groups that it believes may be a potential threat to national security.
2003 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Report on Kyrgyzstan
KYRGYZSTAN: Will the government or won't the government target Ahmadis? WorldWide Religious News, 5/17/04
CENTRAL ASIA: State policy towards religious minorities in Central Asia WorldWide Religious News, 1/20/04
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