The next move should be for the Kazakhs to ban ISKCON as a terrorist organisation. This would be justified and following the example set by the Indian government which frequently bans charities, political parties and various other organisation as 'terrorist' groups.
Indians would have no room to complain since they do the same in their own country to Sikh, Muslim and Christian groups.
Agree? Disagree?
Indians would have no room to complain since they do the same in their own country to Sikh, Muslim and Christian groups.
Agree? Disagree?
Kazak authorities oppressing Hindus?
By IANS
Wednesday November 15, 02:43 PM
Moscow, Nov 15 (IANS) A cultural centre belonging to members of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been targeted for eviction by authorities in Kazakhstan.
The cultural centre called Palace of the Soul is currently being developed on the outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan.
According to ISKCON's website palaceofthesoul.com, the purpose of the project is to create a spiritual oasis and provide humanitarian assistance to the people.
The governor of Karasai district of Almaty, however, wants the court to evict the members of ISKCON from the site, according to ISKCON.
At a recent meeting held in Almaty and chaired by A.M. Muhkashov, the deputy director of the Kazakh government Religion Committee, the ISKCON delegation was told that Hindus do not have a place in Kazakhstan, the ISKCON website said.
Kazakhstan, the largest republic in Central Asia with a population of over 15 million, comprises over 130 ethnic groups who practice 40 religions.
Ethnic Russians, who are traditionally members of the Russian Orthodox Church, constitute around a third of the population while ethnic Kazakhs, who are Sunni Muslims, make up half.
ISKCON became a legally registered organisation under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1992, according to the website.
Even though they abide fully by Kazakhstan's laws, members of the commune have alleged that they have been repeatedly subjected to investigations during which police officials have stated their determination to expel the community.
According to the US State Department's 2005 International Religious Freedom report, the Kazakhstan government maintained a list of 73 minority religious groups that are protected under the constitution.
The same report said that several of the groups, including ISKCON, reported being vilified as a threat to society and national security by media agencies including government-controlled outlets.
In the past, several parliament members have made inflammatory official statements expressing suspicion of minority religions.
Last year, under the pretext of national security, several amendments were passed allowing the government to target minority religious groups and severely restrict religious freedom.
Now, representatives of ISKCON have taken the issue to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The advisory council is considering taking up the matter as a human rights issue, said the website.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/061115/43/69e92.html
By IANS
Wednesday November 15, 02:43 PM
Moscow, Nov 15 (IANS) A cultural centre belonging to members of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been targeted for eviction by authorities in Kazakhstan.
The cultural centre called Palace of the Soul is currently being developed on the outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan.
According to ISKCON's website palaceofthesoul.com, the purpose of the project is to create a spiritual oasis and provide humanitarian assistance to the people.
The governor of Karasai district of Almaty, however, wants the court to evict the members of ISKCON from the site, according to ISKCON.
At a recent meeting held in Almaty and chaired by A.M. Muhkashov, the deputy director of the Kazakh government Religion Committee, the ISKCON delegation was told that Hindus do not have a place in Kazakhstan, the ISKCON website said.
Kazakhstan, the largest republic in Central Asia with a population of over 15 million, comprises over 130 ethnic groups who practice 40 religions.
Ethnic Russians, who are traditionally members of the Russian Orthodox Church, constitute around a third of the population while ethnic Kazakhs, who are Sunni Muslims, make up half.
ISKCON became a legally registered organisation under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1992, according to the website.
Even though they abide fully by Kazakhstan's laws, members of the commune have alleged that they have been repeatedly subjected to investigations during which police officials have stated their determination to expel the community.
According to the US State Department's 2005 International Religious Freedom report, the Kazakhstan government maintained a list of 73 minority religious groups that are protected under the constitution.
The same report said that several of the groups, including ISKCON, reported being vilified as a threat to society and national security by media agencies including government-controlled outlets.
In the past, several parliament members have made inflammatory official statements expressing suspicion of minority religions.
Last year, under the pretext of national security, several amendments were passed allowing the government to target minority religious groups and severely restrict religious freedom.
Now, representatives of ISKCON have taken the issue to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The advisory council is considering taking up the matter as a human rights issue, said the website.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/061115/43/69e92.html
Comment