It is vital for society to respond to threats and risks
Doctor of philosophy, Professor, Chairman of the NGO «Congress of religious scholars of Kazakhstan» Bakhytzhan Satershinov explained the mechanism for preventing religious radicalism in the light of reforming legislation in the field of religion.
The primary task of a modern state is to preserve civil peace and harmony in society in order to ensure national security, which is a guarantee of its normal functioning.
An important component of national security is multi-confessional Kazakhstan are the system of legal regulation of Church-state relations, as well as adequate system of state policy aimed at prevention of religious radicalism and opposition to religious-political extremism and terrorism.
In the international, as well as in the Kazakh expert community, there is no consensus on the content of such a concept as « religious radicalism». Often the concept of « radicalism» is used in semantic connection with «extremism» and they are often perceived as synonyms. However, according to experts, there is a difference between these concepts. An extremist, unlike a radical, is always ready for decisive action. In other words, every extremist is a radical, but not every radical is an extremist.
There is no definition of religious radicalism in the current legislation of Kazakhstan.
In put for wide public discussion the draft law « On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on religious activity and religious associations» developed by the Ministry of religious Affairs and civil society of the Republic of Kazakhstan proposed to add a subparagraph 4 of article 1 of the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On religious activities and religious associations» (11 October 2011) the following definition: «religious radicalism - extreme, uncompromising adherence to religious views and beliefs, aimed at a decisive, radical change of existing public institutions by imposing and spreading to other persons the mandatory implementation of religious prescriptions and dogmas.»
Legal gaps in the definition of religious radicalism and religious extremism are also present in the legislation of other CIS countries, such as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, where these concepts are mentioned only in a General context without definitions. The concept of «religious radicalism» covers in General a social phenomenon, the actions of participants in which extend to other persons.
Public harm, possibly resulting from or related to manifestations of religious radicalism, is fully covered by the norms of the Criminal Code, the code of administrative offences, the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan « on countering extremism» , « on religious activities and religious associations» .
Thus, radicalism is covered by the definition of article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan « on countering extremism» in terms of the definition of « religious extremism» , meaning: « organization and (or) Commission by an individual and (or) legal entity, Association of individuals and (or) legal entities of actions that pursue the following extremist goals: inciting religious hatred or discord, including those related to violence or calls for violence, as well as the use of any religious practice that threatens the security, life, health, morals or rights and freedoms of citizens (religious extremism).» Punishment for religious extremism is carried out in accordance with article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Punishment for violation of legislation on religious activity and religious associations provided for in articles 489, 490.
The draft law also proposes adding sub-paragraph 4 of paragraph 8 of article 3 of the current Law « on religious activities and religious associations» , which States that in accordance with the principle of separation of religion and religious associations from the state, the state» promotes the establishment of relations of mutual tolerance and respect between citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreigners and stateless persons who profess religion and do not profess it, as well as between various religious associations, it does not allow manifestations of religious radicalism and counteracts extremism.»
Preventing and countering the spread of ideas among the population of pseudo-religious and radical organizations and movements that undermine national security, the constitutional foundations of a secular state and contribute to the radicalization of certain groups of the population is one of the most important tasks facing the state and society as a whole.
To promote and disseminate among citizens the principles of humanity, tolerance and spiritual unity of the Kazakhstan society, as well as provision of state-confessional and inter-confessional consent in the Republic of Kazakhstan the Committee for religious Affairs and created a national advocacy group on issues of religion in the amount of 90 people. The group includes members of the Mazhilis of the Parliament, well-known public figures, representatives of the scientific and expert community, state bodies and organizations. There are 249 local awareness groups under the regional offices for religious Affairs, which include 3496 people.
The main goal of the outreach groups is to create an adequate understanding of the state policy in the sphere of religion among the population and all segments of society, aimed at strengthening the secular foundations of the state, maintaining state-confessional and inter-confessional relations. As well as prevention of religious radicalism by timely informing the population about the activities of organizations that harm public, personal and state security under the guise of religious, educational, charitable, commercial and other purposes.
The head of state N. A. Nazarbayev in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan « Strategy «Kazakhstan-2050» New political course of the established state» stressed: « The state and citizens must stand together against all forms and manifestations of radicalism, extremism and terrorism. »
To ensure confessional security, it is vital for society to respond in a timely manner to specific threats and risks that arise in this sphere, to take into account all socio-cultural, ethnic, religious and geopolitical factors, and the peculiarities of the spiritual, cultural and historical heritage of our country.