Nurlan Yermekbayev presented the draft law in the religious sphere to the Majilis deputies
January 29, the Majilis has held the presentation of the draft law «On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on religious activity and religious associations» .
Minister of Religious Affairs and Civil Society of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Yermekbayev spoke about the main provisions of the bill.
According to the Minister, the purpose of preparing the draft law is to improve state-confessional relations, specify the rights and obligations of subjects of religious activity, as well as regulate the religious sphere. The bill provides for 53 amendments and additions to 12 legislative acts.
«The most significant provisions of the draft law are aimed at excluding any possibility of using religion for destructive purposes, clarifying the competence of state bodies and simplifying the activities of religious associations» - said N. Yermekbayev.
The draft law provides for a number of measures, including a ban on the wearing of clothing that hides the face in public places, on the use, wearing and distribution in public places of external attributes, items of clothing that demonstrate belonging to destructive religious movements.
The law introduces for the first time a legal definition of such concepts as «destructive religious movement» and «religious radicalism» .
An amendment is being made on the legal regulation of receiving religious education abroad by citizens of Kazakhstan.
The basic regulation of behavior of civil servants and employees of budgetary organizations in the religious sphere is proposed.
Regulations are being introduced to ensure transparency in the financial activities of religious associations.
It is proposed to regulate the dissemination of the faith through the mass media.
The draft law provides for equal rights of citizens regardless of their attitude to religion, both believers and non-believers; specifies the conditions for attracting minors to participate in worship services, religious rites, ceremonies and (or) meetings.
It also introduces a requirement that religious rites and ceremonies for the conclusion or termination of marriage (matrimony) are allowed only in religious buildings.
The draft law contains a set of rules to clarify the competence of state agencies when organizing work in the field of religion. Including MRACS requested to confer jurisdiction over the activities of religious associations in Kazakhstan.
The functions of the Ministry of internal Affairs in terms of rehabilitation of convicts and prevention of crimes related to religious activities are being expanded; local Executive bodies in monitoring the religious situation.
The event was attended by deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament, heads of government bodies, representatives of the clergy, public organizations, and experts.