International Religious Freedom Roundtable

Yerzhan Ashikbayev, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States on May 18, 2021 delivered statement on an International Religious Freedom Roundtable with the participation of representatives of local and international non-governmental organizations. Roundtables are organized by local civil society activists on a monthly base to exchange experiences and update each other in the format of the Chatham House Rule.

Y.Ashikbayev brought to the audience the main content of the political reforms initiated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev. He informed about the planned amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan this year aimed at simplifying the registration of religious associations, conducting religious expertise, holding religious meetings as well as ensuring equal rights for all citizens, both believers and non-believers regardless of religious beliefs.

Moreover, he focused on the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and Kazakhstan's model of interreligious dialogue and tolerance.

A number of participants spoke positively about Kazakhstan's experience and expressed interest in further studying the ongoing reforms and expected amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.