Background
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a bipartisan panel that reviews religious freedom conditions abroad and makes recommendations to the US government. The commission’s recommendations are based on an annual report that it publishes on the state of religious freedom in the world.
Recommendations
In its 2023 report, the USCIRF recommended that Kyrgyzstan be added to its Special Watch List (SWL). The SWL is a list of countries that are at risk of being placed on the US State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs). The CPC list identifies countries that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.
Reasons for Recommendation
The USCIRF cited a number of reasons for its recommendation, including:
- The Kyrgyz government’s failure to take effective action to address religious discrimination and violence
- The increasing number of religious freedom violations in recent years
- The government’s failure to adequately protect the rights of religious minorities, including Muslims, Protestants, and Jehovah’s Witnesses
- The government’s restrictions on the activities of religious organizations, including through the licensing of religious literature, closure of places of worship, and banning of religious gatherings
Implications
If Kyrgyzstan is added to the SWL, it would be subject to additional scrutiny and diplomatic pressure from the US government. The SWL is a precursor to the CPC list, and countries that remain on the SWL for a period of two years are at high risk of being designated as CPCs.
Conclusion
The USCIRF’s recommendation is a serious concern for the Kyrgyz government. If Kyrgyzstan is added to the SWL, it would be a significant blow to the country’s reputation and could lead to further sanctions from the US. The Kyrgyz government should take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by the USCIRF and improve its record on religious freedom.
Kind regards E. Thompson.
