Christians from Muslim backgrounds often keep their faith secret. Some converts are locked up by their families for long periods, beaten and may eventually be expelled from their communities. Local mullahs also preach against them.
Religious freedom is restricted by legislation dating back to September 2011 and the Kazakhstan government is constantly working at increasing its control over the whole of society, which means increased surveillance, raids on meetings and arrests. It is using the threat of militant Islam as a pretext to restrict more areas of freedom.
Unregistered churches are illegal, are frequently raided and fined. It takes signatures from 50 citizens to register a church.
Russian Orthodox churches experience the least problems from the government because they do not usually attempt to make contact with the Kazakh population. It is the indigenous Christians with a Muslim background who are bearing the brunt of persecution both at the hands of the state and from family, friends and community.
Kazakhstan’s score rose by 1 point, indicating a slight deterioration in the situation for Christians, even though the violence score decreased. Yet the country dropped one place in the rankings, because several other countries had scores that rose by a greater amount.
Open Doors provides immediate aid to Central Asian believers when they are imprisoned, excluded from families and communities, and deprived of livelihood and employment because of their faith in Christ.
Open Doors also strengthens the persecuted church in Central Asia primarily through:
NB! Dokumentet er på engelsk
Leder: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Befolkning: ca. 18,6 mill.
Kristne: ca. 4,8 mill.
Hovedreligion: Islam
Regjeringsform: Republikk
Plassering: 35
Siste år: 34
Score: 64/100
Siste år: 63/100
