US CONGRESS MEMBER SPEAKS IN CONGRESS AGAINST KAZ AGGRESSION

[Guest guest]

United States of America

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109th CONGRESS, 2nd SESSION

Vol. 152

Washington, Thursday, December 7, 2006 No. 134

 

House of Representatives

 

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY BULLDOZED IN KAZAKHSTAN

 

HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY

 

Today I express my deep concern about the destruction of thirteen homes in a

Hare Krishna commune outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is a saddening

development considering that Kazakhstan is a participating State in the

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and has been vigorously

pursuing a bid to chair the OSCE in 2009. I am greatly troubled by the

actions taken against this peaceful religious community, which is

reminiscent of the “bad old days.”

 

On November 21, 13 Hare Krishna homes were destroyed in the Sri Vrindavan

Dham commune in the village of Seleksia, 25 miles from Almaty. Orders to

bulldoze the homes reportedly came from the Karasai District Court, giving

the residents only 24-hours notice to gather all their possessions. When the

bulldozers arrived, they came under the escort and supervision of riot

police. The belongings of some who refused to leave were thrown out in the

snow, and their furniture and larger household items taken away to be

destroyed. Families were left without a home and many others left without

water and electricity in the cold of winter.

 

More damage could still be done – 53 more homes (one of which houses a

temple) could be demolished and their 116-acre communal farm could be

seized. Making this outrage all the more disturbing, the Karasai District

Court reportedly announced that it will charge the community for the

demolition expenses! I appreciate the strong statement issued by the U.S.

Embassy in Astana urging Karasai district authorities to “refrain from any

further aggressive actions.”

 

The conflict over the commune has steadily intensified since a regional

court ruled in March to confiscate the farm without compensation. A special

government commission was established in response to international criticism

to negotiate with the Hare Krishnas, but this process was short-circuited

when the bulldozers revved up. Authorities justify these heartless actions

by citing legal problems with the purchase of the farm by Hare Krishna’s in

1999, but most observers believe this is nothing more than a land grab

dressed up as a legal proceeding.

 

Despite Kazakhstan’s positive reputation for religious tolerance, I have

been concerned by governmental actions against minority religious

communities, such as the heavy fines (and sometimes arrests) during the past

six months against Baptist ministers representing unregistered

congregations. Also worrisome are increasingly harsh government policies

toward Muslims who practice their faith independent of the

government-controlled Muftiate. While President Nazarbayev’s initiative to

bring world religions together to promote tolerance is laudable, his

government’s harsh treatment of small and independent groups displays a sad

absence of tolerance.

 

In short, I do not believe these actions befit a country that would be a

leader of nations. I urge President Nazarbayev and the Government of

Kazakhstan to end these practices, withdraw the court cases to seize the

Hare Krishna’s land, and ensure that all individuals are compensated for

their lost property.