MRI is concerned about the new amendments to the law "On mass media" and "On freedom of religion"

Media Rights  Institute (MRI) made a statement  expressing concern over the draft amendments to the law "On freedom of religion" and "On the Media", which has recently been approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights. Despite the fact that the bills  were submitted to the plenary session of the Milli Mejlis, the parliament website on these texts have not been published.

Thus, it violated the principle of transparency in the design, discussion and adoption of the amendments, reads  the MRI message.

According to preliminary data, the law "On freedom of religion" offered an amendment defining the procedure for the liquidation of religious organizations accused of religious extremism.

In the absence of laws, which give a clear definition of political and religious extremism, the adoption of the amendment could lead to unlawful interference with the freedom of religion, the director of the MRI Rashid Hajili.

At the same time, the proposed amendment to the media law, can give rise to serious threats to freedom of expression, which already is subject to severe restrictions. Hajili considers unacceptable abuse of the police and security to restrict religious freedom in two directions - both in operations and the establishment of direct censorship of the press, illuminating these operations.

"These restrictions have no legitimate basis and cannot be regarded as necessary in a democracy or in terms of human rights or the prism of efficiency. Neither the police, nor the security agencies can act as censors on journalists’ information about a specific event. This deprives the legitimate rights of the media and society to obtain information about possible abuses and violations of human rights in the use of force in the course of operations and the very feasibility of operations.

Force acts  based on such laws not only weaken the extremist manifestations, but, conversely, may undermine public confidence in the government, law enforcement agencies, " commented on Hajili.—06D—