Kazakh Baptists fined for worship meetings

Authorities in Kazakhstan have fined 18 Baptists for participating in religious activity not authorized by the state, continuing the government's drive to bring religion under its control.

Between June 6 and Aug. 22, three of the Baptists were fined two months' average salary for leading the meetings, according to the Norway-based religious freedom organization Forum 18, while 15 were fined one month's average salary for attending the worship.

Forum 18 reported that fines typically are imposed under Kazakhstan's Administrative Code, which bans participating in, leading or financing a religious community not registered by the state. Members of the country's Council of Baptists do not seek state registration nor do they pay the administrative fines levied against them, maintaining that Kazakhstan's constitution and international human rights commitments forbid requiring government approval for worship. Keep reading