The Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev signed a Bill On Religion Freedom and Religious organizations Monday, January 12, 2009, the presidential press service reported.

As noted, this document was passed at the initiative of a number of Kyrgyz Parliament deputies.

This bill includes 30 assets and provides the input of specified terminology and provisions, some of which caused lately active debates. According to the new law, building of a religious organization in Kyrgyzstan is possible at the initiative of no less than 200 Kyrgyz citizens, constantly living in the country’s territory (when the previously acting law obliged to have no less than 10 citizens). Religious communities are built if there are no less than 10 regional branches (according to the acting law there is no quantitative demand). The law bans drawing of children into religious organizations and proselytism. This document prescribes the order of registration in state body of religious organizations, foreign organization’s missions, missioners, religious educational institutions and the terms of religious organization activity’s closing and prohibition.

The bill bans the distribution of religious writings, printed, audio and video materials in public places (on the streets, avenues), visiting of houses, child care institutions, schools and institutes of higher education.