KHUJAND, April 9, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Regional organizations of a number of political parties active in the Sughd province have expressed concern about adoption of a new religion law.

On April 7, senior representatives of regional organizations of the Socialist (SPT), Social-Democratic (SDPT) and the Islamic Revival (IRPT) parties held a roundtable meeting in Khujand to discuss the new country’s law “On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations.” 

Speaking at the meeting, the IRPT representative Mirzoqul Hojimatov noted that some provisions of the highly restrictive law were in contrary with the country’s Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and thereby, they restricted religious freedom of citizens.

According to the SPT member, Ms. Mohinisso Horisova, the new religion law may be used by the authorities for interfering in affairs of the religious associations and controlling them.

The chairperson of the SDP regional organization for Sughd, Ms. Dilbar Samadova, noted that political parties, especially the IRPT, were “absolutely inactive in the province.”  “They should have expressed their opinions during discussion of the law but not after adoption of it,” she said.