To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Kazakhstan counterpart on the treatment of the Protestant Source of Life and New Life Churches; and what steps he is taking to promote religious freedoms in that country.
Answered on
6 November 2017
I visited Kazakhstan in August. During my visit I encouraged respect for human rights, and publicly addressed a Kazakh audience on the importance of human rights and the equality of all citizens, and on the need for dialogue on reform, including freedom of expression and religious choice. Our Embassy in Kazakhstanis sponsoring training run by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for leaders of civil society on freedom of religion and belief, as well as in freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.