DUSHANBE, October 23, Asia-Plus — The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has banned activity of an organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Tajikistan, Culture Minister Mirzoshorukh Asrori announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 22.
According to him, representatives from Jehovists’ organizations have systematically broken the country’s law on religion and religious organizations. He reminded that the Jehovists’ organization was suspended from activity for three months in 2002 already.
The minister further noted that representatives from the Jehovists’ organization in Tajikistan had illegally propagated their ideas in public places and dormitory areas of Dushanbe.
“Besides, we have received numerous complaints from citizens, whose children converted to Jehovah’s Witnesses religion,” said Asrori, “They say that after conversion to the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion their children have left their houses.”
The Jehovists’ organization had functioned in Tajikistan since 1997.
The minister also noted that a board meeting of the ministry had also made a decision to suspend two religious organizations – Hayoti Farovon and Ehyo – for three months.
85 religious organizations now function in Tajikistan, according to Asrori. .
