Children May Lose Religious Rights in Tajikistan
- Updated Jul 28, 2011
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A new law supposedly aimed at helping parents protect their children in Tajikistan could also ban children from participating in religious activities. Worthy News reports that the Tajikistan Parliament recently adopted two new laws will ban children under the age of 18 from participating in religious activities like weekly church services. The law also restricts certain jewelry, tattoos and even names parents can choose for their children. "I'm sure the government would say that it's aimed basically at extremism," said Joel Griffith of the Slavic Gospel Association. "It's really difficult to know what their real motivation is for passing such a thing, because it goes beyond targeting just what everybody would agree maybe would be extremist elements ... As the law is worded, it would seem to impact everybody." He further notes, "There's question whether children would even be allowed to go to a worship service until they're 18 years old ... It's a matter of deep concern to the churches."