US Calls for Kyrgyzstan’s Special Watch List Inclusion

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has once again recommended that Kyrgyzstan be placed on its Special Watch List (SWL), citing ongoing systematic violations of religious freedom.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF highlighted that the Kyrgyz government has continued imposing stricter legal controls on religious practices, significantly hindering peaceful religious activities across the country, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kyrgyz media.

A USCIRF delegation, led by Chair Vicky Hartzler and Vice Chair Asif Mahmood, visited Kyrgyzstan in late June to assess the impact of recent amendments to the country’s law on religion. Their findings indicate increased government oversight, tighter registration requirements for religious organizations, and ongoing administrative fines targeting lawful religious expression.

The report warns that such policies not only infringe on individual rights to freedom of conscience but also raise concerns about potential threats to societal stability.

USCIRF has called on Kyrgyz authorities to reconsider the restrictive amendments and bring their practices in line with international standards protecting religious freedom. The Commission also urged the US Department of State to continue monitoring the situation closely and to address these concerns in diplomatic engagements with Bishkek.