How are Christians persecuted in Kazakhstan?
- Indigenous Christians with a Muslim background suffer the most. They face persecution from both the state and their own families, friends and communities. Some converts are locked up by their families, beaten and eventually expelled from their communities. Local imams also preach against them, further isolating these converts.
- Christian men face pressure from both the state and their communities. State persecution includes travel restrictions and fines. Refusing military service can lead to fines and prison sentences. Church leaders are particularly targeted by authorities.
- Earning a living is challenging for Christian men, especially in rural areas where authorities demand bribes from Protestant business owners. Some keep their faith secret to avoid persecution. Converts and church leaders risk losing their jobs due to their faith.
- In Kazakhstan, traditional Islamic culture places women in a subordinate position, demanding their total submission. This cultural norm makes female converts to Christianity particularly vulnerable. They face physical and verbal abuse, harassment, threats and even house arrest.
- Although no cases have been reported in the past year, the risk of forced marriage to a Muslim remains, sometimes involving abduction practices such as ‘bride kidnapping’. Women and girls in rural areas are most at risk. Christian women also face the threat of sexual assault, which often goes unreported due to stigma.
Why are Christians persecuted in Kazakhstan?
- In Kazakhstan, religious freedom is heavily restricted by the country’s Religion Law, dating back to 2011.
- The government continually tightens its control over society, leading to increased surveillance, raids on meetings and arrests. They use the threat of militant Islam to justify these restrictions.
- Russian Orthodox churches face fewer issues since they typically don’t engage with the Kazakhstani population.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Kazakhstan?
- Converts to Christianity experience the most intense pressure from family, friends and the community, especially in rural areas.
- However, all Christian communities can face rights violations by government officials, regardless of location.
What has changed in Kazakhstan in the past year?
- Across the board, pressure on followers of Jesus remains very high. The Kazakhstan government has been increasing its control over the whole of society, which has led to heightened surveillance, raids on meetings and arrests.
- Kazakhstan has jumped up nine places on the World Watch List. This is largely due to increasing violence against Christians.
How can I help Christians in the region?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Kazakhstan. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors strengthens persecuted Christians in Central Asia by providing Bibles and Christian literature, discipleship, vocational training, medical and social care, socio-economic development projects, and children’s, youth and women’s ministries.
Heavenly Father, we ask You to walk with our family in Kazakhstan as they trust and follow You no matter what. Please protect our Kazakhstani sisters and brothers from abuse in their homes, unjust court cases and the misuse of regulations against them. We ask You to shield church leaders from government surveillance and make a way for every believer to have their own copy of Your Word. We pray with confidence knowing that You can and will use Your church to bring Your Word to all those who desire to know You deeply. In Your name, we ask all these things, Amen.
