Washington, D.C. — December 2, 2025 — Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), in partnership with the IRF Secretariat, hosted a Capitol Hill briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building to present a new field-based report on the state of religious freedom in Kazakhstan.
The report is the product of an independent delegation invited by the Government of Kazakhstan to assess religious freedom, security, and social cohesion across six major cities.
The delegation was led by Wade Kusack, Founder and President of LYN Community, and included:
- Dr. Chris Seiple, Senior Fellow, LYN Community
- Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director, Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
- Greg Mitchell, Founder and CEO, IRF Secretariat
“Few governments are willing to invite independent religious freedom experts to travel freely, meet whomever they want—publicly or privately—and then publish an honest assessment,” said Wade Kusack. “Kazakhstan did. Our report reflects a spirit of cooperation, not confrontation, aimed at strengthening reforms already underway.”
A New Model: From Control to Cooperation
The delegation’s work was framed by what LYNC calls the “builders approach”—an engagement model that emphasizes cooperation, relationship-building, and practical solutions rather than naming-and-shaming.
The assessment examined four interrelated contexts:
- Historical – the legacy of imperial Russia and Soviet-era repression of religion
- Security – extremist threats, online radicalization, and rehabilitation programs
- Geopolitical – Kazakhstan’s multi-vector diplomacy amid pressure from Russia, China, and the West
- Legal – religious laws and how they are applied in practice
“In Kazakhstan, we are witnessing a movement from control toward cooperation,” said Dr. Chris Seiple. “Where there is more religious freedom, there is more security and stability. Kazakhstan is trying to develop its own model to balance these two imperatives.”
Voices from the Ground: Extremism, New Religions, and Local Reform
The briefing featured powerful in-person and virtual testimonies that brought the report’s findings to life:
- Operation Zhusan – Repatriation & Rehabilitation Testimony
Erkinbay Perizat Zhaksylykkyzy, a Kazakh woman repatriated from ISIS-controlled territory, shared her journey of radicalization, disillusionment, and reintegration. Her story highlighted the importance of religious literacy, human dignity, and education in preventing extremism.
- Non-Traditional Religious Community Experience
Zhanna Tassova, leader of the Church of Scientology in Almaty (via Zoom), described the community’s registration, de-registration under the 2011 religion law, and current status operating as an NGO. She noted a significant decrease in harassment and an increase in dialogue in the last 5–6 years, while legal uncertainty remains.
- Local Expert Perspective
Alexey Kildyshov, Deputy Chair of Biblical Center New Life (Almaty) and a long-time human rights defender, traced three phases in Kazakhstan’s religious policy:
- liberal expansion (1990s),
- restrictive control (1999–2019), and
- a “transformational period” since 2020 focused on partnership and reconciliation.
He described how, after years of pressure and property confiscation, his church saw much of its property restored and relations with local authorities improve.
- Role of Academia and CCRL
Yuliya Kharkova, Head of the International Relations Department at Caspian University (via Zoom), outlined how Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL) is being embedded into training programs for government officials and law enforcement as a practical tool for prevention, dialogue, and cooperative engagement.
Key Findings and Recommendations
While recognizing real progress—especially since 2019—the report identifies several areas where further work is needed. Among the recommendations highlighted at the briefing:
- Strengthen Legal Protections & Simplify Registration
Continue modernizing religious legislation to align with international standards, including simplified registration procedures and clearer distinctions between peaceful religious activity and genuine extremism.
- Broaden Inclusivity of Multi-Faith Clubs—currently composed of registered communities—to gradually include peaceful, non-registered religious communities, initially as observers. This would allow trust-building, transparency, and a pathway toward eventual registration and full inclusion.
- Consider establishing a Kazakhstan Religious Freedom and Social Cohesion Secretariat, modeled on the IRF Secretariat, to ensure continuity and global engagement.
- Embed Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL)
Integrate CCRL into national education and governance systems, especially civil service training, law enforcement academies, and university programs, to equip officials and community leaders to navigate religious diversity constructively.
“We are not ignoring the remaining challenges,” noted Greg Mitchell. “But compared to our first visit in 2013, the difference is night and day. Fear has given way—at least in many places—to dialogue, cooperation, and an openness to reform.”
Kazakh Embassy Response
Her Excellency Dana Kurmasheva, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kazakhstan, offered closing reflections on behalf of the Kazakh government, welcoming the report as a “new approach” to religious freedom assessment and emphasizing Kazakhstan’s commitment to aligning its legislation with international standards while ensuring security and stability.
About LYN Community & IRF Secretariat
Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC) is a U.S.–based nonprofit dedicated to advancing Religious Freedom through Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL) and Covenantal Pluralism worldwide, working in partnership with local governments, universities, and religious communities.
The IRF Secretariat convenes and supports multi-stakeholder initiatives—such as the International Religious Freedom Roundtable—connecting government, civil society, and religious actors to advance freedom of religion or belief globally.
Accessing the Report
The full report, “Even Stone Can Be Shaped Through Soft Engagement: Kazakhstan Religious Freedom Assessment Trip Report (2025),” is available here: https://lyncommunity.org/report/even-stone-can-be-shaped-through-soft-engagement/
Join in on the conversation