ECRL moderator met with the interim president in Kyrgyzstan

European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett has just ended his four-day visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During his visit he met with the interim president and participated in the inauguration ceremony together with some 2000 people from inside and outside Kyrgyzstan.

In her speech at the inauguration as interim president of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otumbayeva said that "the new power is ready for constructive cooperation with all political forces, pluralism of opinions, freedom of speech, protection of human rights, a completion of ideas and a fair dialogue".  “I welcome this statement as an honest commitment to leading the country on a path to democracy and rule of law after years of authoritarian rule", says the ECRL moderator. He spent four days in Bishkek at the invitation of the interim president. Stålsett had two lengthy conversations with the president covering a broad spectrum of shared concerns. He also met with the director of the State Commission on Religious Affairs and with representatives from several of the country’s many religious groups. "I sensed a general support of the new direction of politics and great support of the referendum of the new constitution and the interim presidency", said Stålsett, adding that there were obvious concerns about a 2009 law which drastically curtails the freedom of religion. "It is my hope that when a new parliament is in place after 10 October, it might reconsider this law, and that in the process the religious communities and other civil society organisations may be consulted."  Ms Otumbayeva will serve as interim president until 31 December 2011. "It is important that she and her government is given all support for democratic reforms and human rights during this transitional period also from global organisations such as Religions for Peace. The serious humanitarian situation in the South of the country following outbreaks of violence should be a key concern for the international community", says Stålsett.

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