ISKCON Kazakhstan
BY: BB GOVINDA SWAMI
Apr 21, USA (SUN) — In 1999 the devotees in Kazkhstan purchased a beautiful farm outside of the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Since that time substantial strides have been made in creating an agricultural community, a home for many vaisnavas, and the venue for a wonderful summer yearly festival attended by devotees from Central Asia and Russia.
Since October 2004 there have been many attempts from the government of
Kazakhstan to push us from this property. This has been done by smear
campaigns in the media and ongoing litigation in the courts.
On March 29, 2006 a case was conducted in the Almaty Oblast Court. Prior to
issuing the ruling the judge declared that the legal arguments of the
government land agency had no substance and that the arguments presented by
the advocates representing our society were correct and in accordance to the
Kazakhstan legal code.
But after private discussion in their chambers the judges emerged and issued
a ruling against our society in which it is stated that the land be
confiscated and returned to the government. This ruling was illegal and not
based on legislation of the government of Kazakhstan.
We purchased the land at the market value in 1999. In 2004 we privatised the
land according to the laws of Kazakhstan in. Since this time the value of
this land has increased dramatically. The situation we have is that the
powerful government land barons want to eliminate us by any illegal process
that they may possess the land, again sell, and make astronomical profit.
We have neither time nor options left. Our last option is the Supreme Court
of Kazakhstan, but need-less-to-say, the legal system does not work in this
country. It is either a matter of paying for the decision or having a
powerful person order the decision.
Thus we are requesting devotees throughout the world to assist us in
different ways:
First, we are requesting you to send this letter to all the contacts you
have.
Second, we are requesting you to print the following letter and send to the
Administration of the President of Kazakhstan requesting him to intervene in
this case.
Third, we are requesting you to contact the heads of religious
organisations, the foreign ministries in your countries, international human
rights agencies, and register an appeal that they will voice concern to the
government of Kazakhstan.
And at last, we are humbly requesting that you will all pray that this
situation may be reversed and our farm, Sri Vrindavan Dham, will not be
stolen by the government of Kazakhstan.
The President of Kazakhstan has gained international respect for having
hosted an international religious forum in 2003. Yet, despite the talks of
religious equality and openness, he is allowing a religious society to be
illegally evicted from their legally acquired property. It is an injustice
performed in the name of religious equality.
With affectionate regards,
BB Govinda Swami
.......................................................................
To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. N.A. Nazarbayev
Government palace, Levoberezhye,
Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan.
Or ...
Presidential Residence:
To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Nazarbayev N.A.
Akorda, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan.
President's e-mail: sitePRK@global.kz
Dear President Nazarbayev,
It is with deep regret that we have been informed of your government's
attempted confiscation of the land which is owned by the Kazakhstan Society
for Krishna Consciousness.
The land has been legally purchased and privatised according to the land
codes of Kazakhstan.
But since 2004 there has been ongoing litigation in an attempt by
government officials to steal the land where the Kazakhstan Society for
Krishna Consciousness has been officially registered, and situated, for
the past seven years.
On March 29, 2006 a hearing was conducted in the Almaty Provincial Court.
The judge in charge of the case explained that he had carefully studied the
case and that there was no substance in the arguments of the Government Land
Committee and District Hakimat.
Yet, when the decision was read it was ruled that the land at issue be
returned to the land reserve of Kazakhstan. The decision of the court was
enacted due to executive pressure as it violates legislative and procedural
rules of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Mr. President, you want that your fine country come into the rank of the
leading nations of the world.
You have shown your open mindedness by conducting your International
Religious Forum in 2003. Yet in this case we have a glaring example of a
religious society being destroyed by the greed of self motivated officers.
Sir, we are respectfully appealing to you to intervene in this case.
Please stop the abuse and destruction of the one element of Indian religion
which is active in your nation.
Please allow these people to live peacefully on their property in accordance
to the vision of religious equality that you have presented for the nation
of Kazakhstan.
Sincerely,
