DUSHANBE -- A Dushanbe court has banned the activities of a German NGO operating in Tajikistan, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
Justice Ministry official Davlat Sulaymonov told RFE/RL that the court decision was made because the German Alliance Mission group was registered as a humanitarian organization, but was actually propagating Christianity to Tajiks.
Sulaymonov said six similar groups were banned in northern Tajikistan last year.
Culture Ministry official Idibek Ziyoev said some 80 international religious organizations are operating in Tajikistan, but that in the last two years no organizations were officially accredited as being religious.
The Tajik parliament is discussing a new draft law on religion that would place stricter controls on religious missionaries.
Justice Ministry official Davlat Sulaymonov told RFE/RL that the court decision was made because the German Alliance Mission group was registered as a humanitarian organization, but was actually propagating Christianity to Tajiks.
Sulaymonov said six similar groups were banned in northern Tajikistan last year.
Culture Ministry official Idibek Ziyoev said some 80 international religious organizations are operating in Tajikistan, but that in the last two years no organizations were officially accredited as being religious.
The Tajik parliament is discussing a new draft law on religion that would place stricter controls on religious missionaries.