Lawyer Tattuububu Ergeshbayeva commented on the statement of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan towards blogger Ainura Sagynbayeva.
The Spiritual Administration issued a warning to blogger Ainura Sagynbayeva, stating that her religious views are a blatant distortion of Islam and contradict the moral values of society.
"Some of her thoughts lead away from faith. If the aforementioned citizen does not stop expressing her subjective thoughts that do not correspond to the principles of Sharia law and national values, we will be forced to turn to the appropriate authorities," noted the Spiritual Administration.
Previously, blogger Ainura Sagynbayeva, who identifies herself as a psychologist and a cosmetic doctor, stated in her video blog that sex outside of marriage is not a sin.
According to the lawyer, in a democratic secular state, all individuals have the right to freedom of expression of their opinions and beliefs, while adhering to the principle of respecting laws and the rights and feelings of others.
"The statement by blogger Ainura Sagynbayeva regarding sex outside of marriage is not a crime, but it may provoke a negative reaction from religious organizations. The actions of the Spiritual Administration in seeking legal recourse could be interpreted as defending their religious beliefs and preventing potential incitement of hostility. The Muftiate may file a lawsuit against Ainura Sagynbayeva based on Article 330 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, which establishes penalties for actions aimed at inciting racial, ethnic, national, religious, or interregional enmity, humiliation of national dignity, as well as for promoting the exclusivity, superiority, or inferiority of citizens based on their religion, national, or racial affiliation," she remarked.
Tattuububu Ergeshbayeva also emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between freedom of expression and respect for the rights and beliefs of other citizens within a secular state. She also reminded that the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan guarantees freedom of conscience and religion, the separation of religion from the state, and prohibits the establishment of any religion as state or mandatory.
"The concept of the state policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the religious sphere for 2021-2026 notes that various religious associations, including Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, and others, operate in the country, and that the state recognizes the basic norms of international law in the field of human rights and freedoms. The concept aims to continue the work started in the previous period and contains goals, objectives, and mechanisms for implementing the state policy in the religious sphere," the lawyer stated.
