[Government Persecution Against Iskcon in Kazakhstan]

apr 23rd

i am forwarding this as requested. given the fact that kazakhstan is a
mohammedan state, /a priori /it is likely that this oppression is quite
true.

and where is the US Council on International Religious Freedom?

where is shabana azmi? where is kuldip nayar? where is arjun singh?

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Government Persecution Against Iskcon in Kazakhstan
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 08:36:46 +0530
From: Anand
To: rajeev

Namaste Rajeev,
I m a regular visitor of your blog, Pls. publish the following message
in your blog
so that many people can know about it.

Regards,
Anandkumar V

Here is another example of how in Kali-yuga the governments does not allow
the Vedic process freedom to continue without persecution, and that to
continue
working to preserve and protect it, what to speak of expanding it in some
countries, becomes increasingly difficult.

Da: Silk Road Foundation < director@palaceofthesoul.com
<http://f1mail.rediff.com/bn/compose.cgi?login=v_anandkumar&session_id=1K1KSK2Uo3qdKjmQjEHybJ20D3C1&FormName=mail_to_individual&email=director@palaceofthesoul.com>>
Data: 18 aprile 2006 3:33:05 CET
A: Sri Lalita dasi dasi < srilalita@libero.it
<http://f1mail.rediff.com/bn/compose.cgi?login=v_anandkumar&session_id=1K1KSK2Uo3qdKjmQjEHybJ20D3C1&FormName=mail_to_individual&email=srilalita@libero.it>>
Oggetto: Kazakhstan - Palace of the Soul Update

Dear Friends, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila
Prabhupada.
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, as well as the foreign ministries in your countries, 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

Street addresses: Government:

To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nazarbayev N.A.

Government palace, Levoberezhye,

Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan.

President 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
<http://f1mail.rediff.com/bn/compose.cgi?login=v_anandkumar&session_id=1K1KSK2Uo3qdKjmQjEHybJ20D3C1&FormName=mail_to_individual&email=sitePRK@global.kz>

Dear President Nazarbayev,

It is with deep regret that we have been informed of the legal situation
regarding the attempted confiscation of the land possessed by the
International
Society for Krishna Consciousness in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The properties of the society have been legally purchased and privatised
according to the land codes of Kazakhstan. Yet, since 2004 there has been
ongoing litigation in an attempt by government officials to steal the
land legally
owned by the society.
On March 29, 2006 a hearing was conducted in the Almaty Oblast 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. Yet, when the decision was read it was ruled that the land
of the Krishna
Society be returned to the land reserve of Kazakhstan.
The decision was illegal, not based upon the legislation of your
nation, but
enacted due to pressure from some powerful individual.
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 greedy and
self motivated
officers of your government.
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,
-- ys.advaita.a.d. visit gitanagari.com <http://gitanagari.com>