guru 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2006 Dear Devotees, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. By now, most of you have received earlier e-mails describing the situation in Kazakhstan's ISKCON community, Sri Vrindavana Dhama/Palace of the Soul. In brief, the local court has passed an illegal ordinance, enforcing the governments repossession and destruction of land legally purchased by ISKCON and privatised through government approved means. People are losing theirhomes, their livelihood, their possesions, and their dignity. This is an embarrasing and pronounced violation of human and religious rights. Please find footage of the forceful, and illegal, attack, on the Kazakhstan devotees, and their homes, earlier today, here: http://www.palaceofthesoul.com<WBR>/media/confrontation/confronta<WBR>tion320x240.wmv (The footage may take a few moments to load. If clicking the link does not work, please cut and paste it into the address bar of your web browser.) In this footage, you will see the residents of Sri Vrindavana Dhama/Palace of the Soul peacefully protesting while they are attacked, harrassed, and assaulted by police and court officials and while bulldozers roll onto their property to destroy their homes. This must end. We must all get involved and we must do it now. Please consider doing any of the following: (1) Contact your local branch of Amnesty International (www.amnestyusa.org <http://www.amnestyusa.org/> or ********><!--D(["mb","www.amnesty.org <http://www.amnesty.org/> ) and describe the situation to them. Ask what can be done and speak with their advisors to determine how to take, and inspire, action for restoration of the Kazakhstan devotees\' religious and human rights. (2) See the below list of telephone and fax numbers and make an endeavour to contact the government of Kazakhstan and its associated branches, to voice your protest. The numbers are often difficult to get through to. Keep trying! When you do get through, INSIST on speaking to someone who speaks fluent English (unless, of course, you are fluent in Russian or Kazakhstani). Presidential Office: +7 (3172) 152634, 152920, 152107 +7 (3172) 324558 Presidential PR department: +7 (3172) 744051 Administration of the President: +7 (3172) 151203, fax +7 (3172) 324480 Prosecutor\'s office of RK +7 (3172) 712868, 214025, 712500 Senate +7 (3172) 153195, 153239, 327710 Senate PR department: +7 (3172) 153295, 153505 fax +7 (3172) 334639 Committee on Religious Affairs Mr. Yeraly Lukpanovich Tugzhanov +7 (3172) 152497, 152217, 152690 fax +7 (3172) 328356 Prime Minister Mr. Danial Akhmetov +7 (3172) 152035, 152027 Almaty Regional Land Department Mr. Nauryzbai Asanbayevich Taubayev +7 (3272) 270125 Almaty Regional Hakim Mr. Serik Abikenovich Umbetov +7 (3282) 271753 Karasai District Hakim Bolat-bi Satynbayevich Kutpanov +7 (32771) 21142, 21709 Karasai District Court: +7 (32771) 20899 Court executive Ms. R. Baimukhanbetova +7 (32771) 22030 As earlier communiques from Kazakhstan have already explained, the following arguments may be presented: "(A) Law-obedient citizens are deprived of their homes and thrown to the ",1]);//-->*********>www.amnesty.org <http://www.amnesty.org/> ) and describe the situation to them. Ask what can be done and speak with their advisors to determine how to take, and inspire, action for restoration of the Kazakhstan devotees' religious and human rights. (2) See the below list of telephone and fax numbers and make an endeavour to contact the government of Kazakhstan and its associated branches, to voice your protest. The numbers are often difficult to get through to. Keep trying! When you do get through, INSIST on speaking to someone who speaks fluent English (unless, of course, you are fluent in Russian or Kazakhstani). Presidential Office: +7 (3172) 152634, 152920, 152107 +7 (3172) 324558 Presidential PR department: +7 (3172) 744051 Administration of the President: +7 (3172) 151203, fax +7 (3172) 324480 Prosecutor's office of RK +7 (3172) 712868, 214025, 712500 Senate +7 (3172) 153195, 153239, 327710 Senate PR department: +7 (3172) 153295, 153505 fax +7 (3172) 334639 Committee on Religious Affairs Mr. Yeraly Lukpanovich Tugzhanov +7 (3172) 152497, 152217, 152690 fax +7 (3172) 328356 Prime Minister Mr. Danial Akhmetov +7 (3172) 152035, 152027 Almaty Regional Land Department Mr. Nauryzbai Asanbayevich Taubayev +7 (3272) 270125 Almaty Regional Hakim Mr. Serik Abikenovich Umbetov +7 (3282) 271753 Karasai District Hakim Bolat-bi Satynbayevich Kutpanov +7 (32771) 21142, 21709 Karasai District Court: +7 (32771) 20899 Court executive Ms. R. Baimukhanbetova +7 (32771) 22030 As earlier communiques from Kazakhstan have already explained, the following arguments may be presented: "(A) Law-obedient citizens are deprived of their homes and thrown to the ********><!--D(["mb","street. All of them have lawfully acquired the right of ownership for their plots of land, they have paid all the taxes and membership charges. (B) The Hakim (Governor) of the district accuses the owners that they never had their property privatized. However the members of the community repeatedly applied to the Hakim for his permission to make the acts of ownership for their cottages and plots but he repeatedly refused. Without his sanction for privatization one cannot make needed documentation for the cottages. © The devotees\' houses are located on the territory of a Consumers Cooperative. There are 120 members of this Cooperative. However the claims are brought only against the members of the religious society. In each and every claim the connection of the defendants to the Religious Organization Society for Krishna Consciousness has been illustrated. This is a direct and flagrant violation of human rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the Constitution of Kazakhstan. (D) Confiscation of property without compensation is possible only in a criminal case. Ours is a civil case. It is not a criminal case. (E) According to the law, the citizens whose property is confiscated are given at least 5 days to prepare for the execution of the court decision. In our case we have another transgression of the law as we were given less than one day." Please contact any media connections you may have. Public knowledge of conspiracy and exploitation often serves well to eliminate it. Please also contact the government of Kazakhstan in writing at: Presidential Headquarters To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nazarbayev N.A. Government Palace, Levoberezhye, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan Presidential Residence To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan ",1]);//-->*********>street. All of them have lawfully acquired the right of ownership for their plots of land, they have paid all the taxes and membership charges. (B) The Hakim (Governor) of the district accuses the owners that they never had their property privatized. However the members of the community repeatedly applied to the Hakim for his permission to make the acts of ownership for their cottages and plots but he repeatedly refused. Without his sanction for privatization one cannot make needed documentation for the cottages. © The devotees' houses are located on the territory of a Consumers Cooperative. There are 120 members of this Cooperative. However the claims are brought only against the members of the religious society. In each and every claim the connection of the defendants to the Religious Organization Society for Krishna Consciousness has been illustrated. This is a direct and flagrant violation of human rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the Constitution of Kazakhstan. (D) Confiscation of property without compensation is possible only in a criminal case. Ours is a civil case. It is not a criminal case. (E) According to the law, the citizens whose property is confiscated are given at least 5 days to prepare for the execution of the court decision. In our case we have another transgression of the law as we were given less than one day." Please contact any media connections you may have. Public knowledge of conspiracy and exploitation often serves well to eliminate it. Please also contact the government of Kazakhstan in writing at: Presidential Headquarters To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nazarbayev N.A. Government Palace, Levoberezhye, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan Presidential Residence To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan ********><!--D(["mb"," Mr. Nazarbayev N.A. Akorda, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan Or, by e-mail at: President\'s e-mail: sitePRK@global.kz Please contact Sri Vrindavana Dhama/Palace of the Soul directly, at: director@palaceofthesoul.com Thank you for your immediate attention to this very serious problem. With Kindest Regards, Sundara nanda-gopala dasa Silk Road Foundation Managing Director/Trustee/Sec./Treas. 610.704.7274 http://www.srivrindavandham<wbr />.com/ ------------------------------<wbr />-------------------------- To from this mailing list, send an email to: Free.Forum-Owner@pamho.net </div>",0]);D(["ce"]);//-->*********> Mr. Nazarbayev N.A. Akorda, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan Or, by e-mail at: President's e-mail: sitePRK@global.kz Please contact Sri Vrindavana Dhama/Palace of the Soul directly, at: director@palaceofthesoul.com Thank you for your immediate attention to this very serious problem. With Kindest Regards, Sundara nanda-gopala dasa Silk Road Foundation Managing Director/Trustee/Sec./Treas. 610.704.7274 http://www.srivrindavandham<WBR>.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted April 27, 2006 © The devotees' houses are located on the territory of a Consumers Cooperative. There are 120 members of this Cooperative. However the claims are brought only against the members of the religious society. In each and every claim the connection of the defendants to the Religious Organization Society for Krishna Consciousness has been illustrated. This is a direct and flagrant violation of human rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the Constitution of Kazakhstan. (D) Confiscation of property without compensation is possible only in a criminal case. Ours is a civil case. It is not a criminal case. (E) According to the law, the citizens whose property is confiscated are given at least 5 days to prepare for the execution of the court decision. In our case we have another transgression of the law as we were given less than one day." "(A) Law-obedient citizens are deprived of their homes and thrown to the ********>*********>street. All of them have lawfully acquired the right of ownership for their plots of land, they have paid all the taxes and membership charges. (B) The Hakim (Governor) of the district accuses the owners that they never had their property privatized. However the members of the community repeatedly applied to the Hakim for his permission to make the acts of ownership for their cottages and plots but he repeatedly refused. Without his sanction for privatization one cannot make needed documentation for the cottages. My reply: C, D, E All the above points I understand and believe the gov’t has a case to answer. A & B. What I am curious about is that when you all bought the land, did you consult with a lawyer, as is normally the imperative step anywhere in the world with anyone buying a property. Because if you did, the lawyer who acted on behalf of the buyer (the devotees) would have a duty of care to have forseen these implications/complications and can be held negligent. I am talking here of the concept of professional indemnity—the lawyer indemnifying the clients (the devotees who bought the land) for his/her (lawyer) negligent. But I am talking here about the Australian law. Kazakshtan is a 3rd world country, similar to where I grew up in , the Philippines, so the setting/environment is obviously different. Sometiems it can be a bit tough in a 3rd world. I will email amnesty international or maybe Time magazine, too about your plight. Sometimes the media (especially the international outlets) can put a bit of pressure on the gov’t to do the right thing. I commiserate with you. And praying that everything will be resolved eventually in a peaceful manner. I will be praying for all of you. And I will also do a little practical things on your behalf. Good thing that I am not that busy today. Jaya Sri Radhe, Hare Krishna ! Myrla Australia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted April 27, 2006 Hare Krishna Jaya sri Radhe Myrla Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted April 27, 2006 to investigate your plight. Hoping they will do something appropriate. BTW I am not with ISKCON, I am with a different Vaishanva sanga but I consider them my friends because I also once have served in their temples. I am assuming that you are all ISKCON devotees. Sorry if I was mistaken, ok. All the same Haribol! All glories to Guru and Gauranga Myrla Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
