The right to freedom of religion in Turkmenistan can be temporarily limited for the purpose of ensuring national security and maintaining public order.
The Turkmenistan parliament has adopted the law "On freedom of religion and religious organizations", which includes this provision.
The law published in the local newspapers on Monday recognizes the unique role, which Islam has played in the age-old history of the Turkmen people, and allows no restrictions or privileges regarding any other religion.
The law bans "any form of religious fanaticism, extremism and any actions aimed at confrontation and aggravation of relations that may spark hostility between different religious organizations in the country".
Any religious organization can be established on the initiative of no less than 500 citizens of Turkmenistan. A person who breaks legislation on religious organizations can face a fine of ten to thirty average monthly wages, be sentenced to a year of reformatory work or put under a six-month arrest.