The concept of “religious extremism” in the context of international law and national legislation

The article analyzes the concept of “religious extremism” in the context of international law and the national legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a secular and democratic state with a multi-religious society. It highlights the absence of a universally recognized definition of religious extremism in legal doctrine and regulatory acts, which complicates effective counteraction and the protection of freedom of conscience. The study is based on formal legal and comparative legal methods and an interdisciplinary approach, using national legislation and international legal instruments, including UN Security Council resolutions and documents of regional organizations. It is shown that international law primarily operates with the concept of “violent extremism,” while religious extremism is implicitly treated as its form and closely linked to international terrorism. The article substantiates the need for developing a special international legal framework within the UN and proposes an author’s definition of religious extremism as deliberate criminal acts motivated by violent religious ideology and directed against protected legal interests.

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