Belarus Religion
Belarus' New Law on Religion
The United States Government deplores the Lukashenko regime's latest action to further restrict religious freedom. The new Belarusian law on religion that Lukashenko signed on October 31 contradicts international principles of religious freedom and human rights. We join the European Union and members of many faiths in our opposition to this law, which appears intended primarily to hinder and prevent the activities of religious groups that the Lukashenko regime considers "non-traditional" faiths. The law, however, also places unacceptable restrictions on all faiths in some measure, in as much as it requires permission from government authorities for religious processions and other activities, such as masses, weddings, funerals, and religious meetings. ... [Read More]
Belarus (10/04)
The constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, the authorities restrict this right in practice. Although Article 16 of the 1996 amended constitution that resulted from the illegal referendum reaffirms the equality of religions and denominations before the law, it also contains restrictive language that stipulated that cooperation between the state and religious organizations "is regulated with regard for their influence on the formation of spiritual, cultural, and country traditions of the Belarusian people." ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belarus
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, the Government restricted this right in practice. Although the Constitution affirms the equality of religions and denominations before the law, it also contains restrictive language that stipulates that cooperation between the state and religious organizations "is regulated with regard for their influence on the formation of spiritual, cultural, and country traditions of the Belarusian people." The Government has negotiated a Concordat and other arrangements with the Belarusian Orthodox Church (BOC), an Exarchate of the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church, which provides that Church with some privileges not enjoyed by other religious organizations. ... [Read More]
Belarus
The 1994 and 1996 Constitutions provide for freedom of religion; however, the Government restricted this right in practice. Although both Constitutions affirm the equality of religions and denominations before the law, the 1996 Constitution stipulates that cooperation between the state and religious organizations "is regulated with regard for their influence on the formation of spiritual, cultural, and country traditions of the Belarusian people." ... The Government increased its harassment of religious groups based not only upon the religion law, but also on directives that provide additional rules and requirements for religious groups that are not outlined in the law. According to the Committee of Religious and Nationalities Affairs of the Council of Ministers (CRNA), which regulates all religious matters in the country, 26 religious denominations were officially registered at year's end; however, authorities continued to refuse legal registration at the national level to faiths considered to be nontraditional. Religious groups that could not register often were forced to meet illegally or in the homes of individual members. ... [Read More]
Belarus
There is no state religion; however, the authorities pursued a policy favoring the Russian Orthodox Church as the country's chief religion and harassed other denominations and religions. During his May Easter address, Lukashenko said, "The State has always stayed and will stay beside the Church, which brings good to the people." Following the address, the regime earmarked approximately $570,000 (1 billion rubles) for the construction of an Orthodox Church in Mogilev. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Religion, severely restricted or destroyed under Communism, has had something of a revival in the post-Communist times. The Constitution provides for the freedom of religion, with all denominations equal. There is no state religion but the government openly favors the Orthodox Church. More than 30 religious societies are registered and receive tax-exempt status. The Belarusian Orthodox Church is by far the largest in the country, followed by the Roman Catholic Church. Various Protestant denominations (including Evangelical Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, Calvinists, Lutherans, Apostolic Christian, Behai and others) Judaism and Islam are represented in smaller communities throughout the country. Missionary groups, such as Campus Crusades, Mormons, Jehovahs Witnesses, and the International Christian Fellowship have a growing number of followers. ... [Read More]
October
1111--10/17/02 Baku Conference on the Role of Religion and Belief in a Democratic Society; Douglas Davidson, Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... [Read More]
November
1111--11/01/02 Belarus' New Law on Religion ... [Read More]
2002
1111--11/01/02 Belarus' New Law on Religion ... [Read More]
2002
1111--10/17/02 Baku Conference on the Role of Religion and Belief in a Democratic Society; Douglas Davidson, Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... [Read More]
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