Institute Condemns Belarus Parliament’s Passage of Restrictive Religion Law

Oct 4, 2002 Washington, D.C. – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy denounces the October 2, 2002, adoption by the upper house of the Belarus parliament the amendments to the country's religion law. According to the Belarus Embassy in Washington, the revised religion law was adopted in the Council of the Republic with 46 votes in favor, 2 against and 4 abstentions. The bill now goes to President Aleksandr Lukashenko for signature into law.

“This new religion law by far overshadows in its repressive potential similar religion laws passed recently,” commented Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski.  “We call on President Lukashenko to raise his voice for liberty, freedom, and the right to express one's faith without fear of discrimination or persecution.  Signing the draft into law will damage not only the religious landscape and tolerance in Belarus, but also damage Belarus’ image and reputation globally as a nation committed to democratic progress.”

The new law would outlaw unregistered religious activity, require compulsory prior censorship for all religious literature; ban foreign citizens from leading religious organizations; publishing and education would be restricted to faiths that have ten registered communities, including at least one that had registration in 1982; and there would be a ban on all but occasional, small religious meetings in private homes.

An English version of the Belarus draft law can be found in the Report section of the Institute’s website at www.religionandpolicy.org.


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