BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/01/2008

Belarus defends fine on Baptist

By: Paolo Gallini.

AUTHORITIES IN Belarus have defended a fine imposed on a Baptist pastor for unregistered religious activity, although critics say it contravenes international human rights standards.

The fine was imposed on Baptist pastor Yuri Kravchuk in mid-December for unregistered religious activity. "Just like in any other country," the official in the western city of Grodno, who declined to be named, insisted to the Norwegian-based Forum 18 News Service, "all religious organisations must be registered in order to have the right to function."

Forum 18 says that, in defiance of international human rights standards, Belarus is the only country in Europe making state registration compulsory before religious activity can take place.

Asked why registration was needed, the official remarked that this was not a question for him. "I don't write the laws, I just implement them," he explained to Forum 18.

"Here in the Republic of Belarus we have our own laws, whether good or bad. We think they're good, other people might think they're bad."

Meanwhile, on January 10 the charismatic New Generation Church in Baranovichi won in court as officials tried yet again to seize their church building from them.

Source:

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=1434