BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

03/06/2007

Belarus Police Conducts Raid On Pentecost Church Service

Christians from across Belarus are gathering in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, to protest against the government detention of two Christians during a police raid on a church service.

By: Robert Williams
Christian Today Correspondent

Christians from across Belarus are gathering in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, to protest against the government detention of two Christians during a police raid on a church service.

Both the police and KGB officials raided a private house in Minsk, rented by the 'John the Baptist' church during a Pentecost service, reported the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The pastor of the church Antony Bokun and a Polish citizen, Jaroslaw Lukasik were both detained.

Pastor Bokun was accused of "organising and holding religious meetings without special approval". He was held overnight and fined. Lukasik was also accused of illegal involvement in the service, but he was released and now face the threat of deportation.

In a public appeal to the Citizenship and Migration Department for Interior Affairs and to the administration of President Alexander Lukashenko, more than 40 religious leaders requested that the deportation order be rescinded.

In an open statement to Minsk City Police Department on 29 May, Sergei Khomich, the bishop of the Pentecostal Union, emphasised that the police raid and subsequent detentions indicate the need for legislation on religious activities to be revised.

The rally on Sunday has been organised by evangelical Christians and will take place in the largest Protestant church in the capital city, 'Grace Church'. In addition to an appeal on Lukasik's behalf, participants at Sunday's meetings will also be calling for increased religious freedom, including the right for registered religious organisations to hold meetings in residential premises and the right to register certain buildings as designated for religious activity. During the meeting, the group also plans to adopt and publish an open statement to President Lukashenko.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's National Director, Stuart Windsor , said: "We are deeply concerned by the recent events in Belarus and fully support the Belarusian churches in their demand that their government respects religious liberty and ceases its harassment of church leaders and worshippers. We call on the international community and on the European Union, in particular, to strongly discourage the Belarusian authorities from deporting Mr. Lukasik, and to condemn the recent church raids and arrests."

A nationwide petition is currently being circulated in Belarus, calling for a review of the current law on religious activities which was adopted in 2002. More than 16,000 people have signed the petition so far. The petition states that the signatories believe the laws limit their freedom of worship and expression.

Source:

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/belarus-police-conducts-raid-on-pentecost-church-service/2797.htm

Google