BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/01/2008

Belarusian Orthodox Church head concerned over registration of population

Minsk, January 24, Interfax - Head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church handed over to Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko his concern in connection with the creation of a population registration procedure and introduction of biometric control systems.

"The believers are concerned over the introduction of innovations in personal information collection and storage. People have been asking more and more questions concerning registration and introduction of biometric control systems," Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus, Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Philaret said at a meeting of Belarusian Orthodox Church Synod members with Belarusian President.

"We explained that these systems cannot injure a human soul," Philaret said. "Yet the state should also explain whether such databases can be protected against illegal use of information," Philaret said.

"There comes a question whether the collected data, including biometric data are meant for domestic use or any foreign persons can use them?" he said.

"The world tendency to provide possible online control over the location of a person are causing a real anxiety," he said.

Philaret says the state should listen "to the voices of the people who attempt to protect themselves."

Source:

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4198