BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
22/02/2008
Tighter religious restrictions in Belarus
Belarus (MNN) ? Foreign religious workers are concerned over the tightening of restrictions in Belarus. Decisions on whether their religious work is necessary now come from the top religious affairs official.
According to Forum 18 News, the Plenipotentiary for Religious and Ethnic Affairs has the right not to give reasons for refusing a foreign religious worker's visit and to shorten a visit.
Under the existing law, foreign workers must have an invitation from registered religious associations, but the process for registration is complicated, as is the new procedure for the invitation.
In 2002, a new religion law came into effect. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, the law lumps many religious activities as illegal. Under it, all unregistered religious activity, communities with fewer than 20 members, and any religious activity in private homes go against the law.
Religious organizations were required to be re-registered by November, 2004. However, registration is often a difficult process, and many organizations, including some with thousands of members, have been unable to register. Officials frequently use the media to insult religious minorities, insulting their beliefs, and attempting to incite hostility against them.
For those religious communities that don't have a registered umbrella body, they can't invite foreign citizens for religious work. On top of that, all religious literature is subject to censorship.
Pray for wisdom for Christians as they minister under these repressive conditions. Pray that they will rely on the Spirit of God for guidance.
Source:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/10929
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