Church: Persecution
Report: 1997
Foreword
by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices
Reporting
on Religious Persecution
ANNEX
(Conditions in Individual Countries)
==============================
United States Policies in Support of
Religious Freedom: Focus on Christians
U.S. State Department Report,
Religious liberty, the
freedom to proclaim a religious identity and practice it without fear, is an
aspiration and an inalienable right of people everywhere. When practiced with
tolerance, it can be one of the keys to a stable, productive society. But
generations of hatred may be sown when it is delayed or denied. It is central
to the strength of free peoples. Its protection and promotion are important
elements of America’s support for human rights around the globe.
First, because the right to
profess and practice one’s religion is basic to the life of every human being
and is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Second, people who are free
to profess their beliefs without fear and to live by them without impediment
will do more to enrich their societies than people held back by prejudice.
Where the rights of persons of any faith are not secure, no one’s rights are
secure. And violent persecution that begins with one group all too often
engulfs whole nations in conflict.
And third, freedom of
religion is central to American history and identity. Because our country has
chosen ever since its creation to stand for universal principles of tolerance
and liberty, free people around the world have chosen to stand with us.
That is why our commitment to
religious liberty is even more than the expression of American ideals: it is a
fundamental source of our strength in the world. We simply could not lead
without it. We would be naive to think that we could advance our interests
without it.
To fulfill this commitment,
we are working actively to promote tolerance of legitimate religious expression
for adherents of every faith. We have not hesitated to speak out when
governments persecute Christians or fail to ensure the safety of any religious
group. And we use all the tools available to work for change within societies
and with authorities around the world.
The State Department is also
committed to making full use of international organizations both to spotlight
violations of the rights of Christians or others, and to promote religious
tolerance and cooperation among faith communities.
We have changed the way the
State Department looks at religious questions, in order to strengthen our
opposition to violations of religious freedom in our bilateral relationships
and our efforts to shape the work of international organizations. We have asked
our embassies to provide more frequent, more systematic and more sensitive
reporting on religious issues --and we are rewarding officers who make this a
priority. We have increased the attention devoted to religious persecution in
our annual human rights reports. And we have improved our procedures for
reviewing requests for asylum --reviewers are more aware that applicants may be
victims of religious persecution.
Of course, we at the State
Department recognize that we are not alone in this struggle. Without the
efforts of churches and other religious organizations, human rights groups and
concerned individuals in the United States and around the world, we could not
document abuses. Without their love of justice, we would prevail less often.
For all those reasons, we are
doing more to work with non-governmental groups. In November of 1996, Secretary
Christopher established the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad.
That group of eminent religious figures, scholars and activists is helping the
Department to better understand and respond to problems of persecution where
they exist, and to recognize and provide support to religious leaders who are
seeking to build tolerance, prevent conflict, and achieve reconciliation in their
own societies.
The struggle for religious
liberty does not end when our own freedom is assured. As Thomas Jefferson put
it 200 years ago, “it behooves all who value liberty of conscience for
themselves to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or that case may,
by change of circumstance, become their own.”
I thank Congress for its
interest in this issue. And I look forward to working closely together to
promote religious liberty for Christians, and for all people, around the world.
The United States Government
upholds the principle that the freedom of religion, conscience, and belief is
an inalienable and fundamental human right. Religious persecution is an
intolerable invasion of an individual’s basic human rights, and promoting freedom
of religion and combating religious persecution are high priorities for the
U.S. Government.
Religious tolerance and
respect for those who hold different beliefs are central elements of the
American experience and our nation’s core values. Indeed, the search for
freedom of religion was a key factor in the settlement of colonial America.
Today, these values go hand-in-hand with our interest in assisting the
evolution of stable, democratic governments in all parts of the world. If
people lack freedom of conscience and are unable to practice their faith, it is
likely that other human rights will be restricted and that intolerance and
violence will be more prevalent. Lack of these rights also impedes efforts to
establish societies that promote liberty and justice. Accordingly, the U.S.
Government actively works to integrate the promotion of freedom of conscience
and religion, the support of religious tolerance, and the elimination of
persecution as central elements of our global diplomacy.
Unfortunately, both
governments and members of different communities in many parts of the world
continue to persecute religious groups. In some instances, religious
persecution is due to governments that do not tolerate independent thought,
belief systems, or freedom of association. In other instances, political
leaders have exploited religious and ethnic differences for self-serving and
sometimes violent political ends. At times, political rhetoric and manipulation
have exacerbated disputes between members of different religions--or between
members of different groups within the same religion.
At the same time, many
religious communities are actively engaged in promoting tolerance and religious
freedom and in trying to resolve conflicts among groups. Such efforts are testimony
to the strength of the human spirit, and complement government efforts to
ensure that all persons are able to practice their faith as they choose.
The U.S. Government is
concerned about incidents in which any individuals or groups are persecuted because
of their religion or belief. This Administration has intensified efforts to
address the issue of freedom of religion and to promote religious freedom in a
number of ways. On a global scale, we have urged adherence to international
human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
which provides for the right of all persons to freedom of thought, conscience,
and religion. This right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief,
and freedom--either alone or in community with others, and either in public or
private--to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship,
and observance.
We have highlighted and
condemned religious persecution in our multilateral and bilateral diplomacy.
Through private diplomatic efforts and public condemnation the U.S. Government
has secured the release of and improvement in the treatment of individuals of
various religions and beliefs who have faced incarceration, harassment, or
other forms of abuse. At international fora, U.S. delegations have emphasized
the importance of religious tolerance and reconciliation, and the need for
multilateral opposition to the persecution of persons on the basis of their
religious beliefs or practices. The White House, the Department of State and
other agencies of the U.S. Government have issued official statements to
spotlight incidents of religious persecution on a regular basis, and the U.S.
Government provides a detailed summary of such abuses each year in the annual
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. We are also intensifying efforts to
improve the review process for asylum and refugee applications.
An important step in
highlighting religious freedom was the establishment of the Advisory Committee
on Religious Freedom Abroad in 1996 by Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
The significance of the Committee’s work was emphasized by Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, who addressed the inaugural meeting in February 1997. The
twenty leaders of religious, academic, and advocacy communities who are members
of the Committee are formulating recommendations to the U.S. Government on
means of advancing religious freedom throughout the world, with a focus on
eliminating religious persecution and supporting the promotion of human rights
and conflict resolution. The Committee will submit its final report to the
Secretary of State and the President. The Committee convened its second
official meeting in July and has held working group sessions in various parts
of the country.
Our human rights objectives
are also advanced through U.S. assistance programs to organizations that
monitor and promote human rights, facilitate cultural and educational
exchanges, and strengthen the rule of law, justice, civil society and good
governance. The U.S. Government encourages other sectors of society, including
the U.S. business community and the labor movement, to help advance human
rights. And we support international broadcasting programs that disseminate
human rights information throughout the world, including in countries where
individual liberty and freedom are restricted.
The approaches used to
promote religious freedom and combat violations of this right differ depending
on the situation in each country. In some instances, the U.S. Government is
able to raise problems of religious persecution directly with foreign
governments. In other instances, such as where we do not have formal diplomatic
relations, the U.S. Government’s ability to press for redress is limited to
acts in multilateral fora or to coordinated efforts with other governments that
do have diplomatic relations with the country in question. In cases of
inter-communal tension and strife, or action by individuals, in which foreign
governments are not direct participants, the U.S. Government’s ability to
intervene is limited.
This report summarizes U.S.
Government actions to promote religious freedom and to counter religious
intolerance, discrimination, and persecution, with a focus on the protection of
Christians from persecution, as requested by Congress. It is not an exhaustive
list of all U.S. Government activities in this area. An annex to the report
provides a summary of the current situation and bilateral initiatives in a
number of countries. In some instances, there are no reports of religious
persecution, but policies exist that could impact Christians and members of
other religious and belief communities. In addition, the omission of a country
from this report does not imply that incidents of discrimination, intolerance,
or persecution against Christians or members of other faith communities does
not occur. The report draws from the State Department’s Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices and information gathered in recent months, both
officially and unofficially; every effort was made to verify the accuracy of
the information contained in this report. In accordance with the congressional
request, the emphasis in the annex is on the situation Christians face and
actions taken by the U.S. Government.
The Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices is the State Department’s annual review that assesses human
rights conditions in countries around the world; 194 reports are prepared. This
compilation provides an evaluation of human rights conditions on a global
basis, and puts the analyses made by the U.S. Government on the public record.
The Country Reports has gained wide and increasing acceptance as a
comprehensive, reliable, and balanced summation of human rights conditions
around the world.
The individual reports for
each country include specific sections on freedom of religion and discuss
religious persecution where it exists, whether due to governmental abuse,
societal discrimination, or inter-communal tension. The Country Reports is
prepared for presentation to Congress by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,
and Labor based on information provided by U.S. diplomatic missions abroad,
officials based in Washington, and non-governmental sources. In an effort to
provide as comprehensive and accurate a report as possible, the Department has
taken steps in recent years to expand the coverage in the Country Reports and
has consulted with interested congressional offices and representatives of
non-governmental organizations regarding additional points and issues in the
area of religious freedom that might be included in the reports.
In 1993 the Secretary of
State instructed all embassies to establish inter-agency committees on human
rights. In recent months, the State Department has made additional efforts to
aggressively pursue issues of religious freedom in the field. In December 1996,
the Department alerted all U.S. diplomatic missions to the establishment of the
Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad,
underscored the importance of religious freedom as one of our worldwide human
rights objectives, and urged increased reporting on problems in the area of
religious freedom. Posts were asked to give special attention in their
reporting to specifying the religions or denominations that are targets of
discrimination and persecution. In 1997, U.S. Missions abroad were again
instructed to give careful attention to issues of religious freedom, to
increase their reporting, and to focus also on treatment of non-traditional
religions and sects. As a result of these instructions there has been an
increase in the reporting from posts on issues of religious freedom and
religious persecution.
In 1996 the Department
inaugurated a special award to recognize Foreign Service Officers for
exceptional reporting and personal effort in support of initiatives that
promote respect for human rights and the development of democracy. Among the
four officers whose 1996 performance was recognized, two were commended for
their outstanding work with, and on behalf of, members of religious minorities,
including Christians, in Turkey and Cuba.
Under U.S. immigration law,
asylum may be granted to persons with a well-founded fear of persecution, based
on one (or more) of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality,
membership in a particular social group, and political opinion. Over the past
two years, the Department of State has worked with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service and the Executive Office of Immigration Review to help
streamline the Department’s role in the asylum adjudication process. The Office
of Asylum Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor has
developed more than 50 profiles of country conditions and asylum claims
covering the countries that generate approximately 90% of all asylum claims.
The profiles have amplified and focused the information available to asylum
adjudicators, including information on religious persecution. At the same time,
changes in the asylum adjudication regulations that went into effect in 1995
have significantly increased the speed with which asylum cases are decided.
The profiles are under
constant review to ensure that they take into account changing human rights
conditions, new developments in asylum law, and the major categories of human
rights violations cited in asylum claims. Issues of religious persecution
figure prominently in this ongoing evaluation.
The American business
community is in a unique and strategic position to promote human rights around
the world. Accordingly, we have worked to promote the President’s Model
Business Principles among U.S. businesses, thus underscoring the U.S.
Government’s view that human rights and economic development are complementary,
not contradictory, and that a good human rights environment supports and
promotes a good business environment.
In June 1997, the U.S.
Government presented the first annual Best Global Practices Award to Asia
Pacific Resources, Inc. (APR), whose president is Mr. John Kamm. APR was
recognized for its efforts to obtain the release of individuals detained or
imprisoned by the Chinese authorities for exercising their right to free
expression, including their religious beliefs, and for its aggressive advocacy
before the business community and the Chinese public in encouraging respect for
human rights. The award ceremony was hosted by the Department of Commerce, in
cooperation with the Department of State and other U.S. Government agencies.
Through Radio Free Asia, the
Voice of America, and the U.S. Information Agency, we regularly broadcast
editorials to promote religious freedom and other human rights, and report on
activities in the United States and at international fora that address issues
of religious freedom, as well as religious intolerance, discrimination, and
persecution. The dissemination of information is a valuable and essential tool
for promoting our human rights objectives, particularly in countries where
freedom is restricted.
The U.S. Government provides
assistance to support the work of organizations monitoring violations of human
rights and promoting respect for human rights so that religious freedom can
flourish. While some of these programs are specifically targeted at the issue,
others are broader in scope but still impact positively on the problem. For
example, grants are provided to facilitate conflict resolution, establish the
rule of law and justice, strengthen civil society and good governance, provide
education on basic human rights and promote reconciliation. These initiatives
also serve to reinforce the importance of legal protection for religious
practices and the valuable role of non-governmental organizations.
The U.S. Government has also
strongly supported religious reconciliation and inter-faith cooperation in
countries torn by conflict. The first inter-faith humanitarian initiative in
Bosnia was inaugurated by the First Lady during her visit there in January
1996.
The U.S. Government has
supported educational and cultural exchange programs that promote religious
liberty and tolerance. For example, U.S. Information Service (USIS) posts have
sent clerics, journalists, politicians and academics to the United States to
participate in an annual International Visitors Program on “Religion in
America,” in which they meet with American Christian, Muslim, Jewish and
ecumenical groups to discuss ways of promoting religious tolerance.
The Department of State uses
a range of policy tools to advance human rights generally and religious freedom
in particular. Instances of human rights violations, including religious
persecution, are frequently the focus of action by the Department and U.S.
embassies abroad.
The Department carefully
monitors and gathers information on the status of all human rights, including
religious freedom, in all countries of the world. To enhance these efforts,
U.S. embassies have been instructed to include prominent religious leaders
among their contacts. When rights are violated, the Department speaks out
publicly. While the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices provides the most
extensive and systematic public description of violations, the Department
Spokesman and embassy officials abroad also comment regularly and publicly on
instances of religious persecution. These U.S. views are conveyed directly to
governments. In addition, public diplomacy in support of religious freedom is
advanced through the programs of the U.S. Information Agency and broadcasting
by the Voice of America.
U.S. Government officials
often raise problems of religious freedom or religious persecution with foreign
government officials. The Department has instructed embassies in many countries
to enter into dialogue with their host government on religious freedom issues.
In several countries, embassies have raised systemic problems with governments,
such as broad discrimination against members of certain religious groups,
legislation that infringes on religious liberties, or government interference
with church affairs. U.S. Ambassadors and other officials have encouraged
governments to state publicly their opposition to acts of violence or
discrimination against religious groups. U.S. embassies also frequently raise
with host governments specific cases of persecution of individuals for the
peaceful practice of their religion.
Beyond such direct
intervention with foreign governments on behalf of religious freedom, U.S.
foreign policy in general, and human rights policy in particular, seeks to
develop and strengthen peaceful and democratic societies which foster an
atmosphere conducive to religious freedom. Our multifaceted efforts to build
democratic institutions are aimed in part at creating a framework for greater
tolerance. In this manner, democracy projects sponsored by both the State
Department and the Agency for International Development, as well as U.S.
Information Agency exchange programs, contribute in substantial ways to U.S.
efforts to expand religious freedom.
Religious persecution remains
a serious problem in many countries. The annex to this report provides specific
examples that illustrate the types of bilateral actions the U.S. Government has
taken to promote religious freedom and oppose religious discrimination,
intolerance, and persecution throughout the world, with a particular focus on
the situation for Christians, as requested by Congress. While this is not an
exhaustive list, the countries included in this report provide a representative
sample of the types of restrictions, harassment, and persecution that exist in
different regions, and the types of U.S. Government actions taken against
religious persecution. The selection of these countries was based on
expressions of concern by congressional and non-governmental observers, and
data reported in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Additional
details on the status of religious freedom in these and other countries can be
found in the Country Reports.
At the United Nations Human
Rights Commission (UNHRC), the United States Government has traditionally
co-sponsored an annual resolution that condemns acts of hatred, violence,
intolerance, and discrimination based on religion or belief, and reaffirms that
freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief are fundamental human
rights derived from the inherent dignity of the person.
At the 1997 UNHRC meeting,
the U.S. delegation made religious freedom one of its main thematic issues. The
delegation delivered a strong statement on religious liberty and religious
persecution, which included specific reference to the persecution of Christians
in Sudan, Egypt, Iran, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China. The statement also cited
other faiths that face persecution, including Tibetan Buddhists, Baha’is,
Muslims, and Jews. The delegation worked successfully to incorporate language
on religious freedom in several country-specific resolutions.
At the 1996 UNHRC meeting,
the U.S. delegation devoted two of its major statements to the themes of
religious freedom and intolerance. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor Shattuck delivered a vigorous statement on religious
freedom, emphasizing U.S. concern over the treatment of Christians and
adherents of other faiths in many countries around the world. This was also the
theme of a U.S. delegation speech on the implementation of the U.N. Declaration
on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance based on Religion or Belief.
The United States introduced
the original resolution calling for the appointment of a U.N. Special
Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance at the 42nd UNHRC in 1986. Since then, the
U.S. Government has consistently supported the continuation of the Special
Rapporteur’s work and has repeatedly and successfully negotiated for extensions
of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.
In addition, the United
States has introduced, co-sponsored, and supported country resolutions that
highlight religious persecution and violations of the right to freedom of
thought, conscience, religion, and belief. For example, the 1996 and 1997 UNHRC
resolutions on human rights abuses in Iran condemned the intimidation of
Christian minorities, as well as assassinations. The resolutions on Sudan, and
the draft resolutions on China, both sponsored by the United States, also
condemned religious intolerance against Christians and others in those
countries.
In 1996, as in past years,
the United States co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) condemning religious intolerance. The U.S. Government also
supported an UNGA resolution on human rights abuses in Iran that highlighted
violations committed against Christians and Baha’is.
Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe
The United States has raised
the issue of religious freedom at a series of recent conferences of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), focusing attention
on countries that have failed to protect the right to freedom of religion and
highlighting specific instances of persecution or discrimination against
Christians and adherents of other religions. At the OSCE Conference on the
Human Dimension in Vienna, Austria, in November 1996, the U.S. delegation drew
attention to the mistreatment of Christian minorities in Albania, Azerbaijan,
and Greece.
As noted above, this annex
provides a variety of examples that illustrate the types of bilateral actions
the U.S. Government has taken to promote religious freedom and to eliminate
religious discrimination, intolerance, and persecution throughout the world,
with a particular focus on the situation for Christians, as requested by
Congress. It is not an exhaustive list of all U.S. Government activities in
this area, but provides a summary of the current situation and bilateral
initiatives in a number of countries. The countries included in this summary
provide a representative sample of the types of restrictions, harassment, and
persecution that exist in different regions, and the types of U.S. Government
actions taken against religious persecution. Religious persecution remains a
serious problem in many countries. In some instances, there are no reports of
religious persecution, but policies exist that could impact Christians and
members of other religious and belief communities. In addition, the omission of
a country from this report does not imply that incidents of discrimination,
intolerance, or persecution against Christians or members of other faith
communities does not occur.
The selection of the
countries in this annex was based on expressions of concern by congressional
and non-governmental observers, and data reported in the Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices. The report draws from the State Department’s Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices and information gathered in recent months,
both officially and unofficially; every effort was made to verify the accuracy
of the information contained in this report. In accordance with the
congressional request, the emphasis in the annex is on the situation Christians
face and actions taken by the U.S. Government. Additional details on the status
of religious freedom in these and other countries can be found in the Country
Reports.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion. The small number of non-Muslim residents, mostly Hindus and
Sikhs, may practice their religion but may not proselytize. There are very few
Christian residents; most are foreigners.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. does not maintain an Embassy in Afghanistan. We have urged all factions in
the Afghan civil war to observe basic human rights norms.
Current situation: The
constitution declares Islam to be the state religion but prohibits
discrimination based on religious belief. The Government respects this right in
practice. It permits the small Christian and Jewish populations to practice
their faiths without interference.
Conversions from Islam to
other religions are rare. Because of security worries and potential legal and
social problems, Muslim converts to other religions practice their new faith
clandestinely. The Family Code prohibits Muslim women from marrying
non-Muslims, although this is not always enforced. The Code does not restrict
Muslim men from marrying non-Muslim women.
In 1994 the Armed Islamic
Group (GIA), an extremist group that seeks to topple the Government, declared
its intention to eliminate Jews, Christians, and polytheists from Algeria. The
Christian community, composed mostly of foreigners, curtailed its activities.
Some church workers left the country because of GIA threats. During 1996 the
GIA kidnapped and killed seven Roman Catholic monks in central Algeria, and the
Catholic Bishop of Oran also was murdered at his home. During 1995 two Roman
Catholic priests and three nuns were murdered, and a fourth nun was wounded by
extremists. In October 1993 the GIA warned all foreigners to leave Algeria or
face death. Members of the clergy were among the 90 foreigners killed in 1994.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has an ongoing dialogue with the Algerian Government concerning
human rights. In 1996 the State Department spokesman publicly condemned the
murders of seven Trappist monks, who were kidnapped by GIA terrorists.
Current situation: The
Armenian constitution provides for the right to practice the religion of one’s
choice, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. However,
the law imposes some restrictions on religious freedom, and the right to
freedom of conscience is not fully protected. The 1991 law on religious
organizations establishes the separation of church and state, but recognizes
the Armenian Apostolic Church as having special status. Other Christian
organizations continue to face problems as a result of the law and other
factors. Some Armenian Orthodox clergy have reportedly made statements opposing
the activities of non-Apostolic churches and other religions in recent years.
The 1991 law forbids
proselytizing and requires all non-Apostolic religious organizations to
register with the Government. Petitioning organizations must “be free from
materialism and of a purely spiritual nature” and must subscribe to a doctrine
based on “historically recognized holy scriptures.” Parliament recently passed
amendments to the 1991 law. If enacted, the amendments would have required
non-ethnic based religious groups to re-register within 6 months, increased the
minimum number of members from 100 to 200 for registration, forbidden the
financing of non-Apostolic groups from abroad, and restricted membership in
such groups to those over 18 years of age. These provisions would not have
applied to certain religious organizations of ethnic minorities, such as Yezids,
Jews, Greeks, and Russians. President Ter-Petrossian subsequently declined to
approve these amendments, and has sent them back to the parliament with a
detailed list of objections and suggested changes.
A presidential decree issued
in 1993 supplemented the 1991 law and strengthened the position of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. The decree empowers the Council on Religious Affairs to
investigate the activities of representatives of registered religious
organizations and to ban missionaries who engage in activities contrary to
their status. A religious organization refused registration cannot publish a
newspaper or magazine, rent a meeting place, have its own programs on
television or radio, or officially sponsor the visas of visitors to Armenia.
The Armenian Government has
not registered Jehovah’s Witnesses on the grounds that the organization’s
charter is incompatible with current Armenian law on compulsory military
service. As of June 1997, the total number of churches and religious
organizations registered in Armenia was 43.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has raised the subject of religious freedom with Armenian
officials. Following the Parliament’s recent approval of amendments to the law
on religion, the Embassy expressed concern to a government official over the
impact of these amendments on religious freedom in Armenia.
The U.S. Ambassador has met
with President Levon Ter-Petrossian to urge greater attention to citizens’
human rights and to convey the U.S. Government’s concern about attacks on
non-mainstream religious communities, both Christian and non-Christian. The
Ambassador’s intervention followed an incident in 1995 when paramilitary troops
staged a series of attacks against members of a dozen non-Apostolic religious
groups, both Christian and non-Christian. Paramilitary troops broke up
services, beat and kidnapped pastors and adherents, and ransacked offices and
stole equipment. The attacks were reportedly triggered by the perception that
the religious groups that were targeted were opposed to the military draft.
Several victims were hospitalized, and about 20 adherents were held for several
days or weeks at a military police facility before being released. The
President told the U.S. Ambassador that he had taken measures to ensure that
these attacks would not be repeated. No subsequent attacks have been reported.
Current situation: Austrian
law grants freedom of belief but limits the right to organize as a religious
entity. There are 13 recognized religious organizations. To qualify as a
religious organization, the Government must determine that the group meets
certain religious criteria, will operate in full compliance with the Austrian
legal code, and will not practice or preach ideas contrary to accepted social
customs. Religious recognition offers important benefits such as exemption from
property taxes, entitlement to state-collected church taxes, the right to
engage in religious education, and immunity from securing work or residence
permits for foreign religious workers who act as ministers, missionaries, or
teachers. Non-recognized churches in Austria, including some Christian
religious organizations, have been limited in their ability to sponsor U.S.
religious workers in Austria. A government initiative to protect citizens from
dangerous religious cults or sects could lead to discrimination against certain
religious groups not among the 13 officially recognized religious
organizations, including Christian groups.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has been very active in its support of non-recognized churches in
Austria, and has discussed such matters with the Austrian Government. It has
worked with U.S. representatives of a number of groups that had experienced
difficulty in securing residence permits, and has suggested to the Austrian
Government that it meet regularly with a single point of contact, an ombudsman
who would present cases to the Government. As a result of this initiative,
meetings were held between Austrian Government officials and the coalition of
non-recognized groups, which produced agreement on a new, more acceptable set
of procedures for the attainment of residence permits. While the issue of
official recognition remains to be resolved, the new administrative process has
proven very successful. The Austrian authorities have granted Baptist
ministers, Quaker missionaries, and others the right to remain in Austria
legally.
Current situation:
Azerbaijan’s constitution does not designate a state religion. It provides for
the right of people of all faiths to practice their religion without
restrictions, and the Government generally respects these rights. However, the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict led in the late 1980’s to rising anti-Armenian
sentiment and the forced departure of most of the Armenian population, which
has led to the closing of Armenian churches. A 1996 law on foreigners and
stateless persons prohibits religious proselytizing by foreigners, although it
is unclear how actively this law is being enforced.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Ambassador has repeatedly raised U.S. concerns about the law on
proselytizing with top-level Azerbaijani officials, including President Heydar
Aliyev, emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s improving record on religious tolerance
should be continued and urging the Government to allow both Azerbaijanis and
foreigners to express their beliefs.
In 1996 the Ministry of
Justice denied registration to a foreign Christian group, but allowed it to
continue to function. The U.S. Ambassador intervened on behalf of the Christian
group and specifically urged the Government to register the organization.
The U.S. Ambassador has both
publicly and privately addressed discrimination against, and harassment of,
Christians. The Ambassador publicly opposed a campaign against Christian
missionary groups that emerged in the official and unofficial press in late
1996. The campaign was partially fueled by a statement allegedly made by the
leader of the Armenian Church, who purportedly told Christian missionaries that
they should leave Armenia and go to places where they were needed, such as
Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Justice created problems when the missionary groups
attempted to register, and landlords were pressured not to rent meeting places
to missionary groups.
The U.S. Ambassador has also
raised the issue of freedom of religion--and specifically the treatment of
Christian missionary groups--with President Aliyev (particularly in two
meetings in December 1996, but also in several other meetings that he has had
with the President). The Ambassador also pressed for religious freedom and fair
treatment for Christian missionaries in meetings with Prosecutor General Eldar
Hasanov, Minister of Interior Ramil Usubov, the Speaker of Parliament,
presidential Legal Adviser Shahin Aliyev, Foreign Minister Hasan Hasanov, the
Acting Minister of Justice, President Aliyev’s National Security Adviser, and
Sheik Al-Islam Pashazade, the religious leader of the Caucasus Muslims. In
addition, the Ambassador has intervened in several matters with regard to
religious freedom and has stressed the importance of human rights and religious
freedom with local media.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion. However, Christians and other non-Muslims are free to
practice their religion, maintain their own places of worship, and display the
symbols of their religion. Bibles and other Christian publications are
displayed and sold openly in local bookshops. Some small groups worship in
their homes. Notables from virtually every religion and denomination visit
Bahrain and frequently meet with government and civic leaders.
Proselytizing by non-Muslims
is discouraged, anti-Islamic writings are prohibited, and while conversion from
Islam to other religions is not illegal, converts are subject to societal
discrimination.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States maintains an ongoing dialogue with Bahrain on human rights
issues.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion. However, the constitution provides for freedom of religion,
and this right is respected in practice. Strong social resistance to conversion
from Islam means that many missionary efforts are directed at Hindus and tribal
peoples. Christian missionaries sometimes face problems in obtaining visas.
Religious minorities are disadvantaged in obtaining government jobs, though the
extent of the problem is unknown.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of
Bangladesh, including respect for human rights.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally
respects this right in practice. However, a July 1995 Cabinet of Ministers
directive sharply limits the activity of foreign religious workers. Citizens
are not prohibited from proselytizing, but foreign missionaries may not engage
in religious activities outside the institutions that invited them. Only
religious organizations already registered in Belarus may invite foreign
clergy. This 1995 directive hampered foreign religious workers’ efforts to
proselytize; it seeks to limit them to providing humanitarian aid only.
The Cabinet of Ministers
regulation is seen as a means of enhancing the position of the Orthodox Church
with respect to the faster-growing Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, and
also as a means of preventing religious movements outside the mainstream from
spreading. President Aleksandr Lukashenko has granted special tax and other
financial advantages to the Orthodox Church, which other denominations do not
enjoy, and has declared the preservation and development of Orthodox
Christianity a “moral necessity.” In 1995, 50 Polish Roman Catholic priests
were reportedly denied registration as foreign religious workers. There were no
reports of such denial of registration in 1996. Bishops must receive permission
from the State Committee on Religious Affairs before transferring a foreign
priest to another parish. The head of the Orthodox Church, who is closely
associated with the President, frequently speaks critically of missionaries.
Some difficulties still exist
in transferring church property from state control back to the former owners.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government regularly engages the Government of Belarus on a wide range of
human rights issues and concerns. The Ambassador and other embassy officers
maintain contacts with different Christian organizations at a range of levels.
Current situation: The
Government does not hinder the practice of any faith. The law accords “recognized”
status to Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Anglicanism, Islam, and
Greek and Russian Orthodoxy. These recognized religions receive subsidies drawn
from general government revenues. By law each recognized religion has the right
to provide teachers at government expense for religious instruction in schools,
but not all avail themselves of this right.
In April 1997, the Belgian
Parliamentary Commission released a 670 page report on sects and the potential
dangers they may pose to society and to individuals, especially minors.
Defining a sect as “an organized group of persons who have the same doctrine at
the heart of a religion,” the report listed 189 organizations as fitting this
definition, including Christian groups such as Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons,
Opus Dei, Quakers, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Amish. The Commission
differentiated among sects, harmful sectarian organizations, and criminal
associations but made no distinction on the list. It recommended the creation
of two entities to monitor sects: first, a task force to foster cooperation and
coordination within the law enforcement community on intelligence about sects;
and second, an independent center to observe sects and propose policy for
fighting dangers they pose.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government is following the implementation of the Commission’s
recommendations, especially as they pertain to the increased mandate for the
judicial system to monitor those organizations suspected of posing a threat to
society. The United States would be concerned if individuals were to be denied
rights on the basis of belief or mere affiliation with a certain group, rather
than on the basis of illegal acts.
Current situation: Buddhism
is the state religion. Citizens of other faiths, mostly Hindus, enjoy freedom
of worship but may not proselytize, and conversions are illegal. Foreign
missionaries may not proselytize but international Christian relief
organizations and Jesuit priests are active in educational and humanitarian activities.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, including private and public
worship, and in the Federation the authorities rarely interfered. However, in
Bosnia religion and ethnicity are so closely intertwined as to be inseparable.
In general, individuals in their ethnic majority areas, who constitute the
great majority of the population, enjoy unfettered freedom of religion.
However, there were some incidents of inter-ethnic violence that resulted in
damage to religious property. For example, in July 1996 a Roman Catholic church
in the Muslim-controlled town of Bugojno was firebombed. It was reportedly the
last Catholic church in the town. This act followed by a few days a fire that
damaged a mosque in the Croat-controlled town of Prozor, and may have been in
retaliation for the burning of the mosque. In the Republika Srpska abuse of
ethnic minorities has been tantamount to official policy. The Croat Catholic
minority has been subjected to numerous forms of harassment, including attacks
on Catholic priests and nuns and desecration of religious property.
U.S. Government actions: U.S.
Government officials have met with leading religious figures and have
encouraged and sought to facilitate inter-faith initiatives to promote
reconciliation. The United States is working constantly for reconciliation
among all parties to the conflict and a lasting settlement that ensures that
human rights are respected, including religious freedom.
Current situation: The
constitution states that the country’s religion is the Shafeite sect of the
Muslim religion, “provided that all other religions may be practiced in peace
and harmony by the person professing them.” In 1997 the Government sporadically
voiced alarm about “outsiders” preaching radical Islamic fundamentalist or
unorthodox beliefs. Citizens deemed to have been influenced by such preaching
(usually students returning from overseas study), have been “shown the error of
their ways” in study seminars organized by orthodox Islamic religious leaders.
The Government seems more concerned about these so-called Islamic
“opportunists” than unwelcome political views.
Despite constitutional
provisions providing for the full and unconstrained exercise of religious
freedom, the Government routinely restricts the practice of non-Muslim
religions by prohibiting proselytizing; occasionally denying entry to foreign
clergy or particular priests, bishops, or ministers; banning the import of
religious teaching materials or scriptures such as the Bible; and refusing
permission to expand, repair, or build new churches, temples, and shrines.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues in the overall context of
the promotion of human rights.
Current situation: Although
the constitution provides for freedom of religion, the Government restricts
this right in practice for some non-Orthodox Christian groups, and
discrimination against them increased during 1996. The ability of a number of
religious groups to operate freely continued to come under attack, both as a
result of government action and because of public intolerance. The government
requirement that groups whose activities have a religious element register with
the Council of Ministers remained an obstacle to the activity of some religious
groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Word of Life, which have been denied
registration. Despite several applications, no new religious denominations were
registered in 1996.
The Government refused most
requests for visas and residence permits for foreign missionaries, and some of
them came under physical attack in the street and in their homes. The police
response was indifferent, despite the expressed concern of the Government about
such cases. Members of the Mormon church reported continued acts of harassment
and assault, including some perpetrated by the police themselves. In April
1997, Bulgarian National Investigative Service officials confiscated religious
materials and some personal belongings from several Mormon missionaries
entering Bulgaria from the United States. In May one of the missionaries was
arrested for possession of methaphetamines when he attempted to recover his
possessions, including some vitamins. He was released on bail and his case
remains open. Missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses also reported an incident of
beating by the police. In December 1995, a Jehovah’s Witness mother living in
Asenovgrad was denied custody of her son solely because of her religious
beliefs. The woman has appealed to the Supreme Court.
On several occasions during
1996 the police shut down religious meetings of unregistered groups. In June
the police broke up a Jehovah’s Witness meeting at a public dance hall in
Asenovgrad and confiscated religious material. In August the police raided a
private hall in Sofia and closed down a meeting of Word of Life. Bibles and
other religious materials in the Bulgarian language were freely imported and
printed, and Muslim, Catholic, and Jewish publications were published on a
regular basis. Nevertheless, there were reports that police confiscated
religious books and cassettes during searches of Word of Life members.
By order of the Minister of
Education, a private religious elementary school located in Lovetch was closed
in August 1996. The “School of Tomorrow” was run by the registered evangelical
denomination “Shalom” (a group distinct from the Jewish community organization
of the same name). According to Shalom, the school was part of a network of
similar schools, founded by an American citizen and associated with several
Protestant churches, in 108 countries.
U.S. Government actions: U.S.
Government officials meet with religious groups that have experienced
discrimination in Bulgaria, as well as with representatives of human rights
organizations well versed in the problems that these groups face. The U.S.
Government has privately and publicly raised its concerns about the treatment
of Christian evangelical groups in Bulgaria, including specific incidents, with
the Bulgarian Government.
At the OSCE Conference on the
Human Dimension in Vienna in November 1996, the U.S. delegation protested
discrimination against “non-traditional” religious groups, including the Word
of Life Church and the Church of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and, in a private
meeting, called upon the Bulgarian Government to promote actively greater
religious tolerance of all religious groups without exception.
Current situation: The Government imposes several severe restrictions on fundamental
freedoms. Adherents of all religions that are duly registered with the
authorities generally enjoy freedom to worship as they choose. However,
religious publications, like secular ones, remain subject to control and
censorship. Christian Bibles translated into indigenous languages cannot
legally be imported or printed. It remains extremely difficult for Christian
and Muslim groups to obtain permission to build new churches and mosques, and
there were credible reports of incidents in which the Government removed
cemeteries in constructing infrastructure projects in urban areas. Buddhists
constitute the vast majority of citizens. Buddhist organizations are also subject
to government monitoring and interference. In December 1996, the Government
ordered the removal of Christian, Chinese, and Buddhist graves from the Kyandaw
Cemetery in Rangoon to make way for a planned real estate development.
Religious groups have established
links with co-religionists in other countries, although these activities are
reportedly monitored by the Government. Foreign religious representatives are
usually allowed visas only for short stays, but in some cases have been
permitted to preach to congregations. Permanent foreign missionary
establishments have not been permitted since the 1960’s, but seven Catholic
nuns and four priests working in Burma since before independence in January
1948 continue their work.
The Government monitors the
activities of members of all religions, in part because such members have, in
the past, become politically active. The Muslim and Christian religious
minorities continued to be regarded with suspicion by the authorities. In
particular, there is a concentration of Christians among the ethnic minorities
against whom the army has fought for decades, such as the Karen. In recent
months there have been increased reports that thousands of Burmese soldiers
have swept through Karen areas along the Burma-Thailand border, raping women
and forcing men to act as porters for the military.
The DKBA--a
government-supported faction of Buddhist Karen--has conducted cross-border
raids into Thailand, attacking Karen refugee camps, killing and kidnapping
Christian Karen National Union leaders and members, killing Thai police and
soldiers, and burning two camps in late January 1997.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy monitors restrictions on religious
freedom, as well as other human rights problems, and repeatedly raises strong
concerns and particular cases of persecution in meetings with government
officials. The overall human rights situation in Burma deteriorated
significantly in 1996, and, in response to the Government’s dismal human rights
record and a continuing pattern of severe repression, the President in April
1997 imposed a ban on new U.S. investment in Burma.
The U.S. Government has also
applied a number of other measures against Burma, including suspension of all
U.S. assistance, imposition of an arms embargo, and opposition to assistance
for Burma from international financial institutions. As a sign of official
concern, the United States is represented at the charge level in Burma, rather
than by an ambassador. In October 1996, the President imposed a ban on visas
for senior Burmese government officials and their families. These sanctions are
intended to increase the pressure on the military-led government in Burma to
move in the direction of dialogue with the democratic opposition and leaders of
ethnic minority groups, as well as to respect fundamental human rights and
religious freedom.
Current situation: Burundi
has no state religion, and the Government makes no attempt to restrict freedom
of worship by adherents of any religion. In the context of an ongoing civil war
between the Tutsi-dominated government and military, and largely Hutu
insurgents, politically-motivated attacks on churches and church personnel
occur with some frequency, including massacres of civilians seeking sanctuary
in churches. In September 1996, the Catholic archbishop of Gitega, a Tutsi, was
killed in an ambush by persons whom church officials believe were Hutu rebels.
In November 1996, government soldiers killed between 200 and 400 Hutu refugees
in a church in Murambi province.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government has encouraged through many means (including embassy demarches,
public statements, visits by special envoys, and assistance to negotiations) a
cease-fire and all-party talks, as first steps in reaching a political
settlement to the conflict. The U.S. Government has also publicly condemned on
many occasions the attacks by both the Government and by Hutu rebels on
civilians, including churches and church personnel.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally
does not restrict this right in practice. Religious groups must be approved and
registered with the Ministry of Territorial Administration in order to function
legally; there are no known reports of the government refusing registration to
any Christian denomination. Many Christian churches of various denominations
operate freely throughout the country. Some Christians in rural areas of the
north, a predominantly Muslim region, complain of discrimination at the hands
of Muslims. Such discrimination as does occur appears to arise from cultural
bias, and not government practice. The Catholic Church has on occasion been
verbally attacked by the Government for being overly friendly to the political
opposition through its forthright criticism of corruption and mismanagement in
government circles.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Ambassador and other embassy officers have emphasized on numerous
occasions to government officials at all levels the need for wide-ranging
debate of public issues by members of civil society, including churches.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, and a variety of religious
communities, including the Christian community, are active in the country.
Religious organizations and missionary groups, including Christian
missionaries, are free to proselytize, worship, and construct places of
worship. However, the constitution also imposes certain legal conditions, and
prohibits religious fundamentalism and intolerance; the 1994 constitutional
provision forbidding fundamentalism is widely understood to be aimed at
Muslims. All religious groups must register with the government. The Government
may impose sanctions on any groups it considers subversive; no sanctions were
imposed in 1995 or 1996. A ban imposed by a previous government on Jehovah’s
Witnesses was lifted by the present Government after its election in 1993.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy encourages and advocates a broad-based democratic system with
respect for human rights, including religious freedom.
Current situation: The constitution states that citizens “enjoy freedom of religious
belief.” Nonetheless, the Government of China has sought to restrict all actual
religious practice to government-authorized religious organizations and
registered places of worship. In practice, this effort has been implemented
unevenly and in some areas unauthorized groups have flourished. Since 1980, and
particularly in recent years, religious groups--both registered and
unregistered--have grown rapidly, however, despite government attempts to
assert control over religion. State Council regulations signed in 1994 require
all religious groups to register with government religious affairs bureaus and
come under the supervision of official religious organizations.
Some religious groups have
registered, while others were refused registration, and others have not
applied. Many groups have been reluctant to comply due to principled opposition
to state control of religion, unwillingness to limit their activities, or
refusal to compromise their position on matters such as abortion. They fear
adverse consequences if they reveal, as required, the names and addresses of
members and details about leadership activities, finances, and contacts in
China or abroad.
Guided by a central policy
directive of October 1996 that launched a national campaign to suppress
unauthorized religious groups and social organizations, Chinese authorities in
some areas made strong efforts to crack down on the activities of unregistered
Catholic and Protestant movements in 1996-1997. They raided and closed several
hundred “house church” groups, many with significant memberships, properties,
and financial resources. Local authorities used threats, demolition of
property, extortion of “fines,” interrogation, detention, and
reform-through-education sentences in carrying out this campaign. Some leaders
of such groups were detained for lengthy investigation, and some were beaten.
There were reports that unofficial groups were particularly hard hit in Beijing
and the nearby provinces of Henan (where there are rapidly growing numbers of
Protestants), and Hebei, a center of unregistered Catholics. At present, four Catholic
underground bishops are among the many Christians who remain imprisoned or
detained, or whose whereabouts are unknown. Catholic priests, Bishop Joseph Fan
Zhongliang and Rev. Zen Caijun, were subjected to searches and seizures of
religious articles and other property in 1997.
The unregistered
Vatican-affiliated Catholic Church claims a membership far larger than the 4
million persons registered with the official Catholic Church (which does not
recognize the authority of the Pope), although no precise figures are
available. Government officials estimate that there are about 15 million
Protestant worshipers in China; other estimates indicate that approximately 10
million people belong to the official church, while perhaps as many as three to
seven times more worship in house churches that are independent of government
control.
While officially-registered
groups offer a growing range of services to their members and their
communities, they are subject to government guidance, and have limits on their
doctrinal teachings and activities. Bibles are printed in increasing
numbers--three million in 1996, up from one million in 1995--and are
distributed by official organizations in cooperation with foreign groups.
Social services, including those that benefit from foreign cooperation, are
permitted through designated quasi-official charitable organizations, as well
as through some individual churches.
Communist Party officials
state that party membership and religious belief are incompatible. This places
a serious limitation on religious believers, since party membership is required
for almost all high-level positions in government and state-owned businesses.
This requirement is enforced unevenly; according to a 1995 government survey,
20 percent of Communist Party members engage in some form of religious
activity.
The 1994 regulations also
codified many existing rules involving foreigners, including a ban on
proselytizing by foreigners. However, the regulations allow foreign nationals
to preach to foreigners, bring in religious materials for their own use, and
preach to Chinese at churches, mosques, and temples at the invitation of
registered religious organizations.
The Government exercises
control over the education of Christian and other religious clergy. According
to the Government, there are now 68,000 religious sites in China and 48
religious colleges. Government-sanctioned religious organizations administer
more than a dozen Catholic and Protestant seminaries and a limited number of
institutes to train scholars of other religions. Students who attend these
institutes must demonstrate “political reliability,” and pass an examination on
their political knowledge to qualify for the clergy. The Government is
permitting growing numbers of religious leaders to go abroad for religious
studies and allowing foreign organizations to provide training and materials in
China. Unofficial churches, however, have significant problems training clergy.
Hebei’s underground church seminary was closed down in 1996. The Government
bars the Vatican from designating bishops and appoints them directly instead.
Increased government concern
about the potential impact of ethnic separatist movements has also led to
restriction on the religious freedom of other believers. In Tibet, for example,
the authorities tightened restrictions on the practice of Tibetan Buddhism,
including public expression of reverence for the Dalai Lama. In the
predominantly Muslim Xinjiang Autonomous Region, the government tightened
control of religious activities in response to a separatist bombing campaign. A
number of mosques have been closed or destroyed, unsanctioned religious classes
have been canceled, and some local officials have been dismissed.
U.S. Government actions: The United States has made freedom of religion a
major focus of its human rights policy toward China and has raised the issue
frequently in bilateral discussions with Chinese officials. President Clinton
raised human rights issues with President Jiang Zemin at the November 1996
Asian Pacific Economic Conference. Vice President Gore discussed U.S. concerns
about restrictions on freedom of religion with senior government officials
during his March 1997 trip to Beijing. Secretary Albright, during her visit to
Beijing in February 1997, discussed U.S. concerns about restrictions on freedom
of religion with senior government officials.
In January 1997, a U.S.
Government delegation underscored the importance that the United States
attaches to fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, and
specifically expressed concern about the persecution of Christians in China.
The United States also has raised specific cases of Christians with the Chinese
Government, expressing our view that all those incarcerated for the peaceful
expression of their religious (or political) views should be released
immediately. For example, after Pastor Xu Yongze was arrested in March 1997 and
reports circulated of his possible execution, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing
raised his case with Chinese officials, who responded by providing information
regarding Xu’s activities and assurances that he would not be executed.
During Secretary
Christopher’s November 1996 trip to China, both he and Assistant Secretary
Shattuck raised with senior Chinese leaders a range of human rights concerns
and called for the release of political prisoners incarcerated for the peaceful
expression of their religious, political, or social views. Secretary
Christopher also emphasized that our relationship with China will not realize
its fullest potential without significant progress in China’s human rights
situation. In addition, Secretary Christopher extensively discussed these
problems with his counterpart, China’s Vice Premier Qian Qichen, in their four
meetings in April, July, September, and November 1996.
With regard to Tibet, the
Administration has strongly encouraged dialogue between the Chinese Government
and the Dalai Lama. During their April 1997 meeting with the Dalai Lama,
President Clinton and Vice President Gore expressed their continuing concern
for the situation of the Tibetan people, including the need to preserve the
religious freedom of Tibetan Buddhists. Secretary Albright and members of her
Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad reemphasized these in their
meeting with the Dalai Lama.
The United States has
continued its efforts to address the issue of freedom of religion in its public
diplomacy. The Department of State has issued official statements on the issue
of religious persecution on a regular basis.
We have also actively
promoted human rights in multilateral fora. We co-sponsored a resolution on
China’s human rights situation at the UNHRC in Geneva in April that included
the issue of religious freedom. We also delivered a statement on religious
freedom at the Commission, which contained references to China.
In 1997 the first annual Best
Global Practices Award was given to a company recognized for its aggressive
advocacy before the business community and the Chinese public in encouraging
respect for human rights, including interventions on behalf of religious
prisoners.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for complete religious freedom, and the Government
respects this right in practice. Roman Catholic religious instruction is no
longer mandatory in state schools, and a Constitutional Court decision in 1994
found unconstitutional any official government reference to religious
characterizations of the country. The Government permits proselytizing among
the indigenous population, provided that it is welcome and does not induce
members of indigenous communities to adopt changes that endanger their survival
on traditional lands. The law on the freedom of cults provides a mechanism for
religions to be recognized as legal entities.
Although overt religious
discrimination is rare, the work of many church organizations to promote peace
and nonviolent action in the midst of Colombia’s internal conflict has led to
attacks on church personnel. On May 19, two employees of the Jesuit-run human
rights organization, the Center for Investigation and Popular Education, were
murdered. Although the Colombian Government launched an immediate
investigation, no suspects have so far been identified.
In April 1997, the Ministry
of Education ordered the Mennonite Biblical Seminary of Colombia closed,
ostensibly because it did not meet educational requirements. However, it is the
Mennonite Church’s belief that the order was aimed at the 75 draft-age youth
enrolled in the Seminary’s peacemaker training program, even though the law
allows young men pursuing religious education programs to have their military
service deferred. The Ministry’s order has since been suspended but not
rescinded, thereby leaving the status of the students in limbo.
In January 1993, three
members of the New Tribes Mission were kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC), and have yet to be released. Although they are
thought to be alive, their precise whereabouts and welfare are unknown.
U.S. Government actions: Both
the Ambassador and senior officials at the Department of State have
persistently called on the Colombian authorities to take more aggressive
measures to reduce the high level of impunity for human rights abuses committed
by all parties to the internal conflict.
The U.S. Embassy has raised
the matter of the Mennonite Biblical seminary with the Colombian government,
but has not yet received a response.
In accordance with U.S.
policy against negotiating with hostage-takers and thereby encouraging further
acts of terrorism, the United States Government has offered the FARC no ransom
payments, prisoner exchanges, or any other concessions in the New Tribes
Mission case. However, U.S. Government representatives have kept in close touch
with the victims’ families and continue to work to gain the cooperation and
assistance of the Colombian government, the Costa Rican government, Colombian
law enforcement agencies, and numerous non-governmental organizations in urging
the FARC to release these hostages.
Current situation: An
overwhelming majority of the population is Sunni Muslim. The constitution
prohibits discrimination before the law based on religion or religious belief
but establishes an ulamas council, which advises the President, Prime Minister,
President of the Federal Assembly, the Council of Isles, and the island
governors on whether bills, ordinances, decrees, and laws are in conformity
with the principles of Islam. The Government permits non-Muslims to practice
their faith; Christian missionaries work in local hospitals and schools,
however, they are not allowed to proselytize.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has discussed religious freedom with the Government of Comoros in
the overall context of the promotion of human rights.
Current situation: The
current regime, newly installed in power after an unexpectedly quick victory
over the Mobutu government, has yet to formally establish its religious
policies. The Kabila Government has on several occasions declared its commitment
to broad principles of tolerance and respect for human rights. Credible
accounts of systematic and continuing human rights abuses in eastern Congo,
including massacres, appear to be based on ethnic division and intolerance, as
well as the intervention of neighboring nations. De facto practices point
toward religious tolerance; there were no known instances of religious
persecution of Christian churches or church personnel during the march across
the former Zaire by the armed forces of the new Government.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government has made the human rights policies of the new Kabila
Government, including religious tolerance, a cornerstone of its relationship
with the new regime. The Ambassador, and such visitors as U.N. Ambassador Bill
Richardson and Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Shattuck, have
made clear to the Government that assistance to the Congo will depend on the
human rights performance, including religious tolerance, of the new Government.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion and the Government respects this
right in practice. There is no state religion. Roman Catholicism and Eastern
Orthodox Christianity, are the major faiths in Croatia, and there are also
smaller Muslim, Protestant and Jewish communities. Croatian Protestants from a
number of denominations actively practice and proselytize.
Religion as a reflection of
ethnicity, however, is often used to identify non-Croats, particularly Serbs
and Bosniaks, who experience discrimination in citizenship, employment,
administration of justice, and housing. The close identification of religion
with ethnicity sometimes causes religious institutions to become targets of
violence. For example, last year two Orthodox churches were bombed by unknown
persons and a Catholic church in Eastern Slavonia was attacked by a Serb mob
during its Christmas services, which were attended by a group of ethnic Croats.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government has repeatedly urged the Government of Croatia to respect the
human rights of its citizens, including religious freedom, and to work for a
lasting settlement of the regional conflict that ensures that all human rights
are respected.
Current situation: Although the Government of Cuba has eased the harsher aspects of its
repression of religious freedom in recent years, religious persecution
continues. In 1996 there were several instances of persecution of Christians in
Cuba.
In December 1995, the Cuban
Government issued a resolution preventing any Cuban or joint enterprise from
selling computers, fax machines, photocopiers, or other equipment to any
church. A
In February 1996, the Union
of Communist Youth (UJC) affiliate within the lawyers’ collective in the town
of Palma Soriano, expelled attorney Cesar Antonio Martinez Melero from his
long-standing membership in the UJC because of his active involvement in the
Roman Catholic Church. In April 1996 a disciplinary board of the Julio Mella
Polytechnic Institute suspended Raul Leyva Ameran’s student stipend for 6
months for refusing on religious grounds to participate in a February 27 rally
in support of the Government’s February 24 shootdown of two civilian U.S. aircraft.
Leyva had said that as a Catholic, he “did not support the violent death of
anyone and for reasons of conscience (he) could not go to the rally.”
Government restrictions on
religious activities include limitations on access to the media, establishment
of schools, and sponsorship of social activities. Government harassment of
private houses of worship continued throughout 1996, with evangelical
denominations reporting evictions from, and bulldozing of, houses used for
these purposes. In the province of Las Tunas, neighbors of one private house of
worship tried to provoke fights with parishioners, blared music during
religious services, and tried to pour boiling water through the windows during
a religious service. In the western mining town of Moa, a group of evangelical
leaders submitted a written appeal to the local Communist Party to stop the
harassment of church members and the demolition of houses of worship, and to
lift the prohibition on the construction, expansion, or remodeling of churches.
The authorities warned religious leaders in Havana that they would impose fines
ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 pesos ($500 to $2,500), imprison leaders, and
withdraw official recognition from the religious denomination itself, unless
the private houses of worship were closed.
The Cuban Government,
however, relaxed restrictions on members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, whom it has
considered “active religious enemies of the revolution” for their refusal to
accept obligatory military service or participate in state organizations. The
Government authorized small assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the opening of a
Havana central office, and the publishing of the group’s “Watchtower” magazine
and other religious tracts.
The Castro regime authorized
a public mass for the first time since 1961 on June 29. This unprecedented
outdoor event outside Havana’s Cathedral celebrated the 19th anniversary of
Pope John Paul II’s election as Pope and served to kick off preparations for
the Pope’s January 1998 visit to Cuba. Jaime Cardinal Ortega celebrated mass
for about 4,000 persons, while the regime provided polite yet pervasive
security, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, and covered the mass in both
televised and print reports.
U.S. Government actions: U.S. policy toward Cuba is to promote peaceful,
democratic change and respect for human rights, including religious freedom.
The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Cuba, and the U.S.
Interests Section in Havana is unable to intervene formally regarding cases of
religious discrimination and harassment in Cuba. However, the Interests Section
reports on such cases, maintains regular contact with religious leaders of all
faiths throughout the country, and supports non-governmental organization
initiatives that aid religious groups. The U.S. Government continuously
marshals international pressure on the Cuban Government to cease its repressive
practices.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion of Djibouti, and virtually the entire population is Sunni
Muslim. The Government imposes no particular sanctions on citizens who do not
follow Islamic teachings. Foreign clergy and missionaries are permitted to
perform charitable works, but proselytizing is discouraged, although not
illegal. Various Christian churches operate for the benefit of the expatriate
community.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy encourages and advocates a broad-based democratic system with
respect for human rights, including the free expression of religious values.
Current situation: Egypt’s constitution provides for freedom of belief and the practice
of religious rites. For the most part, members of the non-Muslim minorities
worship without harassment and maintain links with co-religionists abroad.
However, Christians face discrimination based on tradition and some aspects of
the law, and there have been instances of persecution of Christians in Egypt in
recent years. In addition, Christians have been the target of terrorist groups
seeking to overthrow the Government and establish an Islamic state, and
terrorists have killed dozens of Christians, as well as hundreds of other
citizens, in the past few years, despite government efforts to protect the
population.
While technically
proselytizing is not a crime, authorities have charged a few Muslim converts to
Christianity under provisions of the Penal Code that prohibit the use of
religion to “ignite strife, degrade any of the heavenly religions or harm
national unity or social peace.” At least one Christian was detained in 1996 on
charges of ridiculing or insulting heavenly religions and/or inciting secular
strife under this law. In other cases authorities have used laws against
falsifying documents to prosecute Muslim converts to Christianity, since such
persons sometimes attempt to change their names and religious affiliation on
their identification cards and other official documentation to reflect their
conversion. There were credible reports that in 1996 state security officers in
Cairo detained, interrogated, and, in at least two cases, physically abused
several converts to Christianity in an effort to obtain information about the
identities and activities of other converts. There were also credible reports
of at least one similar case in 1995 involving several Christians and converts
to Christianity.
An 1856 Ottoman Decree still
in force requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to
build or repair a place of worship. Coptic Christians maintain that they have
frequently been unable to obtain such authorization, that such permits have
been delayed, or that they have been blocked by the security forces from using
authorizations that have been issued. The situation improved somewhat in the
1990’s, as the Government increased the number of permits issued to Christian
communities. However, Egyptian Protestants who are members of evangelical
churches reportedly believe that they currently face greater difficulties than
Coptic Christians in obtaining permission from the Government to build new
churches and repair old ones. Muslim and Christian reformers urge the abolition
of the Ottoman decree, but Islamists who oppose the spread of Christianity
defend the building restrictions. A local human rights organization brought a
legal case during 1996 requesting the abolition of the Ottoman Decree against
Copts. The case remains before the court.
In December 1996, the army
demolished buildings under construction at a Coptic farm and training center
for mentally disabled children. The Cheerful Heart Center had not obtained all
necessary building permits, which are strictly controlled due to Egypt’s scarce
supply of agricultural land.
There were reports of forced
conversions of Coptic children to Islam, but human rights groups find it
extremely difficult to determine the actual degree of compulsion used, as most
cases involve a Coptic girl converting to Islam to marry a Muslim boy. There
are credible reports of government harassment of Christian families attempting
to regain custody of their daughters, and of the failure of the authorities to
uphold the law prohibiting marriages of minors without the approval of the
guardian.
The Supreme Guide of the
Muslim Brotherhood--an illegal political organization--stated in April 1997
that once Egypt became “an Islamic state” Coptic Christians could not serve in
the army because in a conflict with a Christian country they “could change
their allegiance and become agents of the enemy.” This statement aroused a
furor among Egyptians, and President Hosni Mubarak, in his Labor Day speech
later that month, emphasized that the Copts are “an integral part” of the
“national fabric,” and “honorable citizens” who enjoy “equal rights and
duties.”
Both extremists and ordinary
citizens have committed acts of violence against churches and Copt-owned
businesses. Rumors of church repairs or building without permits occasionally
have resulted in anti-Christian rioting by citizens. In one incident in the
village of Kafr Demyan, local newspapers reported that the rioters were incited
by Muslim preachers who utilized mosque loudspeakers to call for retaliation
against the perceived violations. Copts also report extortion of money by
terrorists, who threaten to kill the person or his family if money is not paid.
The Government, the media, and senior Muslim clergy have strongly and publicly
condemned such acts.
Terrorists continue to attack
churches and properties belonging to Christians and to target and kill
Christian believers. In February 1997, gunmen attacked a prayer meeting at a
Coptic church in the village of Al Fikriya, killing nine young Christians and
wounding six. The gunmen killed another Christian while escaping, and the
bodies of three others were found in nearby fields 24 hours later. After this
incident, the Muslim clergymen in the four highest religious positions in Egypt
visited the scene to express their condolences to the families and Christian
clergy. The Government condemned the attack and agreed to pay restitution to
the victims’ families. Police routinely guard Coptic churches; however, no
police were on duty at the time of this incident. The Government is
investigating the absence of police. In a shoot-out in April, police killed two
alleged perpetrators of the attack.
In March 1997, suspected
Muslim extremists opened fire in the predominantly Christian village of Ezbet
Dawoud, killing 9 Coptic Christians and 4 Muslims, and wounding 15 others.
Later that night, gunmen fired at a Cairo-bound train outside the village,
killing one person and wounding six others. The Government and the media
strongly condemned the attack, and the nation’s leading Muslim clergymen also
visited the scene. Terrorists killed 22 Coptic Christians in 1996, including a
group of 8 in Assiyut in February. Terrorists killed at least 30 Christians in
1995 and at least 9 in 1994.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Ambassador and senior embassy officials
maintain contacts with the various Christian communities at the highest levels,
including Pope Shenouda III, leader of the Coptic Church, and Dr. Samuel Habib,
President of the Council of the Protestant Churches of Egypt. Through these
contacts and through contacts with human rights organizations, the Embassy
monitors reports of religious persecution and discrimination. For example, in
April 1997, in response to a request from Religious Freedom International, the
Embassy investigated allegations of discrimination against the Kasr Al-Dobara
Evangelical Church in an ongoing legal case. Embassy officers, in talking with
church officials and attorneys, found that the church was not suffering
discrimination. They continue to monitor the case.
The Embassy also maintains a
continuous dialogue with the Government of Egypt on all human rights issues.
Embassy actions regarding individual human rights cases are part of this ongoing
dialogue. The U.S. Government publicly and firmly condemned the killings of
Coptic Christians by terrorists.
Current situation: The
Government generally respects freedom of religion. There is no state religion,
and the Government does not discriminate against any faith. Religious
organizations must be formally recognized by the Ministry of Justice and
Religion before they can pursue their activities. Missionaries in 1996 reported
a significant easing of government pressure on their activities during the
year. The Government does restrict the freedom of expression of Catholic
clergy; there were several incidents in 1996 involving the arrest, beating, and
expulsion from parishes of priests accused of “political sermons.”
U.S. Government actions:
There is no resident U.S. Ambassador in Equatorial Guinea. The U.S. Embassy in
neighboring Cameroon has encouraged a general liberalization of
Equatorial-Guinean political culture, involving greater respect for the public
expression of alternate points of view, including views of church leaders.
Current situation: A draft
constitution provides for the freedom to practice any religion and to manifest
such practice. However the Government has banned religious organizations from
any involvement in politics, and has issued specific guidelines regarding the
role of religious organizations, stating that development, politics, and public
administration are the sole responsibility of government and the people. These
guidelines also govern relations between religious organizations and foreign
sponsors.
Government action against
Jehovah’s Witnesses occurs, as the Government considers their refusal to
participate in national service or vote in national referenda a collective
shirking of civic duty. The sanctions consist of revocation of business
licenses, and dismissal of civil servants who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and also
denial of identification cards, passports, and government housing.
U.S. Government actions: The
Ambassador and other embassy officers continue to express to the Eritrean
Government U.S. Government concern over the treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses,
and to work closely with Jehovah’s Witnesses to achieve fair treatment.
Current situation: The
Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this
right in practice. The 1993 Law on Churches and Religious Organizations
requires all religious organizations to have at least 12 members and to be
registered with the Interior Ministry and the Board of Religion. Leaders of
religious organizations must be citizens with at least 5 years’ residence in
Estonia.
People of varying ethnic
backgrounds profess Orthodoxy, including communities of Russian Old Believers
who found refuge in Estonia in the 17th century. In 1993, the synod of the
Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC) in exile, independent since 1919,
subordinate to Constantinople since 1923, and exiled under the Soviet
occupation, re-registered as the legal continuation of the pre-war EAOC; it has
subsequently been recognized by Tallinn courts as the heir to the EAOC name and
properties. This claim is disputed by the Russian Orthodox Church supported by
the Patriarch in Moscow, which has sought to register under the EAOC name and
has refused to register under any other name. During 1996 representatives of
the Moscow and Constantinople Patriarchates formed a joint commission to
resolve the question. The dispute, which centers on property issues, is the
subject of ongoing discussions. The Government has taken a hands off approach
to the issue, but has assured parishes aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church
that they may continue to worship unimpeded. Free worship has occurred in
practice.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy monitors the registration process for discrimination against
certain religious groups.
The Ethiopian constitution
provides for freedom of religion, including the right of conversion, and
freedom of worship exists in practice. Accurate information on the complex relationships
among Ethiopia’s religious groups is difficult to obtain, especially because
religious differences are often related to ethnic distinctions. Religious
tensions between Christians and Muslims, particularly in certain regions (most
notably the Oromiya and Somali regions) persist, and anti-Christian sentiment
is sometimes fueled by historical perceptions of Christians as elite. According
to reports from non-governmental organizations, tension at the local level
between and among Christians and Muslims has led to incidents of harassment,
intimidation, and in some cases, violence.
Tension--and some incidents
of harassment--also occur among Christian groups, for example, between Orthodox
Christians and Protestants and “newly arrived” Pentecostals. Such problems
reportedly stem to a considerable degree from cultural differences, rather than
religious intolerance per se. Pentecostals reportedly have difficulty gaining
acceptance in local communities because they are fairly new in Ethiopia and are
extremely active in seeking converts. In one incident in early 1997, there was
a clash between some Orthodox Christians and a group of Pentecostals and
Evangelicals who had planned a peaceful rally. The authorities jailed an
Orthodox priest for one night for inciting violence.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Ambassador has traveled throughout Ethiopia and has met with leaders of
the various religious traditions. He has discussed societal religious tension
with senior Ethiopian officials. The problem of religious persecution is
addressed in the overall context of the protection of human rights, though
government officials and some independent observers insist that there is a
general atmosphere of religious harmony throughout Ethiopian society.
Current situation: The law provides for separation of church and state, and the
Government respects this provision in practice. The State subsidizes private
schools, including those that are church-affiliated. Central or local
governments also own and provide upkeep for other religious buildings
constructed before 1905, the date of the law separating church and state.
Cultural associations with religious affiliations may also qualify for
government subsidies. Contrary to practice in the rest of France, the Jewish, Lutheran,
Reformed, and Roman Catholic religions in three departments of Alsace and
Lorraine enjoy special legal status. Adherents of these four religions may
choose to have a portion of their income tax allocated to their church in a
system the central Government administers.
A Parliamentary Commission on
Sects identified 172 groups as sects, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, which was
categorized as a “criminal sect” for its prohibition against blood
transfusions. The Commission’s Vice President has stated that certain elements
characterize sect behavior, including the mental manipulation of members
especially as pertains to money and sex, and the cultivation of an anti-social
mentality that leads to rupture with the family. The Commission is studying
legislative proposals to regulate sect activity without intruding upon
individual liberties.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Government is following the work of the
Parliamentary Commission on Sects. The United States would be concerned if
individuals were to be denied rights on the basis of their belief or mere
affiliation with a certain group, rather than on the basis of illegal acts.
Current situation: The Basic Law provides for religious freedom, and the Government
broadly respects this right in practice. Numerous religious groups are active
in Germany; many organizations, including many Christian groups, enjoy
tax-exempt status. Most of the population belongs to the Catholic or Lutheran
churches. These denominations and the Jewish community hold a special legal
status as corporate bodies under public law, giving them, for example, the
right to participate in a state-administered church tax system. State
governments subsidize church-affiliated schools and provide religious
instruction in schools and universities for those belonging to the Protestant,
Catholic, or Jewish faith. Groups of religious character, including some
Christian groups, which are not granted special legal status, do not benefit
from the privileges granted by the State.
Recently, a federal
administration court in Berlin denied Jehovah’s Witnesses the status of a
“public body” on the grounds that the church did not offer the “indispensable
loyalty” towards the State, because, for example, it refused to acknowledge
public elections. Jehovah’s Witnesses are appealing this ruling in the
Constitutional Court. Scientologists, including American citizens, have
reported discrimination and harassment in Germany. In June 1997, German
authorities placed the Church of Scientology under observation for one year, a
decision Scientologists indicated they would appeal.
In some German state
governments and state/local-level church organizations, sect observers work
within some political, administrative, and church structures to “educate” the
public and other officials about how to recognize members of sects. A German
Parliamentary “Commission of Inquiry on So-Called Psychogroups and Sects” is
preparing a report on sects and the potential dangers they may pose to society
and to individuals. One Christian Charismatic Church led by an American pastor
reported that it had been subjected over several years to vandalism, threats of
violence, and public harassment or scrutiny by sect commissioners. The church
is challenging a 1995 ruling by authorities in Cologne, who revoked its tax
exempt status on the grounds that it was not a charitable organization and did
not contribute to the cultural, religious, or spiritual value of German
society.
In May and June 1997, five
Catholic and Protestant churches in northern Germany were the targets of
graffiti and arson attacks. Government officials have condemned these acts,
arrests have been made in connection with some of the attacks, and
investigations are continuing.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Government has expressed concern to the
German Government about efforts to monitor religious organizations. The U.S.
Government also has told the German Government that it would be concerned if
persons were placed under observation or denied rights on the basis of mere membership
in a group, rather than suspicion of illegal acts by individuals.
Current situation: The constitution establishes the Greek Orthodox Church as the
prevailing religion, but it prohibits discrimination against adherents of other
religions. The Greek Orthodox Church wields significant influence though its
relationship with the Ministry of Education and Religion. Religious training is
mandatory in public schools for Greek Orthodox pupils. Non-Orthodox students
are exempt from this requirement. However, some teachers suspended members of
Jehovah’s Witnesses for not participating in school national day parades. The
constitution limits religious practice by prohibiting proselytizing; four
members of Jehovah’s Witnesses were harassed by the authorities, who arrested
and held them for several hours at police headquarters but subsequently
released them without pressing charges. Several cases involving proselytizing
were pending before the European Court of Human Rights at the end of 1996.
Non-Orthodox religious groups
must be recognized as a “known religion” before they can obtain a “house of
prayer” permit necessary to hold services. There is no formal mechanism for
newly arrived religious groups to apply for the prerequisite government
recognition. Such groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, cannot
obtain permits to operate a house of prayer without first having the status of
a “known religion,” but this status can only be obtained if the Greek
Government brings legal action against the group and a court deems the group’s
beliefs worthy of recognition as a religion. In practice, this means that
non-Orthodox religious groups exist in a legal twilight zone until they come
into conflict with the Greek Government over house of prayer permits, their
tax-exempt status, or conscientious objection; only then, and only if the group
wins the case, is recognition as a religion granted.
“House of prayer” permits are
submitted to the Ministry of Education and Religion, which bases its decision
on the perceived merit of a group’s beliefs, as well as the advisory opinion of
the Orthodox bishop. Obtaining this permit can be problematic for religious
groups that have been present in Greece for centuries, such as Roman Catholics;
the process is even more onerous for recently-arrived groups. In recent years,
such permission has been granted to some groups only after long delays, and
withheld altogether from other denominations. Two members of Jehovah’s
Witnesses were charged in February with the illegal use of a house of prayer in
Komotini.
Traditionally, ministers of
communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses were not granted the exemption from military
service accorded under the law to clergy of “known religions,” and thus served
prison sentences for refusing military service. Since 1990-1991, the Council of
State, the highest court dealing with civil and administrative matters (and
whose opinions are binding on the Government), has ruled that Jehovah’s
Witnesses were a “known religion” and has ordered the release of ministers who
had refused induction. However, the recruiting service of the armed forces
regarded these rulings as applying only to individual appellants, rather than
as binding precedents for subsequent instances in which ministers of
communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses were called up. It thus continued to rely,
in the first instance, on the opinion of the Ministry of Education and
Religion, which in turn accepted the view of the Greek Orthodox Church, that
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a “known religion.” As a consequence, for the past
few years, ministers of communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been called up
for military service and prosecuted for refusal to serve; only after conviction
could they appeal to the Council of State.
In September 1996, the European
Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of four members of Jehovah’s Witnesses who
had been found guilty by the Supreme Court in 1991 of illegally operating a
house of prayer. The Court found that the house of prayer authorization
procedure allowed the Government to limit the exercise of religious freedom by
members of non-Orthodox religions, and was therefore contrary to Article 9 of
the European convention on human rights. The Government nevertheless denied
after the verdict that any restrictions were imposed.
In May 1996, an appeals court
considering the case of former Greek Orthodox priest Nikodomos Tsarknias
overturned three of his previous convictions for “pretense of authority.” Human
rights monitors noted that the language of the court’s decision implied
recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. A permit request for
construction of a Macedonian Orthodox Church is pending with the Ministry of
Education and Religion.
In 1993 the Greek Government
granted recognition as a club to the Church of Greek Christians, a Christian
nondenominational group. In the years since, its members and leaders on the
island of Crete have come under attack by members of the Orthodox Church and
the media, who have accused club members of practicing black magic and club
leaders of stealing money. The Minister of Education ordered an investigation
of the group on charges that it was proselytizing among children in public
schools. Two teachers were removed from their jobs and a principal in a public
school was told that he would be removed from his job if he did not cross
himself in the manner that the Orthodox religion demands.
The Greek Parliament this
year created several new taxes on religious groups, one of which appears to hit
non-orthodox religious groups much harder than the Greek Orthodox Church. The
first law, passed in February 1997, related to the “abolition of tax
exemptions.” The second law, passed in May 1997, dealt with taxes on “large
real estate holdings.” These taxes pertain to property and the income of
institutions, such as schools and hospitals, which previously had been
considered non-profit and tax-exempt. Leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and
the Greek Jewish community have protested these laws in various European fora
and have raised their concerns with U.S. Government officials.
U.S. Government actions: U.S. Embassy officials meet frequently with
representatives of Christian groups that have experienced difficulties in
Greece to discuss their concerns about religious freedom. U.S. officials also
meet with Greek Government officials to discuss these matters. U.S. officials
have attended the trials of Christian church adherents charged with offenses
that relate to religious practice, and have used multilateral fora to express
concerns about the treatment of minority religious groups in Greece.
Current situation: The State is secular. The constitution provides for religious freedom,
and this right is respected in practice. There is no national law to bar
proselytizing by Indian Christians, but the Government has refused since the
mid-1960s to admit new resident foreign missionaries. Missionaries who arrive
now do so on tourist visas and stay for short periods only. As of 1993, there
were more than 1,900 registered foreign Christian missionaries.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues
with the Government of India, including respect for human rights.
Current situation: The Indonesian constitution provides for religious freedom and belief
in one Supreme God. The Government recognizes Islam, Catholicism,
Protestantism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and permits the practice of the
mystical, traditional beliefs of “Aliran Kepercayaan.” There are 170 million
Muslims making Indonesia the largest Muslim Country. There are also 12 million
Protestants and 6 million Catholics. However, the practice and teachings of all
recognized religions are generally respected, and the Government actively
promotes mutual tolerance among them. Non-Muslims hold positions of importance
in the military, the government, and in the business sector.
There are some restrictions
on religious freedom, including a ban on atheism and some restrictions on the
activities of unrecognized religions. The Government has also banned some
religious groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The law allows conversions
between faiths, and such conversions occur. The Government views proselytizing
by recognized religions in areas heavily dominated by another recognized
religion as potentially disruptive and discourages it. Foreign missionary
activities are relatively unimpeded, although in East Timor and occasionally
elsewhere missionaries have experienced difficulties and delays in renewing
residence permits, and visas allowing the entrance of new foreign clergy are
sometimes difficult to obtain. Laws and decrees from the 1970’s limit the
number of years that foreign missionaries can spend in Indonesia, with some
extensions granted in remote areas like Irian Jaya.
There were several instances
of religion-related mob violence during 1996. In July several Christian
churches were burned in Surabaya. On October 10, rioters destroyed 24 churches
and a Buddhist temple on the East Java coast, to protest the leniency of a
sentence given to a Muslim by an Indonesian judge for slandering Islam. In the
course of the riots a Protestant minister, his wife and child, and a church
worker were burned to death.
After the riots the
Government and local religious leaders took a number of actions. Fifty
individuals were arrested, of whom five were tried and sentenced to 1 to 5
months in prison. Abdurahman Wahid, the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU)--Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization--took moral responsibility for
the riots, because many of the rioters were NU members. The churches destroyed
in the October riots are being rebuilt with financial assistance from the
provincial government. Through the efforts of Abdurahman Wahid, confidence and
cooperation between these Christian and Muslim communities has been restored
and become stronger.
In addition, in response to a
riot in Situbondo, eight mass national student and youth organizations founded
the Nationality Forum for Indonesian Youth (FKPI), an organization that brings
together Hindu, Islamic, Protestant, and Catholic youth groups. The goals of
the forum are to create a new spirit of nationality, to create a place for the
expression of youth aspirations, and to provide a forum for cooperation between
religious groups and for communication to the grass roots level to prevent
further unrest.
The reported police beating
of Islamic teachers in December 1996, along with the false rumor that one of
the teachers had been killed, apparently was the cause of serious rioting in
Tasikmalaya, West Java, which involved thousands of people. Although sparked by
anger over police abuse, the rioting reportedly targeted businesses, factories,
and shops, including those owned by members of the Chinese community, churches,
and police offices. In September 1996, a group of young people burned a
Catholic church in east Jakarta. The group was apparently Muslim, and was
seeking to eliminate non-Muslim influences in the area.
The proportion of Catholics
in East Timor is much higher today than it was when it was a Portuguese colony.
The number of churches has increased substantially as well. In previous years,
Bishop Belo and other Catholics have expressed concern that the government may
be attempting to Islamize in East Timor through promoting migration of Muslim
Indonesians from other islands. In August 1996, in Viqueque, East Timorese
demonstrated against government-sponsored Muslim migrants to the area, and
burned a number of shops owned by these migrants. In June, also in East Timor,
the desecration of either a picture or statue of the Virgin Mary in Baucau
sparked rioting on the part of the Catholic East Timorese. This led to numerous
arrests and at least one serious injury. In October, President Soeharto
dedicated a 90-foot statue of Christ in Dili.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy engages the Government of Indonesia
on a wide range of human rights issues and concerns. During his March 1997 trip
to Indonesia, Assistant Secretary Shattuck raised the issue of tension between
groups of different religious faiths, and expressed concern about violent
incidents on Java, such as the Situbondo riot. In response, Indonesian
officials emphasized that they were working to promote better relations between
members of different religions. In 1997 the U.S. co-sponsored a UNHRC
resolution concerning the human rights situation on East Timor.
Current situation: The Iranian constitution declares that Islam is the “official
religion” of Iran and that “the sect followed is Ja’fari Shi’ism.” The
Government restricts freedom of religion both for other Muslim sects and other
religious minorities, including Christians. The constitution states that other
Islamic denominations “shall enjoy complete respect,” and also recognizes
Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Members of these religions elect
representatives to reserved parliamentary seats. They may practice their
religion and instruct their children, but the Government interferes with the
administration of their schools and harassment by government officials is
common. The law also stipulates penalties for government workers who do not
observe “Islamic principles and rules.”
Non-Muslims may not
proselytize Muslims. Muslims who convert to another faith are considered
apostates and may be subject to the death penalty. Four Baha’is remain in prison
under death sentences, convicted on charges of apostasy in 1996. There have
been no reports in recent years of Christians convicted on apostasy charges.
Official oppression of
evangelical Christians increased in 1996. In early July 1996, a Muslim convert
to Christianity, Shahram Sepehri-Fard, was arrested on charges of having
“sensitive information.” He has been denied visitors since shortly after his
arrest, and his condition is unknown. In late September 1996, another Muslim
convert to evangelical Christianity, Pastor Mohammed Yussefi (also known as
Ravanbaksh), was found dead in a public park. He is widely believed to have
been murdered by Iranian authorities. Yussefi had been imprisoned by the
Government on several occasions prior to his death. Three members of an
opposition movement, Mojahadin-e-Khaleq (MEK), Farohnaz Anami, Betoul Vaferi
Kalateh, and Maryam Shahbazpoor, are currently in prison for the 1994 murder of
Reverend Tatavous Michaelian, an evangelical Protestant pastor. The three women
claim that two other Christian pastors murdered in 1994, Reverend Mehdi Dibaj
and Reverend Haik Hovsepian Mehr, were also killed by the MEK. However, many
observers believe that it is more likely that the Government is responsible for
these deaths.
In January 1997, two
Christian evangelists, Daniel Baumann and Stuart Timm, were arrested and
detained under suspicion of espionage, a charge which is often levied against
persons who proselytize in Iran. Baumann is a Swiss/American dual national and
Timm holds South African citizenship. Both eventually were released without
having been charged.
U.S. Government actions: The United States does not have diplomatic relations
with Iran and is therefore unable to directly monitor the serious problems of
religious persecution that exist in the country.
In coordination with the
Swiss Embassy in Tehran, the United States worked to obtain the release of
Daniel Baumann, who was freed in March. Stuart Timm was released in February.
In 1996 the U.S. Government
publicly condemned Iran’s persecution of Christians, Baha’is, and other
religious minorities on a number of occasions at international fora, in policy
statements, and through radio broadcasts.
At the UNHRC, the UNGA, and
the International Labor Organization, the United States strongly supported
resolutions condemning human rights violations in Iran, including the
persecution of Christians. The United States also called for extending the
mandates of the U.N. Special Representative for Iran, the U.N. Special
Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, and the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom
of Opinion and Expression, each of whom visited Iran in 1995 to ascertain
details about conditions there. The U.N. Special Representative on Iran is
awaiting an invitation from the Government and has been unable to visit the
country.
The State Department
spokesman has issued statements on the mistreatment of Baha’is and Christians
in Iran and several Voice of America editorials have focused on this problem.
Current situation: The provisional constitution of 1968 states that “Islam is the
religion of the State,” but the Government of Iraq severely limits freedom of
religion. Ethnic and religious communities, including the majority Shi’a
population and the Kurds in northern Iraq, not associated with the ruling
clique have suffered massive repression for decades.
The U.N. Special Rapporteur
on Iraq and others report that the Iraqi Government has engaged in various
abuses against the country’s 350,000 Assyrian Christians. Most Assyrians
traditionally live in the northern governorates, and the Government often has
suspected them of “collaborating” with Kurds. Assyrians are an ethnic group as
well as a Christian community. They speak a distinct language--Syriac--which is
banned de facto in public. The U.N. Special Rapporteur reported continued
discrimination and persecution against Assyrians throughout 1996. Other sources
also report that the Government continued in 1996 to harass and kill Assyrian
Christians throughout the country, using forced relocations, terror, and
artillery bombardments.
U.S. Government actions: The United States does not have diplomatic relations
with Iraq and thus does not have bilateral channels in which to raise human
rights issues. However, the United States has vigorously led the international
community’s condemnation of human rights violations in Iraq. At the UNGA, the
U.S. led successful efforts to adopt a resolution condemning Iraq’s human
rights record. The U.S. Government has also strongly supported the U.N. Special
Rapporteur on Iraq and assisted his staff in their interviews of refugees from
northern Iraq, including Assyrian Christians, who were in Guam awaiting
resettlement in the United States.
Current situation: The law provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects
this right. The Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities each have legal
authority over their members in matters of marriage and divorce, although
Christians have the choice of religious or civil courts in some matters. In
civic areas where religion is a determining criterion, such as the religious
courts and centers of education, non-Jewish institutions receive less state
support than their Jewish counterparts.
The status of a number of
Christian organizations with representation in Israel has heretofore been
defined by a collection of ad hoc arrangements with various government
agencies. Several of these organizations are negotiating with the Government in
an attempt to formalize their status. Attempts to establish meaningful
negotiations are ongoing.
Missionaries are allowed to
proselytize, although Mormons are specifically prohibited from doing so by
mutual agreement between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and
the Government. A 1977 anti-proselytizing law prohibits anyone from offering or
receiving material benefits as an inducement to conversion.
In the spring of 1997, a
private member’s bill was introduced in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) to
restrict proselytizing, apparently in reaction to an evangelical Christian
group’s mass mailing of brochures to thousands of Israelis. If passed in its
current form, this bill would amend the current anti-proselytization law, and
prohibit the production, import, or dissemination of religious materials “in which
there is an inducement to religious conversion,” and would provide for
confiscation of the materials and one-year prison sentence.
Local civil rights activists
and legal scholars strongly oppose the bill, which they state contravenes
freedom of expression and freedom of religion provided for in Israel’s basic
laws. They note that the bill’s sweeping language theoretically could prohibit
even the ownership of a New Testament. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has
publicly stated his government’s opposition to the bill, which is still under
preliminary consideration in the Knesset.
The small community of
Jehovah’s Witnesses has faced harassment and occasional violent attacks by
private citizens opposed to religious prosyletization. On
Members of Jehovah’s
Witnesses have reported being followed, and have also reported death threats.
Police have occasionally evinced indifference to complaints, sometimes alleging
that members of Jehovah’s Witnesses proselytize without a permit (although
there is no requirement or provision under Israeli law for such a permit).
Police have warned that they would act to uphold the law if there was any
further interference with anyone’s right to worship.
U.S. Government actions: In March, after the attack on the Lod meeting hall,
the U.S. Embassy raised the issue of police protection for Jehovah’s Witnesses
with the head of the Foreign Liaison Division of the Israeli National Police.
The head of the division assured the Embassy that police patrols would be
stepped up while the facility was being rebuilt, and that the police had
already advised communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses to notify them of any
planned meetings so that adequate security could be provided. The Embassy
inquired whether the Lod police had made any arrests or had filed charges
against suspected perpetrators of the March 8 attack on the Lod meeting hall,
and was informed that individuals had been detained, questioned, and warned,
but that no charges had been brought. The Embassy emphasized that while
assurances of police protection in the future for Jehovah’s Witnesses were
welcome, since the identity of those involved in the March 8 attack was
apparently known, we expected active prosecution of those who had violated the
law.
Current situation: Jordan’s constitution designates Islam as the state religion, but also
prohibits discrimination based on religion and provides for “personal freedom.”
The Government does not interfere with public worship by Jordan’s Christian minority.
The Government does not
officially recognize Jehovah’s Witnesses, the United Pentecostal Church, the
Church of Christ, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but it
allows them to conduct their activities without interference. Other, more
established religious groups, which include Muslims, Roman Catholics, Greek
Orthodox, Baptists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Syriacs, and Armenian Orthodox,
require official government recognition in order to register property in the
name of the organization, but members may practice their religion without
government recognition. The law prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing.
Muslims who convert to other faiths report social and government
discrimination. In general, however, Christians do not suffer discrimination.
Christians hold cabinet and
other government positions and are represented in the media and academia in
numbers greater than their proportion in the overall population. Of the 80
seats in the lower house of Parliament, 9 are reserved for Christians.
Christian children in public
schools are not required to participate in Islamic religious instruction. The
Government announced in October 1996 a plan to teach Christianity as a religion
in Jordan’s public schools, but there has been no official announcement on when
the plan is to be implemented.
U.S. Government actions: The United States maintains an ongoing dialogue with
Jordan and provides assistance on human rights issues.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, and various denominations
worship without government interference. However, the constitution also
requires that the appointment by foreign religious centers of the heads of
religious associations must be carried out “in coordination with the Government,”
as must the activities of foreign religious associations. In practice the
Government does not interfere with the appointment of religious leaders.
Foreign missionaries have complained of harassment by low-level government
officials, but the extent of the problem is unknown. In 1996 the
government-controlled television complained about conversions to foreign
religions and proposed stopping missionaries from preaching “Christianity and
Krishna ideas on our soil.” However, no action has been taken against
missionaries.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of Kazakstan,
including respect for human rights.
Current situation: The
Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally
respects this right in practice. The Government requires new churches to
register. Government officials harshly criticized the Catholic Church, and the
National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) in 1996 for pastoral letters
calling for constitutional reform and fair elections. The Government also
accused the NCCK in 1996 of subversive activities and incitement of ethnic
clashes in the rift valley.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy and the State Department have continued to advocate a broad-based
democratic system with respect for human rights, including the free expression
of religious values.
Current situation: The North Korean Government continues to firmly discourage all
organized religious activity except that which serves the interests of the
State. As late as the early 1980’s, foreign visitors to North Korea were told
that there were no churches in the country. However, in recent years, the
regime has facilitated the formation of several government-sponsored religious
organizations. These serve as interlocutors with foreign church groups and
international aid organizations. Some foreigners who have met with
representatives of these organizations are convinced that they are sincere believers;
others claim that they appeared to know little about religious dogma, liturgy,
or teaching.
Three Christian churches--two
Protestant and one Catholic--have been opened since 1988 in Pyongyang. These
appear to be the only active Christian churches in the country. Many visitors
say that church activity appears staged. Foreign Christians who have attempted
to attend services at these churches without making prior arrangements with the
authorities report finding them locked and unattended, even on Easter Sunday.
There are reportedly no Catholic priests resident in the country to celebrate
mass and administer the sacraments.
The North Korean Government
claims that there are 10,000 Christians who worship in 500 “house churches,”
and that the Chondogyo Young Friends Party, a government-sponsored group based
on a native Korean religious movement, is still in existence. The authorities
have told foreign visitors that one Protestant seminary exists, accepting six
to nine pupils every three years.
U.S. Government actions: The United States does not maintain diplomatic
relations with North Korea, and thus can not formally intervene with the North
Korean Government regarding religious persecution. However, the U.S. Government
has publicly condemned religious persecution in North Korea at international
fora and in public statements.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion of Kuwait. The constitution states that Islamic law (or
Shari’a), is “a main source of legislation.” The constitution provides for
freedom of religion, and there are several legally recognized expatriate
congregations and churches, including a Catholic diocese and several Protestant
churches. The Government prohibits missionaries from proselytizing among
Muslims; however, they may serve expatriate congregations. The law prohibits
religious education for religions other than Islam, although this law does not
appear to be rigidly enforced.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Ambassador and his staff closely monitor freedom of religion in Kuwait and
raise U.S. concerns with the Kuwaiti Government. The U.S. Government made a
significant effort in the case of Qambar “Robert” Hussein, a Kuwaiti citizen
who converted to Christianity and in May 1996 was found by a Kuwaiti court to
be an “apostate.” Robert Hussein was a Shi’a Muslim before his conversion. A
group of private Kuwaiti citizens brought Hussein before a Shi’a family law
court, challenging his inheritance and child custody rights. The Government of
Kuwait did not incarcerate Hussein or press charges against him. The family law
court denied Hussein any rights on the two issues of child custody and
inheritance, and the presiding judge, in handing down his decision, referred to
a traditional Koranic law that states that “the Imam should kill the Muslim who
commits apostasy.” Although that comment was not part of the formal sentence,
it had the potential to incite others to harm Hussein.
The U.S. Ambassador discussed
Hussein’s welfare with senior Kuwaiti officials, members of Parliament, and
influential figures in Kuwaiti society. He urged the Government of Kuwait to
affirm publicly that Hussein’s civil rights and his safety would be protected.
Subsequently, an official Kuwaiti statement that Hussein’s rights and person
are protected under law appeared in the Kuwaiti press. The Kuwaiti Government’s
legal adviser was quoted in the press as saying that “the Government guarantees
his (Robert Hussein’s) personal safety and his right to live.”
Robert Hussein received a
nonimmigrant visa from our Embassy in Kuwait and traveled to the United States
in August 1996. He reportedly returned to Kuwait in January 1997, and press
reports indicate that he converted back to Islam after his return.
Current situation: All
religious organizations must register with the State Commission on Religious
Affairs. Groups wishing to own property must register with the Justice
Ministry. The constitution provides for freedom of religion but the Government
does not always protect this right in practice. A Baptist congregation in Naryn
oblast, an ethnic Kyrgyz area, has been denied registration and harassed by
police. Ethnic groups that are traditionally Christian can practice their
religion without interference, but the conversion of ethnic Kyrgyz from Islam
to Christianity remains controversial.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has urged senior Kyrgyz officials to stop the harassment of the
Baptists in Naryn.
Current situation: Although the Laotian constitution contains provisions for religious
freedom, in practice, the Government continues to restrict freedom of religion,
especially for some Christian denominations. Buddhists are the dominant
majority among religious adherents.
Links with co-religionists
and religious associations in other countries require government approval.
Although the Government permits foreign non-governmental organizations with
religious affiliations to work in the country, it prohibits foreigners from
proselytizing. The Government also restricts the import of foreign religious
publications and artifacts.
The enforcement of these
regulations varies by province. For example, the Catholic Church is unable to
operate in the highlands and much of the north, but Catholics can openly attend
churches and chapels in central and southern Laos. Several Protestant
denominations operate more than 100 churches throughout the country. There
continued to be credible reports during 1996 that local authorities detained
some clergy for allegedly criticizing other religions and harassed, arrested,
and jailed other religiously active clergy. The persistence of such reports
underscores the continuing suspicion on the part of authorities toward some
parts of the Lao Christian community, and authorities’ suspicion that the Lao
Christian community may be associated with “foreign influences.” There were
also unconfirmed reports that Lao Christians were sometimes barred from the
People’s Revolutionary Party or from government employment. By comparison, the
Government openly encourages Buddhism and supports Buddhist organizations.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy has raised the issue of religious
freedom with the Government of Laos in the overall context of the protection of
human rights. The Embassy maintains a dialogue with the Government on a wide
range of human rights issues, including religious freedom.
Current situation: The
Constitutional Law provides for freedom of religion, and the Government
generally respects this right in practice. Although the Government does not
require the registration of religious groups, the 1995 Law on Religious
Organizations specifies that religious organizations can enjoy certain rights
and privileges only if they register. Under this law, the Justice Ministry has
registered over 800 religious congregations, including Mormons, whose previous
lack of official registration had created difficulties in obtaining visas and
residence status. The only group denied registration was Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Foreign evangelists and
missionaries are permitted to hold meetings and proselytize, but the law
stipulates that only religious organizations in Latvia may invite them to carry
out such activities. After the widely reported death of a member of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, whose religious beliefs affected her choice of medical treatment,
President Guntis Ulmanis sent a letter to the Saeima (parliament) asking
lawmakers to specify the rights and responsibilities of unregistered religious
organizations. He also suggested that the Saeima supplement the Criminal Code
“with norms about inflicting physical or psychological damage on a person and
about threatening a person’s legal rights as a result of activities by a
religious organization.” The Saeima Human Rights and Legal Committees
subsequently began considering a draft amendment to the Administrative Code
that would have prescribed fines for undefined “activities” by unregistered
religious organizations. The National Human Rights Office and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs pointed out that the provisions would violate international
obligations in the area of religious freedom. The Saeima took no final action
on this matter.
In July 1996, the Saeima
adopted amendments to the Law on Religious Organizations, one of which reduced
the number of persons necessary to seek registration of a religious group from
a minimum of 25 citizens to 10 persons residing permanently in Latvia. Another
amendment stipulated that religious education may be provided to students in
public schools on a voluntary basis only by representatives of Evangelical
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Old Believer, Baptist, and Orthodox religious
organizations. Students at state-supported national minority schools may also
receive education in the religion “characteristic of the national minority.”
Other denominations may provide religious education, but may not do so in
state-funded schools.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has actively supported the efforts of Mormons and other U.S.
missionaries to obtain Latvian residency permits. These efforts have produced
positive results, as most missionaries have resolved their visa problems with
Latvia’s Citizen and Immigration Department.
The U.S. Embassy has also
facilitated meetings between senior Latvian Government officials and
representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Meetings held in October 1996 in the
aftermath of the death of a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses enabled
representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses to present their case directly to the
appropriate officials of the Latvian Government. They also provided the U.S.
Government with another opportunity to express its strong views about freedom
of religion, opposition to discriminatory measures against Jehovah’s Witnesses,
and the important role of continuing dialogue in addressing respective
concerns.
U.S. Government officials
have used multilateral fora to express concerns about restrictions that apply
in Latvia to religious education by non-traditional religious groups, including
some Christian religious organizations, in public schools.
Current situation: The Lebanese constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the
Government respects this right in practice. However, discrimination based on
religion is built into the system of government. The President is by tradition
a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the
Chamber of Deputies a Shi’a Muslim. The Parliament consists of 128 deputies,
equally divided between Christian and Muslim representatives.
The amended Constitution of
1990 embraces the principle of abolishing religious affiliation as a criterion
for filling all government positions, but few practical steps have been taken
to accomplish this, with the exception of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),
which, through universal conscription and an emphasis on professionalism, has
significantly reduced religious sectarianism within its ranks.
The 1975-1990 civil war had
sectarian components, and Syrian and Israeli troops, as well as militias and
armed Palestinian factions, remain in control of parts of Lebanon.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy in Beirut works with all of
Lebanon’s 18 recognized religious factions or confessions and has supported the
development of a non-confessional LAF.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for religious freedom, and the Government usually
respects this provision in practice. The Law on Religious Communities and
Associations was passed in October 1995. It grants religious communities,
associations, and centers property rights to prayer houses, homes, and other
buildings, and permits construction necessary for their activities. Article 5
of this law mentions nine religious communities that have been declared
“traditional” by the law and therefore are eligible for governmental
assistance: Latin Rite Catholics, Greek Rite Catholics, Evangelical Lutherans,
Evangelical Reformers, Orthodox, Old Believers, Jews, Sunni Muslims, and
Karaites. There are no restrictions on the activities of other religious
communities.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy monitors the registration process for discrimination against
certain religious groups.
Current situation: Islam is the official religion. Religious minorities, which include
large Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Christian communities, generally are permitted
to worship freely but are subject to some restrictions. There continued to be
allegations that some state governments are slow in approving building permits
for non-Muslim places of worship or land for cemeteries for non-Muslims.
The Government discourages
the circulation of a popular Malay-language translation of the Bible. Some
states have laws prohibiting the use of Malay-language religious terms by
Christians, but the authorities do not actively enforce them.
The Government permits but
discourages conversion to religions other than Islam. Some states have long
proscribed by law proselytizing of Muslims, and other parts of the country
strongly discourage it as well. In a March 1990 decision, the Supreme Court
upheld the primacy of the constitution over inconsistent state laws by ruling
that parents have the right to determine the religion of their minor children
under the age of 18. The decision eased fears in the non-Muslim community over
state laws that in religious conversion cases set the age of majority at
puberty based on Islamic law.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy engages the Government of Malaysia
on a wide range of human rights issues and concerns, including the issue of
religious freedom.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion and all citizens are required to be Muslims. The practice of
any religion other than Islam is prohibited by law. However, foreign residents
are allowed to practice their religion if they do so privately. Conversion from
Islam may result in loss of citizenship, but this law has never been applied in
practice.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has diplomatic relations with Maldives but does not maintain an
Embassy in Male.
Current situation: Under its
1991 constitution, Mauritania is an Islamic republic, with Islam established as
the religion of the State and its people. The vast majority of citizens are
Sunni Muslims. The Government prohibits proselytizing by non-Muslims. Christian
churches exist in several cities for the benefit of the tiny Christian
community. Expatriate Christians and citizens of Christian birth practice their
religion freely. Authorities have on occasion detained and harassed individuals
who have passed on Christian religious materials to Muslim citizens.
Slavery has been officially
abolished in Mauritania three times, most recently in 1980. Nevertheless, there
are many individuals (including Christians, animists, and Muslims) who continue
to live in conditions of paid or unpaid servitude, and many persons still
consider themselves to be slaves.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy encourages and advocates a broad-based democratic system with
respect for human rights, including the free expression of religious values.
Current situation: The constitution provides for the right to practice the religion of
one’s choice, and the authorities generally respect this right in practice. The
Federal Government’s Office of Religious Affairs actively promotes religious
tolerance and held symposiums in July 1996 in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas
emphasizing the constitutional right of freedom of religion. However, local
authorities sometimes infringed on this right. In the highlands of Chiapas and
other indigenous areas, traditional leaders sometimes acquiesced in, or
actually ordered, the expulsion of Protestants belonging primarily to
evangelical groups. In many cases such expulsions involved the burning of homes
and crops, beatings, and, occasionally, killings.
In San Juan Chamula, Chiapas,
where local authorities have expelled an estimated 30,000 evangelicals over the
past 30 years, the evangelicals and the local authorities reached a truce in
December 1995. Since that time, there have been no further expulsions of
evangelicals from San Juan Chamula. The local authorities agreed that children
of the evangelicals would be allowed to return to public school, from which
they had been excluded for three years. However, in September 1996 the children
of evangelicals were once again excluded, and in retaliation, evangelical
groups occupied these schools. By October the situation for the most part had
been resolved, and by the end of 1996 the evangelicals’ children were attending
public school in all but one community, Arvenza II, where the parents chose to
keep their children at home.
In July 1996, the
evangelicals began constructing a temple in the community of Arvenza I.
Following protests by the local authorities, and in order to avoid a collapse
of the December 1995 truce, the evangelicals agreed to halt temporarily
construction of the temple. In September the traditional leadership in San Juan
Chamula forced the mayor to step down and replaced him with a new leader who
opposed construction of the temple. By the end of the year, however, temple
construction was allowed to resume.
Several members of
evangelical groups were jailed and fined in San Juan Yahe, Oaxaca. In addition,
reliable press reports noted continued expulsions of evangelicals by that
community because the evangelicals’ faith violated the “customs and traditional
practices” of the community.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy has reported on and intervened in
cases of religious discrimination and harassment, particularly in Chiapas. Over
the last two years, Embassy officials have intervened in the case of Father
Loren Riebe and two non-American priests who were expelled from Chiapas. Father
Riebe denies the charges against them, which include inciting indigenous
peasants to take over land, engaging in “political activities,” and being
associated with the Zapatista movement. The U.S. Ambassador raised the case
with the Secretary of Government (Interior), presidential Chief of Staff, and
the Archbishop of Mexico. In addition, Embassy officials and consular officers
held meetings with the Secretariat of Foreign Relations, the U.S. Bishops’
Conference, and the Papal Nuncio in Mexico concerning the case. The U.S.
Embassy in Rome has raised the case with the Vatican. In addition, U.S.
officials approached Mexico’s Immigration Commissioner to request a favorable
resolution to this case, including the granting of a visa for Father Riebe to
return to Mexico. The case was also brought to the Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights by Father Riebe. The U.S. Embassy has maintained regular contact
with Father Riebe and his supporters.
Current situation: The
Government generally permits the free practice of religion. A 1992 law on
religion codifies religious freedoms, although it contained restrictions that
could inhibit the activities of some religious groups. The law requires that
religious groups register with the Government in order to hire non-citizens,
and it also prohibits proselytizing.
Some Protestant denominations
are concerned that the prohibition on proselytizing could inhibit their
activities, although many denominations hold revival meetings apparently
without official interference. To date, the authorities have taken no legal
action against individuals for proselytizing. The Salvation Army, however, was
unable to register as a religious denomination because it did not meet the
requirement of having a Moldovan citizen as the organization’s legal head.
However, it continues to operate.
Although Eastern Orthodoxy is
not designated the official religion, it continues to be a strong religious
force and exert significant influence. In 1992 a number of priests broke away
from the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow
Patriarchate, in order to form the Bessarabian Orthodox Church. The Bessarabian
Orthodox Church, which sees itself as the legal and canonical successor to the
pre-World War II Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia (the part of Moldova
between the Dniester and Prut rivers), subordinated itself to the Bucharest
Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Government has consistently
refused to register the Bessarabian Church, citing unresolved property claims
as the principal reason.
U.S. Government actions: U.S.
Government officials have not raised the issue of religious freedom with the
Moldovan Government because of the lack of complaints about curtailment of
religious activity. The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor the human rights
situation, including religious freedom.
Current situation: Islam is
the official religion. Although the constitution provides for freedom of
worship, only Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are tolerated in practice.
Members of the Christian community, which consists mostly of foreigners, are
allowed to practice their faith.
Islamic law and tradition
call for strict punishment of any Muslim who converts to another faith, and any
attempt to induce a Muslim to convert is illegal. Ordinarily, foreign
missionaries either limit their proselytizing to non-Muslims or conduct their
work quietly.
In 1995, at least seven
Moroccans were arrested, and in some cases sentenced to jail terms, for
offenses related to their Christianity. In addition, a Salvadoran man and an
American family were deported for evangelistic activities.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States maintains an ongoing dialogue with Morocco and provides
assistance on human rights issues.
Current situation: The
constitution describes Nepal as a Hindu kingdom but permits the practice of all
religions. This right is respected in practice, although conversion and
proselytizing are prohibited. Foreigners convicted of proselytizing can be
expelled from the country. In 1995, 11 Christians were convicted of
proselytizing and were sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment. They were pardoned
by the King and released unconditionally 2 months later.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of Nepal,
including respect for human rights.
Current situation: The
Nicaraguan constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government
respects this right in practice.
There were credible reports
of instances of harassment of church officials, particularly in Managua, Leon,
and Masaya. Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo and other church officials reported
receiving anonymous telephone threats. Sporadic bombings of Catholic churches
occurred during 1996, involving small explosive devices that caused minor
damage to structures, but no casualties. Church officials believe that the
harassment and attacks are the work of extremists who seek to intimidate the
Church and halt its human rights and civic education and training campaigns.
There have been no bombings since August 1996. In November 1996 a criminal
court in Leon convicted 12 men for a number of the bombings and sentenced them
to between 3 and 15 years in prison. Following the convictions, Sandinista
National Liberation Front assembly deputies unsuccessfully tried to pass
legislation pardoning the 12 persons.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy has discussed cases of religious harassment, particularly in
Managua, Leon, and Masaya, with Nicaraguan Government officials. A team of U.S.
experts traveled to Nicaragua to train the police in investigative techniques
for bombing incidents. The U.S. Ambassador and his staff have traveled
throughout Nicaragua to meet with leaders of the various religious traditions.
Religious persecution is addressed in the overall context of the promotion of
human rights through regular contact with government officials, religious
leaders, NGO representatives, and other interested groups and individuals.
Current situation: The
Government generally respects freedom of religious belief, practice, and
education, while taking measures to lessen the prospects for religious tension.
State and local governments are prohibited from adopting a state religion. A
1987 ban on religious organizations in primary schools remains in effect,
although individual students retain the right to practice their religion in
recognized places of worship. Distribution of religious publications is
generally unrestricted, although there is a lightly enforced ban on published
religious advertisements, and religious programming remains closely controlled
on television and radio. The Government discourages proselytizing, while not
outlawing the practice. The Government bans open-air religious services away
from places of worship. Christian and Muslim organizations accuse the
government of restricting the entry of certain religious practitioners,
particularly persons suspected of proselytizing.
In Kwara state in March 1996,
state authorities ordered the closing of Christian schools that refused to
teach Islamic studies. These schools supposedly had reacted to Islamic schools
that were not required to teach Christian studies. After the transfer of the
military administrator for the state, the schools were reopened. Also in Kwara
state, in March 1997, soldiers beat and whipped members of the Christian
Association of Nigeria during their annual Palm Sunday procession in Ilorin. An
army captain had parked his car along the route, blocking the procession, and
when asked to move it, the captain enlisted several soldiers stationed nearby
to attack the procession. Several of the Christian Association members were
detained for 2 days.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy encourages and advocates a broad-based democratic system with
respect for human rights, including the free expression of religious values.
Through many means (State Department press releases, testimony at hearings,
public statements, Voice of America editorials, embassy demarches, visa
restrictions and other sanctions, etc.) the U.S. Government has made clear U.S.
opposition to the present regime’s oppressive human rights policies.
Current situation: Pakistan’s constitution establishes Islam as the state religion. Since
1986, Section 295(c) of the Penal Code has stipulated the death penalty for
blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed. According to the Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan, police opened one case against a Christian, Ayub Masih, under Section
295(c) in 1996. This blasphemy provision contributes to inter-religious
tension, intimidation, fear, and violence.
The Government permits
Muslims to convert to other faiths, but proselytizing among Muslims is illegal.
Islamic extremists have assaulted, raped, and even murdered members of
religious minorities. In many cases, police fail to take necessary precautions
or investigate or prosecute those responsible.
This failure has contributed
to a feeling of insecurity in many minority religious communities. In October
1996, in one well-publicized case, 14 (some say 19) Christian families fled the
Punjab village Number 35 Eb Arfiwala following the arrest of one member of
their community for alleged blasphemy. The families reportedly feared attack by
Muslim neighbors angered by the alleged incident. By December, the families had
not returned to their homes in the village.
In February 1997, Muslim mobs
destroyed homes and churches belonging to Christians in the Khanewal area.
Local police failed to take adequate steps to control the mobs and thousands of
people were rendered homeless. Following the attack, Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif and other officials visited the affected area, promised reparations for
the victims, and publicly voiced support for minority rights.
Discriminatory religious
legislation has led to acts of violence directed at Ahmadis, Christians,
Hindus, and Zakris. Although the constitution prohibits discrimination in
government employment, religious minorities are reportedly underrepresented at
all levels of government service, especially in the senior ranks.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Government has repeatedly urged Pakistan to
repeal the blasphemy law. The issue has been raised with Pakistani officials on
several occasions in recent years. Although Pakistan has responded by adopting
administrative procedures to soften the effect of the law, the problem remains
a matter of concern and the U.S. Government continues to press the issue. The
U.S. Government has also expressed concern to the Pakistani Prime Minister and
other officials over the February 1997 Khanewal riot, and urged equal legal
protection for religious minorities.
U.S. Embassy and Consulate
officials monitor individual cases of persecution and intervene with Pakistani
government agencies when appropriate. In addition, U.S. Embassy officers meet
regularly with leaders of religious communities, including Christians.
Current situation: The constitution
provides for freedom of religion, and the government respects this right in
practice. Although the constitution establishes the separation of church and
state, it does recognize Roman Catholicism as “an important element” in the
historical, cultural, and moral development of the nation. Conversion to other
religions is respected, and missionaries are allowed to enter the country and
proselytize.
The Sendero Luminoso (SL) and
Movimiento Revolucionario Tupac Amaru (MRTA) terrorist factions reject the
concept of religious faith, and continue to threaten and intimidate religious
workers. During a period of some years prior to 1996, these terrorist groups
particularly targeted North American officials of the Mormon Church: 24 Mormon
Church houses were bombed; several Mormon Church administrators of food
programs in Huancayo were murdered; and a number of officials at the Mormon
Church regional headquarters in Lima were subjected to extortion, threatened
with death unless they handed over large amounts of money.
According to the Mormon
Church, its North American officials were not similarly targeted or victimized
in 1996. Church officials believe this is due both to the fact that SL has
geographically downsized its area of operations and to the fact that the Church
no longer sends its North American missionaries into the highlands and upper
Huallaga valley where the SL is most active.
U.S. Government actions: Both
U.S. Embassy and State Department officials met with leaders of the Mormon
Church on a number of occasions to discuss the targeting of Mormons by
terrorist groups. The Embassy raised the matter with Peruvian government
officials and encouraged them to do whatever they could to address the problem
through their own contacts in the areas where harassment, threats, and bombings
occurred. The Embassy also facilitated talks between Mormon leaders and
Peruvian officials. The United States has supported the Peruvian Government’s
long-standing campaign to eliminate the terrorist threat in Peru, and U.S. Embassy
officials have stressed the importance of ensuring that human rights are
protected.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for religious freedom, and the Government does not
generally impede the observance of religious belief. However, members of some
groups, such as Baptists and Greek Catholics, who proselytize in traditionally
Orthodox regions, have faced harassment and even violence. Several Protestant
denominations, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, made credible allegations that low-level
government officials harassed them and impeded their efforts to proselytize and
worship. In particular, foreign missionaries often experienced delays in
obtaining long-term visas. An international conference of Jehovah’s Witnesses
scheduled for June 1996 in Bucharest was banned by the Government following
public attacks by the Romanian Orthodox Church; a national conference later
took place without incident in Cluj.
Under the provisions of a
1948 decree, the Government recognizes 15 religions, whose clergy may receive
state financial support. (The Romanian Orthodox Church predominates.) The State
Secretariat for Religious Affairs has licensed 385 other faiths, organizations,
and foundations as religious associations under two 1924 laws on juridical entities,
entitling them to juridical status as well as to exemptions from income and
customs taxes, but not recognizing them as religions. As a result, these
religious associations may not found churches and are not permitted to perform
rites of baptism, marriage, or burial. The official registration of faiths and
organizations is extremely slow because of bureaucratic delays.
U.S. Government actions: U.S.
Embassy officials meet with representatives of Christian groups that have
experienced difficulties in Romania to discuss their concerns about religious
freedom. U.S. officials also meet with Romanian Government officials to discuss
these matters. The U.S. Embassy expressed concern to the Romanian Government
about its decision to ban the conference of Jehovah’s Witnesses initially
scheduled for June 1996, and assumed a very active role in winning approval for
a subsequently scheduled conference. The U.S. Embassy has strongly supported
the efforts of U.S. missionaries to obtain proper Romanian visas.
Current situation: Russia’s new constitution and a 1990 Soviet law on religion still in
force provide for religious freedom and a strict separation of church and
state. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the overall climate for religious
freedom in Russia has improved dramatically, and made possible a large increase
in the activities of foreign missionaries. This has troubled some sectors of
Russian society, particularly nationalists and factions of the Russian Orthodox
Church. During 1996 and 1997, the Russian Orthodox Church used its political
influence to promote official actions that discriminate against religious
groups and sects.
Most notably, the Duma and
Federation Council recently passed legislation which, if enacted, would replace
the 1990 law and introduce significantly more government regulation over
religious organizations. While the law is not directed against Russia’s
established major faiths (Orthodoxy, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism), it would
impose registration requirements on religious groups, provide significant
official discretion in decisions on registration, and would restrict the
activities of foreign missionaries, as well as confessions, sects or religions,
that are relatively new to Russia or that have relatively small numbers of
adherents. These groups would have to wait up to 15 years before attaining full
legal status, making it impossible for them to own property or have a bank
account during this period. The draft legislation enjoys broad public support,
but will not become law unless and until President Yeltsin signs it. (President
Yeltsin previously rejected a similar proposal as unconstitutional.)
Some regional officials also
have sought at times to limit the activities of foreign missionaries, many of
whom are Christians. About one-fourth of Russia’s 89 regional governments have
passed restrictive laws and decrees that violate the 1990 law on religion by
limiting or restricting the activities of religious groups, or by requiring
registration. Enforcement is uneven, but there are reports that local
governments have prevented religious gatherings. As a result, denominations
that do not have their own property were denied the opportunity to practice
their faith in large groups or to hold prayer meetings. In 1996 the Constitutional
Court refused to consider a challenge to the constitutionality of one such law
on procedural grounds.
There have been numerous
instances in which local authorities have refused to register the passports (a
requirement under Russia’s visa laws) of foreign missionaries, effectively
denying them the ability to function in some regions. Non-Orthodox faiths,
including the Catholic Church, have also had difficulties recovering properties
that were confiscated during the Soviet era, although some progress was made in
1996.
U.S. Government actions: The United States has acted consistently to encourage
Russia to fulfill completely its constitution and pledges of religious
tolerance. In June 1997, President Clinton expressed concern to President Boris
Yeltsin about the restrictive law on religion then pending in the Duma.
Assistant Secretary of State Shattuck also voiced concern about the draft law
and local restrictions on religious freedom to his Russian counterpart during
bilateral consultations on human rights in May. President Clinton expressed
concern about Aleksandr Lebed’s inflammatory statements on missionary
activities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he met with
Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin at the G-7 Summit in Lyon in June 1996. Vice
President Gore reiterated those U.S. concerns the following month at a session
of the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow
and U.S. consulates have also been active in emphasizing the importance of
freedom of conscience and religion. U.S. officials have voiced concern about
initiatives by local and provincial governments to restrict the activities of
missionary groups, and urged parliamentary deputies considering the new draft
law on religion to uphold the principles of tolerance and separation of church
and state embodied in the constitution and in the 1990 law.
The Embassy has frequently
objected to attempts by the Russian authorities to administer visa regulations
in a manner that restricts the freedom of movement of U.S. citizens, including
missionaries, inside Russia.
Current situation: Freedom of religion does not exist in Saudi Arabia. Islam is the
official religion, and all citizens must be Muslims. The Government of Saudi
Arabia believes that it has a unique position as guardian of the two holiest
shrines of Islam, so it prohibits the public and private practice of other
religions. Persons wearing religious symbols risk confrontation with the
Mutawwa’in (religious police). The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh reports that both
citizens and foreigners are targets of harassment by members of the Mutawwa’in
and by religious vigilantes acting independently. Non-Muslim worshipers risk
arrest, lashing, and deportation for engaging in any religious activity that
attracts official attention. There are isolated reports of harassment and
arrest of foreign workers conducting clandestine worship services, but precise
numbers of such incidents can not be determined. However, most non-Muslim
religious services are conducted without any interference.
U.S. Government actions: The United States has repeatedly raised human rights
concerns with the Saudi Arabian Government. The U.S. Ambassador and other
embassy officers have recently raised the issue of religious freedom with high
government officials.
The U.S. Government regularly
protests incidents in which U.S. citizens are improperly accosted by the
Mutawwa’in. In 1996 the U.S. Consul General in Jeddah called on the governor of
Medina region, and pressed him to curtail Mutawwa’in harassment in the region.
The Consul General also discussed this issue with American community leaders,
the Director of the Royal Commission in Yanbu, the chief of investment
promotion, the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mutawwa’in officials. The U.S.
Government strongly protested an incident in late 1993, in which Mutawwa’in
violently broke up a children’s winter concert at the Yanbu International
School. Soon after, the Saudi Arabian Government formally notified the U.S.
Government that it neither approved nor agreed with such behavior by members of
the Mutawwa’n, and that necessary measures had been taken to ensure that there
would be no repetitions.
Privately-run religious
services, attended by both U.S. Government employees and private Americans, are
held regularly on the grounds of at least one U.S. diplomatic facility in Saudi
Arabia. In instances where religious services are not presently held at U.S.
diplomatic facilities, religious services take place at other locations
locally.
Current situation: There is
no state religion, but the Government gives preferential treatment, including
access to state-run television for major religious events, to the Serbian
Orthodox Church to which the majority of Serbs belong. Religion and ethnicity
are so closely intertwined as to be inseparable. All of Serbia’s
religious/ethnic minorities face serious discrimination and harassment,
including the Catholic minority in Vojvodina, largely made up of ethnic
Hungarians and Croats.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government has repeatedly urged the Government of Serbia to respect the
human rights of its citizens, and contribute to a settlement of the Bosnian
conflict that ensures that human rights are respected, including religious
freedom.
Current situation: All religious groups are subject to government scrutiny and must be
legally registered. The Government restricts some religious groups and has
banned others, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church. The 1990
Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act made illegal what the Government deems to
be the inappropriate involvement of religious groups and officials in political
affairs. The act also prohibits judicial review of any possible denial of
rights arising from the act, and it specifically denies judicial review of its
enforcement. Missionaries are permitted to work and to publish religious texts.
The Government banned
Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1972 on the grounds that the group opposes military
service, and its roughly 2,000 members refuse to perform military service,
salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the State. In July 1996, a
72-year-old woman was arrested and convicted for possession of banned Jehovah’s
Witness literature. She was sentenced to a $500 fine. She refused to pay and
was ordered to jail for 7 days. She was first arrested in February 1995, along
with 69 other suspected Jehovah’s Witnesses, at which time the police seized
books, magazines, periodicals, and other materials believed to be related to
the group. Of the 69 persons arrested, 28 were tried and found guilty of
holding a meeting of a “banned society” and were fined between $500 and $2,000.
U.S. Government actions: The U.S. Embassy has discussed religious freedom with
the Government of Singapore in the overall context of the protection of human
rights. The Embassy maintains a dialogue with the Government on a wide range of
human rights issues, including religious freedom, and raised its concern in
1996 about the arrest of the 72-year-old woman.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religious belief and faith, and the
Government respects this provision in practice. Under existing law, only
registered churches and religious organizations have the explicit right to
conduct public worship services and other activities, although no specific
religions or practices are banned or discouraged by the authorities. The State
provides financial subsidies only to registered churches and religious
organizations, of which there are 15.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy monitors the registration process for discrimination against
certain religious groups.
Current situation: In the
absence of a recognized national government, religious freedom has become a matter
of local custom and practice. Nearly all Somalis are Sunni Muslims. Local
tradition and past law make proselytizing a crime for any religion except
Islam. Some local administrations have made Islam the official religion, and
adopted Islamic (Shari’a) judicial systems. The Sunni majority often views
non-Muslims with suspicion, and there is strong pressure to respect Muslim
traditions in fundamentalist enclaves. There is a small Christian community
that maintains a low profile; Christian international relief organizations
generally operate without interference.
U.S. Government actions: In
the absence of any organized government with which to engage, the U.S.
Government focuses its efforts on effecting a reconciliation of the various
warring parties in Somalia, and the reconstruction of democratic institutions
on a national basis.
Current situation: Buddhism
is the official national religion. However, the Constitution provides for
freedom of religion, and this right is respected in practice. There is a
thriving Christian community with more than a million members, mostly Roman
Catholics. Foreign clergy are allowed to enter and work in Sri Lanka but the
Government prohibits the entry of new Jesuits (foreign Jesuits already in the
country are permitted to remain). Evangelical Christians have reported that
their proselytizing efforts often meet with hostility and harassment from local
Buddhist clergy.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of Sri Lanka,
including respect for human rights.
Current situation: Although
the military regime in Sudan has stated that all religions should be respected,
in practice the Sudanese Government treats Islam as the de facto state
religion. Forced conversion to Islam of Christians, animists, and other
non-Muslims takes place as part of government policy. The 14-year-old civil war
between the mainly Islamic north and the largely animist and Christian south
has claimed more than a million lives. In war zones, government efforts to
restrict religious freedom are particularly heavy-handed--churches are closed
or permission to build them is denied, clergy are harassed, and members of
indigenous faiths are persecuted. There are reports that many Christians are
victims of slave raids and forced conversion, and that some Christian children
have been forced into reeducation camps where they are given Arab names and
raised as Muslims.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has been at the forefront of efforts to highlight and seek
rectification of continuing systematic human rights abuses, including religious
persecution. At the 1997 UNHRC, the United States led efforts to adopt a
resolution strongly condemning Sudan’s human rights record, including religious
persecution and forced conversion of Christians and animists. In 1996 the U.S.
Government led efforts to pass tough resolutions at the UNHRC and the UNGA to
condemn Sudan for human rights abuses and to urge redress.
At the UNHRC, the U.S.
delegation helped secure from the Sudanese Government an invitation to visit
the country for the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Sudan, whom the
Government had barred from visiting for two years. In his February 1996 report,
the Rapporteur concluded that people of all faiths “are equally exposed to
violations and abuses” stemming from the civil war. The Rapporteur’s report
cited the “severe religious persecution of Christians” in government-controlled
major towns, especially Kadugli and Dilling. To stem these abuses the U.S.
Government continues to play a leading role in efforts to obtain a negotiated
settlement of the civil war.
In 1996 the U.S. Ambassador
expressed U.S. concerns about religious freedom, including reports of the
persecution of Christians, to Sudanese officials, including the Minister of
Justice and the Rapporteur of Sudan’s Advisory Council on Human Rights. The
Ambassador also traveled to Juba, a city in southern Sudan and a garrison town
of the Government. He met with a large group of southern clergy--Muslims,
Anglican bishops, and Catholics, and with Governor Agnes Lokudu, a practicing
Christian Dinka woman and government official who has strong influence in the
region. The U.S. Government has received reports attesting to persecution of
Christians, as well as reports from Lokudu asserting that Christians are not
persecuted in areas under her jurisdiction.
The United States suspended
its resident diplomatic presence in Sudan in February 1996. Infrequent visits
to Sudan by the Ambassador and the absence of a reporting staff limit the
ability of the U.S. Government to identify emergent human rights situations.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally
respects this right in practice. All religions and sects must register with the
Government, which monitors fundraising and requires permits for all meetings by
religious groups, except for worship. Credible observers report that churches,
as well as mosques and synagogues, are closely controlled by the Government,
including monitoring of sermons and worship services. There is no law
prohibiting proselytization, but the Government discourages such activity.
There is mandatory religious instruction in schools, with government-approved
teachers and curriculum. Although there is a significant amount of religious
tolerance, religion or ethnic affiliation can be contributing factors in
determining career opportunities.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Government has urged Syria to cease its domestic repression, to improve
its human rights practices, and to grant citizens basic human rights.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion, but the Government permits the practice of other religions
and there are harmonious relations among the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
communities. The Christian community, estimated at about 2,000, is composed
mainly of foreigners. It freely holds church services and operates a small
number of schools. In a gesture toward tolerance and ecumenism, Tunisia hosted
a visit by the Pope in April 1996.
The Government views
proselytizing as an act against “public order.” Authorities ask foreigners
suspected of proselytizing to depart the country and do not permit them to
return. There were no reported arrests for proselytizing within the last 5
years, although in 1994 the authorities did not renew the residency permits of
some foreigners suspected of proselytizing.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has raised the issue of religious freedom with the Government of
Tunisia, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with Tunisia on human rights issues.
Current situation: The
constitution establishes Turkey as a secular state and provides for freedom of
belief, freedom of worship, and private dissemination of religious ideas. The
Government generally observes these provisions in practice. About 99 percent of
the population are Muslim. Under the law, religious services may take place
only in designated places of worship.
Although Turkey is a secular
state, religious instruction in state schools is compulsory for Muslims. Upon
written verification of their non-Muslim background, Lausanne Treaty minorities
(Greek, Armenian, and Jewish) are exempted by law from Muslim religious
instruction, although students who wish to attend may do so with parental
consent. Syriac Christians are not officially exempt because they are not an
official Lausanne Treaty minority. However, according to a church official,
because the community is mentioned in the Treaty, its members have not been
forced to follow any specific curriculum.
Many prosecutors regard
proselytizing and religious activism on the part of either Islamic extremists
or evangelical Christians with suspicion, especially when they deem such
activities to have political overtones. Since there is no law explicitly
prohibiting proselytizing, police sometimes arrest Islamic extremists and
evangelical Christians for disturbing the peace. Courts usually dismiss such
charges. If the proselytizers are foreigners, they may be deported, but
generally they are able to reenter the country easily.
Most religious minorities are
concentrated in Istanbul. The number of Christians in the south has been
declining as the younger Syriac generation leaves for Europe and North America.
Minority religions not recognized under the Lausanne Treaty may not acquire
additional property for churches. The Catholic Church in Ankara, for example,
is confined to diplomatic property. The State must approve the operation of
churches, monasteries, synagogues, schools, and charitable religious
foundations, such as hospitals and orphanages.
The Government formed in July
1996 has sought a more cooperative relationship with religious minorities,
particularly in Istanbul, according to prominent members of these communities.
The state ministry responsible for the religious minority communities gave the
Armenian Patriarchate permission to rebuild a church in Anatolia and informed
the Patriarchate that requests to restore some other properties would be approved
immediately. These requests have all been approved without delay.
The authorities monitor the
activities of Eastern Orthodox churches and their affiliated operations. The
Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul has consistently expressed interest in
reopening the seminary on the island of Halki in the Sea of Marmara. The
seminary has been closed since the 1970’s when the State nationalized most
private institutions of higher learning.
Bureaucratic procedures
relating to historic preservation impede repairs to some religious facilities.
Under the law, religious buildings that become “extinct” (because of prolonged
absence of clergy or lay persons to staff local religious councils or for lack
of adherents) revert to government possession. Some non-Muslim minorities,
particularly the Greek Orthodox and, to a lesser extent, the shrinking Armenian
Orthodox and Jewish communities, are faced with the danger of losing some of
their houses of worship.
During the past few years,
there have been instances of graffiti, stones tossed over the walls, and press
attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarch. In September 1996, a
hand grenade was thrown over the wall of the Ecumenical Patriarchate compound
in Istanbul causing minor damage. In December, a small pipe bomb exploded at
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Istanbul. The police responded promptly in
both cases and investigated the incidents. The Armenian Patriarchate also
reported incidents of harassment against Armenian churches in Istanbul, and
church officials complain of growing encroachment by certain Muslim extremist
groups on lands belonging to the Armenian community, especially on the Princes’
Islands in the Sea of Marmara. The police have responded with intensified
security measures.
Turkey is a party to the U.N.
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, but is not party to the related
Protocol. As a consequence, it has not extended its obligations concerning
refugees to cover those refugees who arrive from outside Europe. The Government
does not provide durable settlement solutions to non-European asylum seekers
and requires that they register with the authorities within 5 days of entering
the country. The Government screens these applicants to determine those that it
considers bona fide, and then refers them to the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) for settlement elsewhere. A negative decision usually leads to
immediate expulsion. Under this policy, Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers have
been turned back, many of whom claimed to be fleeing religious persecution in
their home countries due to their conversion to Christianity.
U.S. Government actions: U.S.
Embassy officers--as well as other U.S. Government officials who visit
Turkey--meet frequently with the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox faith,
the Armenian Patriarch, and other religious leaders to discuss their concerns
about religious liberty in Turkey. U.S. officials also meet with Turkish
government officials to discuss these matters. In March 1996, First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton, the U.S. Ambassador, and other U.S. officials convened
an ecumenical meeting of religious leaders in Turkey to address specific
concerns and promote greater tolerance among religious groups. The meeting was
lauded by all participants as an historic event.
The U.S. Government has
protested Turkey’s practice of turning back Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers.
On numerous occasions, U.S. officials have expressed serious concern to Turkish
government officials about inadequate opportunities for asylum applicants to
register with Turkish authorities. The United States has urged the Government
of Turkey to extend the registration period beyond the current 5-day limit, and
to permit applicants to register at facilities staffed by
professionally-trained officials in population centers. Turkish officials have
agreed to meet with UNHCR officials to discuss the handling of applications in
the future.
Current situation: The
citizenry is overwhelmingly Muslim, though organized Islam does not play a
prominent role in government or society. The constitution provides for freedom
of religion. Religious organizations are required to register with the
Government, but the Government has not denied registration to any group. There
is no law specifically addressing religious proselytizing. The Government
requires permission for any mass meetings for this purpose. Orthodox churches
operate without interference and offer a variety of religious literature.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of
Turkmenistan, including respect for human rights.
Current situation: The 1996
Constitution and the 1991 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religion provide for
separation of church and state and permit religious organizations to establish
places of worship and to train clergy. The Government respects these rights in
practice. However, the law restricts the activities of non-native religious
organizations. Religious organizations are required to register with local
authorities and with the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, a
process that generally takes about one month. There is no official state
religion.
A 1993 amendment to the 1991
law restricts the activities of non-native religious organizations. It requires
that members of the clergy, preachers, teachers, and other foreign citizen
representatives of foreign organizations preach, administer religious
ordinances, or practice other canonical activities “only in those religious
organizations which invited them to Ukraine and with official approval of the
governmental body that registered the statutes and the articles of the
pertinent religious organization.”
In addition, local officials
have occasionally impeded the activities of foreign religious workers. All
regional administrations have departments responsible for registration of
various denominations and religious groups, and for supervision of compliance
with the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religion. Neither the State Committee
on Religious Affairs, nor its regional departments have the authority to
de-register religious groups; they can be de-registered only by court decision.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy continues to monitor the human rights situation, including
religious freedom.
Current situation: Islam is
the official religion of all the emirates. Citizens are predominantly Sunni
Muslims. Non-Muslims are free to practice their religion but may not
proselytize publicly or distribute religious literature. Major cities have
Christian churches, some built on land donated by the ruling families. The
Government permits foreign clergy to minister to expatriate congregations.
Mrs. Mona Ghaleb, a United
Arab Emirates Muslim woman, has said that her husband, Elie Dib Ghaleb, a
Lebanese Christian, was jailed for marrying a Muslim. The Government states
that he was convicted for fornication that occurred prior to his wedding, not
on other charges. Mrs. Ghaleb denies this charge. Her husband remains in jail,
although his term was completed. He reportedly has been beaten in prison. His
sentence of 39 lashes has not been carried out, but remains under
consideration.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has an ongoing dialogue with the United Arab Emirates concerning
human rights. U.S. Government officials have raised the case of Elie Dib Ghaleb
at a high level with the U.A.E. Government, and will continue to follow the
case.
Current situation: The conflict in Northern Ireland between unionists, who are primarily
Protestant and want the province to remain part of the United Kingdom, and
nationalists, who are primarily Catholic and want Northern Ireland to become
part of the Republic of Ireland, continues, and inter-communal violence remains
a problem.
U.S. Government actions: In keeping with its commitment to help people of
different faiths find common ground, the United States seeks to contribute to a
peaceful resolution of this conflict. The U.S. Government has strongly
supported the multi-party talks, which began in June 1996 in Belfast under the
chairmanship of former Senator George Mitchell. Representatives of the
nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland are participating.
Since the inception of the
talks, the U.S. Government has attempted to move the process forward, and has
made clear to all participants its view that there can be no alternative to
this peace process.
Current situation: The
constitution provides for freedom of religion and the separation of religion
and state. Russian Orthodox and several other Christian denominations operate
freely. However, tensions arise when churches attempt to convert across ethnic
lines, particularly the conversion of Muslims to Christianity. Missionary
activity and proselytizing are illegal.
U.S. Government actions: The
U.S. Embassy discusses a wide range of issues with the Government of
Uzbekistan, including respect for human rights.
Current situation: Although the Vietnamese constitution and government decrees provide
for freedom of worship, the regime continues to restrict severely religious
activities that it defines as being at variance with state laws and policies.
The 1992 constitution provides for the “freedom of religious belief,” including
“the right to build buildings for religious use.” However, the same article
adds that “no one can use religion as a means to drag in foreign powers” or to
disrupt the social order. In practice, the regime permits organized religious
activity except that which it perceives as challenging the interests of the
State.
All religious organizations
are required to obtain government permission to hold training seminars and
conventions, to build or remodel places of worship, to engage in charitable
activities or operate religious schools, and to ordain, promote, or transfer
clergy. Religious groups continue to face difficulty in obtaining teaching
materials, expanding training facilities, and publishing religious materials.
There do not appear, however, to be significant constraints on the rights of
individuals to attend Government approved churches to worship, and Christian
holidays are publicly observed.
There are two Christian
denominations approved by the Government in Vietnam: the Catholic Church and
the Christian Missionary Alliance. The Christian Missionary Alliance of Vietnam
is the only government-approved Protestant organization in the country. The
Government places restrictions on proselytizing activity but church attendance
continues to grow. Arrests and government harassment of some ethnic Hmong
Protestants for proselytizing in northern Vietnamese villages has occurred from
time to time. Some Catholic priests and Buddhist monks remain in prison serving
sentences for preaching outside the Government approved church organizations.
The Government insists on the
right to approve Vatican appointments, and this issue remains under discussion.
The Government maintains restrictions on other activities of the Protestant and
Catholic churches including the right to assemble, speak, and teach.
In the past two years several
U.S. citizens have been charged and detained for disseminating religious
materials. In 1996, Mrs. Man Thi Jones, a U.S.-Vietnam dual national citizen,
was accused by local authorities in Phan Rang of distributing religious
materials without authorization and found guilty of “activities in Vietnam not
in accordance with the reason for her entry.” The alleged violation involved
administrative law and was not a criminal matter. Local authorities
interrogated Mrs. Jones on several occasions and threatened her with
imprisonment, although she was not arrested or incarcerated. Mrs. Jones was
fined 30 million dong (approximately $900). Her passport was held by the police
during the investigation.
U.S. Government actions: President Clinton’s decision to normalize relations
with Vietnam helped to facilitate and strengthen U.S. Government efforts to
expand the pursuit of human rights objectives in that country. The United
States has raised the issue of religious freedom with the Vietnamese Government
on numerous occasions. National Security Adviser Anthony Lake and Assistant
Secretary of State Winston Lord raised human rights issues, including freedom
of religion, when they visited Vietnam in July 1996. In March 1997, a State Department
delegation traveled to Hanoi to participate in the fifth bilateral human rights
dialogue. The issue of religious freedom, including persecution of Christians,
was mentioned repeatedly. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin raised human rights
throughout his visit to Vietnam in April 1997, as did Secretary Albright during
her July 1997 visit.
The U.S. Embassy frequently
discusses religious freedom issues with the Vietnamese Government. The State
Department has forwarded to the U.S. Embassy a list of Christians who allege
government persecution. The United States has expressed its deep concern about
these problems and has also urged the Vietnamese Government to establish a
dialogue with the country’s religious institutions in order to resolve some of
these issues. The U.S. Government is exploring ways to cooperate with other
like-minded governments on human rights in Vietnam, and also has followed
closely the Vatican’s efforts to resolve its differences with the Vietnamese
Government. The United States has asked the Government of Vietnam for a clear
explanation of its restrictions on normal religious activity--the right to
assemble, speak, and teach--by the Protestant and Catholic churches,
particularly since both churches are recognized by the Government.
The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi
actively followed the case of Mrs. Man Thi Jones met with Mrs. Jones,
Vietnamese authorities in Hanoi, and the provincial authorities in Phan Rang as
soon as the Embassy became aware of the case. A consular officer traveled twice
to the village where she was being interrogated. The U.S. Charge raised this
case with senior Vietnamese officials, stating that this case raises serious
questions regarding protection of religious freedom in Vietnam and emphasizing
that both the restriction on Mrs. Jones and the fine imposed were unreasonable.
He urged that Mrs. Jones’s fine be waived and her money returned. He also said
that Mrs. Jones’s case underscored U.S. concerns about mistreatment of leaders
of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and restrictions on the Protestant
and Catholic churches.
The U.S. Embassy sent three
diplomatic notes to the Vietnamese Government requesting information on Mrs.
Jones’s situation. Mrs. Jones appealed the decision and requested a reduction
in the fine. However, the fine, as initially imposed, was paid. Mrs. Jones’s
appeal stands and can be considered even though she departed Vietnam in
December 1996. The U.S. Government has urged the Vietnamese Government to
refund Mrs. Jones’s money.
Current situation: Islam is
the state religion, and there are restrictions on the practice of other
religions. Virtually all citizens are Muslims. Most Christians are foreign
residents, except for a few families of Indian origin in Aden. There are
several churches in Aden, which hold regular services, but no non-Muslim public
places of worship in the former North Yemen. Church services are, however,
regularly held there without harassment in private homes or facilities such as
schools.
Christian clergy who minister
to the foreign community are employed in teaching, social services, and health
care. A hospital in Jibla operated by the Baptist Church has, in the past,
experienced occasional threats and harassment from local Islamic extremists who
feared that the hospital might be used to spread Christianity. Since an August
1995 incident of mob violence at the hospital, which was eventually controlled
by the authorities, the hospital has not been threatened. Mother Theresa has
active charity operations in three cities.
U.S. Government actions: The
United States has an ongoing dialogue with Yemen concerning human rights, and
has provided assistance in this area as well. The U.S. Embassy assisted the
hospital in Jibla when it experienced harassment, threats, and a mob attack.
* This report was prepared
pursuant to the Managers Statement which accompanies the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1997, House Report 3610: “that the
Department of State report to the Congress on or before January 15, 1997 with a
detailed summary of United States policies designed to reduce and eliminate
today’s mounting persecution of Christians throughout the world.” By agreement
with the Managers, the publication date for this report was extended to
facilitate the gathering of additional information.
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