The government of Belarus is presently considering introducing a highly restrictive religion law that would drive Belarus back into Soviet era oppression, crippling the numerous small Protestant evangelical and non-traditional groups that have revived, or come into Belarus, since Perestroika and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Prayer and advocacy is requested. BELARUS RELIGION BILL If adopted as drafted, the new religion law will outlaw unregistered religious activity and only those religious communities that consist of more than 20 Belarusian citizens will be able to gain registration. This will threaten smaller groups and make the founding of new communities impossible. Also, the leader of any religious organisation will have to be a Belarus citizen. This is highly discriminatory and will cause serious difficulties for many religious groups after so many years of Communist oppression. If the law is passed religious meetings will not be permitted to take place regularly in private homes and all religious literature will be subjected to State censorship. If the law is passed, a denomination seeking registration as a legal entity will have to have at least 10 separate registered groups, of which one must have existed in 1982 - at the height of the Soviet oppression. Julia Doxat-Purser, Socio-Political Representative and Religious Liberty Coordinator of the European Evangelical Alliance, notes, "This means that many Protestant Churches and other faiths cannot and can never become associations. Only religious associations can train clergy, invite foreigners to come and be staff, establish missions and schools or run mass media (Articles 27 - 29). Denying faith communities the right to train leaders or have foreign staff would make continuing existence impossible." WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY There had been great secrecy around the proposed religion law and most people were completely unaware of its contents until it was brought before parliament for discussion. The lower house of parliament voted to have the reading of religion law postponed, but this was overthrown and the law was hastily passed in the lower house on 27 June. However, on 28 June, the final day of the spring session, the upper house voted to postpone the reading until after the summer recess, citing lack of time get acquainted with the text. The reading in the upper house will now take place on 2 October, the first day of the next parliamentary session. The postponement has given churches and human rights lawyers in Belarus a window of opportunity to raise awareness of the issues and to advocate for religious freedom. Many analysts believe the law is part of a wider political policy of supporting the Orthodox Church (who are in full favour of the bill) in an effort to strengthen Slavic identity / nationalism and unity. This fails to acknowledge the immense social contribution and positive influence the Protestant Church has made to all spheres of life in Belarus ever since the fifteen century. Julia Doxat-Purser reports, "The Baptist, Pentecostal, Full Gospel and Adventist Churches are united as they stand together to talk to politicians. They are working closely with human rights lawyers. They are helping to organise a conference on the proposed law for 30 September." Church Representatives were also able to distribute information about the religious situation in Belarus at the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) conference in Warsaw, held from 9-19 September 2002. ADVOCACY REQUESTED It would be very helpful and supportive if you would consider sending even one letter (sample letter provided below) - however, for your information, this is the request from church representatives in Belarus: "Five letters need to be posted, having been faxed first. Copies should be sent to Sergey & Dinna Shavstsov (Church representatives) at so they can publicise the fact." I would urge everyone who is able, to write a letter, then fax it (if you have the facility) and mail it to the following five addresses at the earliest possible opportunity. ------------------------------------------------------ 1) Republican Soviet of National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus 220030, Belarus, Minsk, Krasnoarmeiskaya Str., 4 fax +375 17 227 23 18 2) Chamber of Representatives of National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus 220050, Belarus, Minsk, Sovetskaya Str., 11 fax +375 17 227 37 84 3) The Religion Committee of the Republic of Belarus 220029, Belarus, Minsk, Kommunisticheskaya Str., 11 tel +375 17 284 89 52, 284 63 44 4) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus 220030, Belarus, Minsk, Lenin Str., 19 fax +375 17 227 45 21 5) The President Administration 220016, Belarus, Minsk, Marx Str., 38 fax +375 17226 06 10 ---------------------------------------------------------- SAMPLE LETTER (This letter can be used as a guide, modified or copied and sent to all five addresses.) Your Excellency, I appeal to you to please give serious consideration the issue of the law "On freedom of conscience and religious organisations" that has been proposed for Belarus and is up for discussion before the Council of the Republic on 2 October. The religion law as drafted contradicts the Constitution of Belarus and contravenes international human rights norms. If passed, the law will introduce discriminatory limitations to the freedom of religion. It will cripple and even threaten the very existence of many small religious groups that have been meeting and operating peacefully in Belarus. The law also contains a number of unclear law-terms, which will make it possible to apply its standards arbitrarily. It would prove to be a serious violation of religious liberty and could be used as a tool of religious persecution. The European Union Presidency's declaration concerning the proposed religion law states: "If the said law receives final approval this will further weaken freedom of conscience in Belarus." And - "The European Union encourages the Council of the Republic not to approve the law in question." (Brussels 26 August 2002). I hereby also express my concern for religious liberty in Belarus. I wish to protest the draft law "On freedom of conscience and religious organisations" and urge that it be rejected for the sake of all the people of Belarus who desire and deserve their full rights to freedom of belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. (Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles 18, 19, and 20 - also article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.) (signed and dated) **WEA Religious-Liberty e-mail Conference** <> This information is provided to Religious Liberty Conference users. 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