WRITTEN QUESTION E-3960/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) and Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Law on freedom of religion in Belarus

Is the Commission aware that the government of Belarus has published a proposal for a law amending the current law on freedom of religion which runs the risk of placing far-reaching restrictions on the freedom of religion, worship and religious professions?

Is the Commission aware that this law would have the following effects:

(a) the formation of church institutions, such as synods, would be hindered and restricted and public evangelistic activities would be prohibited;

(b) meetings for bible study would be subject to registration and only permitted after approval by the authorities;

(c) a church grouping would not be allowed to have fewer than 25 members and 'destructive denominations and organizations' would be prohibited all on the basis of an assessment by an administrative body.

Is the Commission also aware that the government of Belarus has set up a state committee for religious affairs and does it know what are the tasks and powers of this state committee?

What restrictive measures with regard to cooperation between the EU and Belarus are currently in force and is the Commission prepared to strengthen these measures if religious freedom is thus restricted in Belarus?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (26 January 1998)

The Commission is aware of the intention of the government of Belarus to amend the current law on freedom of religion. As the amendments are still in preparatory stage, no detailed information is yet available.

Whereas the Constitution of Belarus provides for freedom of religion, worship and proselytism, several restrictions to religious freedom and religious professions have already been observed in Belarus. A July 1995 cabinet of ministers directive sharply limited the activity of foreign religious workers and was interpreted as a means of enhancing the position of the orthodox church, whose head is closely associated with the President, with respect to the faster-growing roman catholic and protestant churches. The President granted the orthodox church special tax and other financial advantages which other denominations do not enjoy, and declared that preservation and development of orthodox christianity is a 'moral necessity'. In 1996, Belarus state radio stopped broadcasting Sunday mass from the catholic church of St. Simon and St. Helena in Minsk; on the basis of a new law on the activities of clergymen, Belarusian authorities refused to register an important number of foreign catholic priests.

Freedom of religion is part of the European Convention of human rights. Observed restrictions to freedom of religion and the possible adoption of a new law which would further limit freedom of religion in Belarus have to be judged against the declared will of Belarus to become a full member of the Council of Europe.

Scope for cooperation between the Community and Belarus has been reviewed since November 1996. The conclusion of the Partnership and cooperation agreement and the Interim agreement has been suspended, the main bulk of the Tacis programme has been halted; Member States' bilateral assistance programmes have been scaled down; bilateral contacts have been reduced to a minimum. Although the Community remains committed not to isolate Belarus, current violations of human rights and democratic principles, including of religious freedom, do not allow for any progress in the development of bilateral relations.