2002 press releases

Belarus Religion Law Prompts Reaction from Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman (October 4, 2002)

(Washington) - United States Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) today stated his "immense concern for the future of religious freedom in Belarus" after the passage by the Belarusian parliament of a restrictive religion law. Passage of the law comes two months after Belarus authorities plowed through a newly built church with a bulldozer.

"This repressive legislation, targeting minority religions, strikes another blow against religious freedom and clearly violates internationally accepted human rights standards," Smith said. "Lukashenka and his regime of hand-picked legislators are obviously intent on repressing minority religious communities, while singling out and heavily favoring the state-recognized Orthodox Church."

The religion law passed the upper chamber on Wednesday after the lower chamber approved it earlier this year. President Alexander Lukashenka has ten days to sign it into law.

"Lukashenka's regime has inflicted Belarus with the worst human rights record in Europe," Smith said, "flagrantly violating basic freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, association and religion."

The new law bans religious activity by groups not registered with the government and forbids most religious meetings on private property. Religious literature is subject to government censorship and communities existing in Belarus for less than 20 years are restricted from publishing literature or educating coreligionists. Under the legislation, the Orthodox Church has a "determining role" in Belarus. Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism and Islam, however, are noted as "traditional" faiths.

In August, Belarus officials bulldozed a newly built Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the village of Pahranichny. Authorities ordered the building destroyed, citing "illegal" construction since architectural plans did not include a basement. A journalist was jailed 15 days for attempting to write about the bulldozing.

Lukashenka has reportedly launched a media smear campaign targeting Protestant communities, while heavily fining Hindu groups for meditating in public parks and jailing Hindu protestors.

Lukashenka's political opposition, independent media and non-governmental organizations endure constant harassment. Three journalists were recently jailed for allegedly defaming him. Lukashenka refused last month to renew the entry visa of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group's acting head, effectively shutting down the operation.

Recent presidential and parliamentary elections, infested with democratic standards violations, were neither free nor fair. Credible evidence links Lukashenka's regime to the disappearances of his political opponents. Evidence also indicates Belarus is a supplier of military equipment to rogue states.