World Jewish News

Byelorussian Jews are afraid of the new law concerning religious organizations.

Jews of Byelorussia are concerned about the new law referring religious organizations that states domination of Russian Orthodox Church.
The law signed by Alexander Lukashenko limits activity of small religious groups. In particular, the religious organization henceforth can be registered only in case the total number of members is more than 20 and the organization exists at the territory of Byelorussia not less than 20 years. The religious formations, which do not correspond to the mentioned requirements, have no right to conduct divine service, editing or missionary activity.
JTA informs with reference to opinion of the Chief Rabbi of Byelorussia Sender Uritsky that the new law can cause serious problems for Jews of this former Soviet republic.
The new Byelorussian law has already been criticized by the European Union and representatives of many confessions. The United States believe the law about religious organizations, accepted this week in Byelorussia, does not correspond to the international principles of protection human rights and freedom of religion. The statement of the USA state department has emphasized that the law humiliates rights of citizens of Byelorussia belonging to so-called "nonconventional religions".

Источник: Sem40.ru