Side event addresses Christians finding it difficult to secure legal status for services

The side event discussed particular situations in several countries of concern.

Susan Kerr, senior adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief at Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, noted that the topic is not well known as it’s not always very interesting to the media.

“The right of freedom of religion or belief cannot be made subject to registration; the right doesn’t depend on legal recognition,” she said. “Destruction of religious places is a violation of freedom of religion or belief.” 

Barriers to freedom of religion or belief might include delays in processing registration of places of worship, or prohibitive requirements to registration, needing a high number of people joining in order to register, or deeming people illegal until registered – which makes it very difficult to start a community because you are illegal until you have the required number.

“Blanket decisions can have negative effects on religious communities,” said Kerr. “They might not be able to open a bank account, or receive donations.”

She noted that, for minority communities this can be very detrimental.

“Restrictions mustn’t be imposed in a discriminatory manner,” she said.

Mike Gabriel, head of the Religious Liberty Commission on the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, noted that law enforcement officials have been main perpetrators of violations of freedom of religion or belief. “A 2022 government circular declared that approval is required from multiple government layers, including national government ministries, in order to be registered,” he said. “Even prayer meetings in homes are hit.”

There were 20 churches affected just in the last year – told they either register or shut down. “Small evangelical organisations have been especially hit,” he said. 

Ramazan Arkan, senior pastor of Antalya Evangelical Churches of Antalya, Turkey, noted that the population of Turkey is 86,000 million—and Christians number 10,000. “Most have converted from Islam,” he said. “Turkish law gives equal rights for all, but we face discrimination.”

Christians often lack the financial means to have places to gather, Arkan added. “Our places are not recognised as legal places to worship,” said Arkan. “We are denied permission to build premises and don’t get permission to worship in disused buildings.”

Christians also face false accusation and hate speech, Arkan continued. “If we register as a Christian and not Muslim, we can lose jobs and education,” said Arkan. “All children from fifth must get Islamic education in schools regardless of their own religion.”

Christians are not allowed to open a Christian college, and cannot give diplomas to those who want to serve churches. “We cannot bring outside clergy to serve,” said Arkan. “Many churches rely on volunteers—people come from abroad to do this,” he said. “But they then cannot re-enter Turkey when they leave as a certain code is put in their passports if the authorities learn what they have been doing.”

Samuil Petrovski, general secretary of the Serbia Evangelical Alliance, reflected that freedom of religion or belief has improved since 2006, but could be better. 

“Since 2006, the law recognises both traditional and ‘other’ churches, but nontraditional churches are required to register by law,” explained Petrovski. “This applies to all nontraditional churches, even though have existed for over 150 years.”

One hundred citizens’ signatures are required, with personal ID numbers, but there is some concern expressed that those who sign will not be able to get state jobs as they are labelled evangelical or Protestant.

“It is very hard for nontraditional churches to register, as some churches are only 20-30 members,” said Petrovski. “Some can’t access resources or funds to get property.”

A director with East Africa Open Doors, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, noted that the population of Burundi is less than 14 million. 

“Churches are often denied registration based on their numbers, and the government can intervene in internal matters of church,” said the director. “Church leaders have to have a degree to lead a church, and the required standards on construction and sanitation are too high for churches to achieve.”

The Burundi government has warned churches that the government will start closing churches this year. “There are some reports that surveillance has started and church leaders are being arrested for having church meetings,” said the director. “These actions are in violation of the constitution.”

WCC invites participation in survey on freedom of religion or belief

Learn more about the WCC work on "Human dignity and rights"

Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) Learning Platform

Conference of European Churches reflects on freedom of religion during COVID-19 pandemic