Main innovations in the regulation of religious organizations
The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated December 17, 1992 "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" has been revised and will come into force on July 6, 2024.
Main innovations in the regulation of religious organizations:
- Re-registration of all active religious organizations has been initiated.
The re-registration period is one year starting on July 6, 2024. The re-registration will be carried out according to the procedure for state registration of religious organizations.
The head of a religious organization must be a citizen of the Republic of Belarus who permanently resides in Belarus. A citizen can be the founder of only one religious community.
Organizations that fail to re-register are subject to liquidation by court decision.
- Information about religious organizations will be entered into the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs.
- The implementation of religious activities is detailed, including terms of religious education, pilgrimage, and missionary activities.
The circle of persons who have the right to carry out missionary activities has been determined.
Missionary activities are not allowed on residential premises.
A ban on distributing religious literature and materials by handing them out in homes and on public transport has been introduced.
Religious organizations shall have the exclusive right to carry out pilgrimage activities directly or by establishing organizations, whose main purpose is to carry out pilgrimage activities. Pilgrimage activities may be carried out by religious organizations on a reimbursable andgratuitous basis.
- Rights of religious organizations regarding their property have been clarified.
Real estate of religious organizations cannot be alienated in favor of foreign legal entities and individuals.
Property may be assigned to a religious organization by the right of operational management.
