U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2001 - Republic of Congo
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 26 October 2001 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2001 - Republic of Congo, 26 October 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3bdbdd930.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Comments | The International Religious Freedom Report for 2001 is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. The law provides that the Secretary of State shall transmit to Congress by September 1 of each year, or the first day thereafter on which the appropriate House of Congress is in session, "an Annual Report on International Religious Freedom supplementing the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom." The 2001 Report covers the period from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001. |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Fundamental Act provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.
There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion.
While the generally amicable relations among religions in society contributed to religious freedom, the close link between certain messianic groups and opposition political movements at times was a source of tension.
The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
The country has a total area of 132,047 square miles and its population is approximately 3 million. Approximately half of its citizens are Christian; of these about 90 percent are Roman Catholic. There is a small Muslim community estimated at 25,000 to 50,000 persons, most of whom are immigrants from North and West Africa who work in commerce in urban centers. The remainder of the population is made up of practitioners of traditional indigenous religions, those who belong to various messianic groups, and those who practice no religion at all. A small minority of the Christian community practices Kimbanguism, a syncretist movement that originated in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. While retaining many elements of Christianity, Kimbanguism also recognizes its founder (Simon Kimbangu) as a prophet and incorporates African traditional beliefs, such as ancestor worship.
Mystical or messianic practices (especially among the ethnic Lari population in the Pool region) have been associated with opposition political movements, including some elements of the armed insurrection in the south during 1998-1999.
It is unknown if foreign missionary groups operate in the country.
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
The Constitution (Fundamental Act) provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The Government at all levels generally protects this right in full, and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors. There is no official state religion.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Government policy and practice contributed to the generally unrestricted practice of religion.
There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees.
Forced Religious Conversion
There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.
Section III. Societal Attitudes
While the generally amicable relations among religions in society contributed to religious freedom, the close link between certain messianic groups and opposition political movements at times was a source of tension.
All organized religious groups are represented in a joint ecumenical council, which meets periodically.
Section IV. U.S. Government Policy
The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.
