Lithuania: Treatment of Seventh-Day Adventists and the availability of state protection

There are nine traditional religious associations that are recognized in Lithuania, while all other religious faiths are considered "new" or "non-traditional" (CESNUR Aug. 2000). "The meaning of 'non-traditional' in Lithuania to a large extent has been influenced by the Law on religious communities and associations, adopted by the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania in 1995" (ibid.). The Seventh-day Adventist faith is considered non-traditional (ibid.).

According to the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom Report for 2001, approximately 0.5 per cent of the population belong to non-traditional religious communities, with the Seventh-day Adventists being among the largest (26 Oct. 2001). As a non-traditional religious group, Seventh-day Adventists do not benefit from governmental assistance, as do traditional or recognized religious groups (ibid.). Adventists must also present an application which includes a founding statement that has been signed by no less than 15 members, and a description of their religious teachings and aims in order to register their bylaws, something not required of traditional religious groups (ibid.). Furthermore,

The Law on Religious Communities and Associations stipulates that nontraditional religious communities may be granted state recognition if they are "backed by society" and have been registered in the country for at least 25 years. Both traditional and state recognized communities can receive state subsidies; they do not have to pay social and health insurance for clergy and other employees; their clergy and theological students are exempt from military service; and they are not subject to VAT tax on such services as electricity, telephone, and heat. However, only traditional communities have the right to teach religion in state schools and buy land to build churches (other communities can rent it). Religious communities registered by the Ministry of Justice constitute the third status group: they do not receive subsidies, tax exemptions, social benefits, or military exemptions enjoyed by traditional and state recognized communities but can act as legal entities and thus rent land for religious buildings. There are also unregistered communities. They have no juridical status or state privileges, but there are no reports that such groups were prevented from worshipping or seeking members. ...

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While the operations of foreign missionary groups within the country are not restricted, nontraditional foreign religious workers must obtain work permits, and they face difficult bureaucratic requirements in obtaining residence permits from officials who regard them as representatives of "cults" and "sects" (ibid.).

The report also indicated that non-traditional religious communities do have the right to establish their own schools and there are no restrictions on their activities or property rights (ibid.).

During the period covered by the

The Adventist Yearbook 2002 states that currently there are 11 churches and 897 members of the Seventh-day Adventist faith in Lithuania (SAC 2002). The first worship and outreach centres associated with Adventists began in 1996 (Global Mission 2000).

In July 2002, "[t]he first graduation of ten pastors involved in the Newbold College Off-Campus Pastor Education Programme in the Baltic countries took place at Riga's Central Seventh-day Adventist Church [in Latvia]" (Adventist Church in the Baltic Countries 2002). The students received a Bachelor of Arts in theology and were from six different countries, one of which was Lithuania (The Adventist Review 2002).

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is "the worldwide humanitarian ARM of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Established for the specific purposes of individual and community development and disaster relief" (ADRA n.d.). This organization operates in five core areas: food security, economic development, primary health, disaster response and preparedness, and basic education (ibid.). The ADRA has a presence in over 100 countries; Lithuania is one of them (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Adventist Church in the Baltic Countries. 2002. "Baltic Union Conference News." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA). n.d. "Frequently Asked Questions." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Adventist Review [Silver Spring]. 2002. "'Go One Million' Surges Ahead." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2001. 26 October 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Center for Studies on New Religions (CENSUR). August 2000. "New and Non-Traditional Religious Movements in Lithuania." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Global Mission. 2000. "Highlights: Ten Years of Global Mission Around the World." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Seventh-day Adventist Church (SAC). 2002. "Adventist Yearbook 2002." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

Adventist World Radio.

The Adventist Church in the Baltic Countries did not reply to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

BBC.

Human Rights Watch.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

The Lithuanian Mission of Adventist Church did not reply to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

WNC.