2009 Report on International Religious Freedom - Andorra

[Covers the period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009]

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion.

The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.

There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.

Section I. Religious Demography

The country has an area of 180 square miles and a population of 85,000. Few official statistics are available on religion; traditionally, 90 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. The population consists largely of immigrants from Spain, Portugal, and France, with citizens constituting 37 percent of inhabitants. Generally, immigrants are also Catholic. It is estimated that one-half of Catholics are active church attendees. Other Christian groups include the New Apostolic Church; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons); several Protestant denominations, including the Anglican Church; the Reunification Church; and Jehovah's Witnesses. Other religious groups include Muslims (primarily two thousand North African immigrants divided into two groups, one of which is more fundamentalist); Jews (an estimated one hundred); and Hindus.

Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom

Legal/Policy Framework

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. The Constitution, however, acknowledges a special relationship with the Catholic Church "in accordance with Andorran tradition" and recognizes the "full legal capacity" of the bodies of the Catholic Church, granting them legal status "in accordance with their own rules." The Catholic Church receives some privileges, although no direct subsidies, not available to other religious groups. One of the two constitutionally designated princes of the country (who serves equally as joint head of state with the president of France) is Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia of the Spanish town of La Seu d'Urgell.

The Government observes the Catholic religious celebration on September 8 of the Verge de Meritxell (Virgin of Meritxell) as national day, as well as Easter, Whit Sunday, All Saints' Day, and Christmas.

There is no law that clearly requires legal registration and approval of religious groups and religious worship. The law of associations is very general and does not specifically mention religious organizations. A consolidated register of associations records all types of associations, including religious groups. Registration is not compulsory; however, groups must register or reregister to be considered for the support that the Government provides to nongovernmental organizations. For example, the Government provides support to Caritas, the Andorran Migrant Women's Association, and the Andorran Women's Association. To register or reregister, a group must provide its statutes and foundation agreement, a statement certifying the names of persons appointed to board or other official positions in the organization, and a patrimony declaration that identifies the inheritance or endowment of the organization. There were no reports of rejected applications.

The authorities reportedly expressed concern that some methods allegedly used by certain religious organizations (brainwashing or physical abuse, for example) might prove injurious to public health, safety, morals, or order. These authorities questioned how they might proceed in such cases but did not mention a specific instance. The law does not limit such groups, although it does contain a provision that no one may be "forced to join or remain in an association against his or her will."

The Government does not assign or grant space for places of worship. Such decisions are handled at the local (parish) government level. In spite of negotiations for some years between the Muslim community and the Government, no mosque has been built, apparently due to a lack of unity within the Muslim community. Nevertheless, the country's estimated 2000 Muslims have "prayer spaces," and there appear to be no restrictions on the number of these places of worship scattered throughout the country.

Instruction in the Catholic faith is available in public schools on an optional basis, outside of both regular school hours and the time frame set aside for elective school activities, such as civics or ethics. The Catholic Church provides teachers for religion classes, and the Government pays their salaries. The Islamic Cultural Center provided approximately 50 students with Arabic lessons. By the end of the reporting period, the Government and the Moroccan community, the largest Muslim group in the country, had not agreed upon a system that would allow children to receive Arabic instruction in school outside of the regular school day. The Government was willing to offer Arabic classes, but the Muslim community was not able to find an imam to teach. The Ombudsman received no complaints from the Muslim community on this issue.

On occasion the Government makes public facilities available to religious organizations for religious activities.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners in the country.

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 the refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom

There were few reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Societal attitudes among religious groups appeared to be amicable and tolerant. For example, the Catholic Church of la Massana lends its sanctuary twice per month to the Anglican community, so that visiting Anglican clergy can conduct services for the English-speaking community. Although those who practice religions other than Catholicism tend to be immigrants and otherwise not integrated fully into the local community, there were few if any obstacles to their practicing their own religions.

Section IV. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.