July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report - Marshall Islands
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 13 September 2011 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report - Marshall Islands, 13 September 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e734c8030.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| 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. |
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
September 13, 2011
[Covers six-month period from 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2010 (USDOS is shifting to a calendar year reporting period)]
The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally enforced these protections.
The government generally respected religious freedom in law and 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 significant 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 is an archipelago with an area of 70 square miles and a population of 53,200. Major religious groups include the United Church of Christ (formerly Congregational), with 51.5 percent of the population; the Assemblies of God, 24.2 percent; the Roman Catholic Church, 8.4 percent; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), 8.3 percent. Other groups include Bukot Non Jesus (also known as Assembly of God Part Two), Baptist, Seventh-day Adventists, Full Gospel, and the Bahai Faith. The Jehovah's Witnesses are believed to have a few hundred practitioners, Jews fewer than 20, and Ahmadiyya Muslims fewer than 10.
Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
Please refer to Appendix C in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for the status of the government's acceptance of international legal standards http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/appendices/index.htm.
The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally enforced these protections.
There is no official state religion, but Christianity is the dominant social and cultural influence. Governmental and social functions typically begin and end with an interdenominational Christian prayer delivered by an ordained minister or other church official.
There are no criteria for registering religious groups, nor are there consequences for not registering.
There is no religious education in public schools and no opening or closing prayers during the school day. However, most extracurricular school events begin and end with an interdenominational Christian prayer.
The government observes the following religious holidays as national holidays: Good Friday, Gospel Day, and Christmas.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
The government generally respected religious freedom in law and 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 abuses, including religious prisoners or detainees, in the country.
Section III. Status of Societal Actions Affecting Enjoyment of Religious Freedom
There were no reports of significant societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
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. The embassy regularly meets with local church leaders and foreign missionaries.
