Moldova: Information on the state of freedom of religion since independence, on whether there is a law on proselytism, and if so, whether it is enforced
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDA14569 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Moldova: Information on the state of freedom of religion since independence, on whether there is a law on proselytism, and if so, whether it is enforced, 1 July 1993, MDA14569, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab1a24.html [accessed 3 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. |
Religious freedom in Moldova is codified in a law on religion which was passed in 1992 (Country Reports 1992 1993, 851). The Helsinki Commission reports that "[s]ince independence, all religions have been able to practice freely, although congregations are required to register with the government" (Helsinki Commission Jan. 1993, 90). In addition to the requirement to register, Country Reports 1992 adds that religious groups must also obtain government approval to hire noncitizens (1993, 851).
There have been reports of some religious groups being refused registration by the government, including a group of Baha'i followers in October 1992 (Ibid.; Helsinki Commission Jan. 1993, 90) and a group called the Metropolitan Seat of Bessarabia (ancient rite) (Rompres 15 Mar. 1993).
The law on religion prohibits proselytism (Country Reports 1992, 1993, 851; Helsinki Commission Jan. 1993, 90). While there are reports that the government is not enforcing the law prohibiting proselytism (Ibid.) some Protestant denominations are reportedly concerned that the prohibition on proselytizing could inhibit their activities (Country Reports 1992 1993, 851).
According to Country Reports 1992, the Moldovan Parliament
did not issue implementing regulations that provided a legal definition of the term [proselytism], leaving open the possibility of abuse. There has been no pressure on Parliament to address the subject, and, to date, that provision of the law does not appear to have been invoked, despite a substantial amount of evangelizing taking place (1993, 851-2).
Additional or corroborative information on the above subject is currently unavailable.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Helsinki Commission (Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe), Washington DC. January 1993. Human Rights and Democratization in the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union.
Rompres [Bucharest, in English]. 15 March 1993. "Non-Recognition of Bessarabian Church Appealed." (FBIS-SOV-93-048 15 Mar. 1993, p. 81)
Attachments
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, pp. 851-852.
Helsinki Commission (Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe), Washington DC. January 1993. Human Rights and Democratization in the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union, p. 90.
Rompres [Bucharest, in English]. 15 March 1993. "Non-Recognition of Bessarabian Church Appealed." (FBIS-SOV-93-048 15 Mar. 1993, p. 81)
