Moldova: Information on the treatment of Baptists, including any reports of arrests, detentions, beatings, killings or other forms of harassment or persecution in 1992 and 1993
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDA16655.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Moldova: Information on the treatment of Baptists, including any reports of arrests, detentions, beatings, killings or other forms of harassment or persecution in 1992 and 1993, 1 March 1994, MDA16655.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aac448.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. |
A representative of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Richmond, Virginia indicated that he was unaware of any reports of harassment, arrests, detentions, beatings or killings of Baptists in Moldova (1 Mar. 1994). He further indicated that in the past two years, Baptists have generally been quite free to practise their religion (ibid.). He added that Baptists face some difficulties in getting material resources and utilities, especially on a local level and when dealing with government officials closely linked to the Orthodox Church. He also indicated that Baptist groups are increasing in number and that in 1993, there were approximately 7,800 Baptist Christians in Moldova (ibid.).
In November 1993, the representative of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention assisted at a Baptist meeting held in the main auditorium in Kishinev (ibid.). The meeting, he said, was attended by government officials and people from 55 countries. It was also broadcast on Moldovan television (ibid.).
A member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) mission to Moldova between April 1993 and November 1993 indicated that he is not aware of any reports of arrests, detentions, beatings, killings or discrimination against Baptists in Moldova (4 Mar. 1994). He corroborated the information that freedom of religion is generally observed in Moldova, although some difficulties are encountered because of the lack of material resources and utilities, such as heat, power and light (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) mission of April-November 1993. 4 March 1994. Telephone interview with member.
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Richmond, Virginia. 1 March 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
