Washington concerned over religious freedom restrictions in Belarus

June 28, Pozirk. Last year’s amendments to the Belarusian religion law expanded the grounds for closing religious communities and organizations, says the 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom by the United States Department of State.

Authorities can prohibit any religious activities of unregistered groups and impose restrictions on registered organizations, it noted in a reference to the law that entered into force in early January.

Amendments also ban foreigners as well as regime critics branded extremists in Belarus from running religious groups.

The Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church enjoys privileges not granted to other religions, while officials continue politically-motivated persecution of priests and keep closing down religious organizations they deem undesirable, the report said.

Yet even Orthodox priests may face criminal persecution if they engage in politics, display opposition symbols or pray for the victory of Ukraine, it noted, citing an incident in December, when officials warned Minsk clergy against engaging in political activity.

The report cites specific instances of persecution, including criminal cases against Uładzislaŭ Bieładzied, a religious education teacher at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Minsk, and Hienrych Akałatovič of Saint Joseph Church in Vałožyn and arrests of Orthodox priest Dzijanisi Karascialeŭ for a prayer for Ukraine, New Earth Baptist church elder Andrej Mamojka and his spouse Vera, evangelical Christian pastor Alaksandar Zaretski, Viačasłaŭ Adamovič of the Roman Catholic parish of the Holy Virgin Mary in Idołta, Greek Catholic priest Alaksandar Šaŭcoŭ in Polack, Andrej Kulik of the Roman Catholic parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Miory and New Life Church pastor Viačasłaŭ Hančarenka.

Antisemitic comments on social media have been on the rise since the start of Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the report said. Antisemitism was also recorded in references to the Jewish identity of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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