making ending religious persecution a precondition for their membership of the EU, BosNewsLife monitored Saturday, April 29.
"It is vital that the EU uses this period of consideration to push both Romania and Bulgaria to bring their laws and practice into line before they join the EU,", said Alexa Papadouris, Advocacy Director of advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which has been involved in the campaign.
Several human rights groups, including CSW, have expressed concerns over what they see as a lack of religious freedom in both Balkan nations.
CSW told BosNewsLife that proposed legislation in Romania has the potential to discriminate against religious minorities, including the evangelical community, as it is difficult for smaller or newer churches to acquire legal status and receive full rights as religious bodies.
Under the law religious groups with less than 300 members cannot call themselves a “church”, are denied legal status and have therefore no legal means to defend themselves against acts of intolerance and violence.
LEGAL PROTECTION
"This absence of legal protection, which is otherwise guaranteed solely to recognized religions, violates article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and poses significant problems in a country where some Orthodox clergy and local authorities have reportedly obstructed the activities of some minority religious groups," CSW said.
The law would also prevent unrecognized religious groups from acquiring property and building churches as recognition by the government would only be granted if the association’s “activities and number of members offer guarantees of durability, stability and public interest”. The religious association must have been active on Romanian territory for at least 12 years.
The draft law, which had been approved by the Senate at the end of December, is now being considered by the Romanian Chamber of Deputies which has yet to issue an opinion. In neighboring Bulgaria there has been tensions with the mainstream Bulgarian Orthodox Church after in July 2004, the State Prosecutor’s Office sided with a faction of the denomination ordering church buildings and monasteries to be taken by force. The case is now being considered by the European Court of Human Rights.
PRIESTS DRAGGED
Priests, monks, and lay-workers were dragged out of their churches and monasteries as police stormed the buildings under an order from the Prosecutor’s Office. Many were reportedly beaten and some suffered serious injuries. "Over 160 priests and monks found their churches and monasteries confiscated and have had no option but to hold mass and other religious ceremonies in the open air over the past year and a half," said CSW which met with representatives of the "Alternate Synod" in Sofia late March.
Church leaders have reportedly expressed hope that the EU would be a positive influence on Bulgaria in the establishment of rule of law and respect for religious freedom. Several members of the European Parliament have expressed concern over the situation in Romania and Bulgaria.
Britsh European Parliamentarian Robert Evans reportedly submitted a formal question on the legislation in Romania to the European Commission enquiring whether practical steps had been taken by the Commission to ensure that Romania complies with EU and international standards regarding freedom of religion and respect for minorities.
While Romania and Bulgaria "should be congratulated for the major reforms they have implemented throughout the accession process…it is essential that they recognize the importance of safeguarding religious liberty and other human rights," said CSW’s Papadouris. (With reports from Bulgaria, Romania and BosNewsLife Research).
