Arrr! The scurvy Belarusian captain be tightenin' his grip on the ship, quashin' all religious scallywags!
2024-01-05
Arrgh! Lukashenko, that scallywag, be snatchin' a sixth term in 2020, all while the opposition be cryin' fraud! And aye, the government be lockin' up 35,000 landlubber protesters. What a sea o' troubles, mateys!
In a rather alarming move, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has implemented a new law that increases control over religious denominations and organizations. The law stipulates that all religious groups must reapply for state registration, with the authorities having the power to deny these requests. This is just the latest action in Lukashenko's crackdown on dissent, which has become more severe since the disputed presidential election in 2020.Since 2022, being involved in unregistered organizations in Belarus has been a criminal offense, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to two years. The country currently has 3,417 registered religious groups, with the majority being Orthodox Christians, followed by Catholics and Protestants. During the anti-government protests in 2020, some Catholic and Protestant churches provided shelter and support to demonstrators.
The new law grants authorities extensive powers to deny registration and shut down religious organizations. It requires a religious group to have operated in Belarus for at least 30 years in order to be registered. It also forbids those accused of extremist or terrorist activities from leading a religious organization and prohibits the use of non-religious symbols in church services. Additionally, it bans gatherings in churches that are not for religious services.
Religious leaders in Belarus, particularly Protestant pastors, have expressed concern about the impact of this law. They fear that Protestant churches will be targeted, given their popularity among younger people. Many view the law as repressive and worry that churches will either have to cease their activities or return to operating underground, as during the Soviet era.
Analysts believe that the Belarusian authorities are aiming to tighten control over all aspects of public life in preparation for upcoming elections. Critics argue that this law infringes on international standards of freedom of conscience and religion.