Albania[1]

Armenia[2]

Azerbaijan[3]

Belarus[4]

Czech Republic[5]

Estonia[6]

Hungary[7]

Latvia[8]

Lithuania[9]

Macedonia[10]

Moldova[11]

Poland[12]

Romania[13]

Russia[14]

Slovakia[15]

Ukraine[16]

I. Initial Registration Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Is registration as a religious organization required? Include registration requirements in footnote.

Yes[17]

Yes[18]

Yes[19]

Yes[20]

Yes[21]

No[22]

No[23]

Yes[24]

No[25]

Yes[26]

 Yes[27]

 

No[28]

Yes[29]

No[30]

Yes[31]

Yes[32]

 

B. From what body does the religious association request registration?  

District Court[33]

State Council on Religious Affairs[34]

State Committee on issues of religious organizations[35]

The Republican Body of State Governance on Religious Affairs [36]

Ministry of Culture[37]

Registration departments of Courts (from Jan. 7, 2002)[38]

County court or Metropolitan Court of Budapest[39]

Board of Religious Affairs[40]

Ministry of Justice[41]

Authority in charge of religious affairs[42]

The State Service on  Problems of the Cults[43]

The Office of Denomina-tional Affairs[44]

State Secretariat for Cults or local court of first instance.[45]

Ministry of Justice[46]

Ministry of Culture[47]

Depends on whether the association is a religious organization or religious center, administration, monastery, fraternity, mission or spiritual education institution[48]

C. Is there a statutory deadline for the governmental body to make decisions on registration?

Not yet required by law[49]

One month[50]

 

 

One month (depending on foundation documents)

One month[51]

No

No

60 days[52]

One month[53]

Six months[54]

No

30 days for the registration of the cult

15 days  for the registration of the component of the cult[55]

Yes, 2 months[56]

3 days[57]

One month[58]

No

One month[59]

D. Are non-registered religions required to report activities?

No[60]

No[61]

No[62]

N/a

No

No

No

Not specifically[63]

No

Not mentioned in law

Not specified

 

Not specified

 

No[64]

No

No

E. Are religious associations allowed to register as non-profit organizations?

Yes[65]

Yes[66]

Yes[67]

Yes[68]

No

Yes[69]

Not specified

Not specified

Yes[70]

Yes[71]

Yes[72]

 

 

 

Yes[73]

Yes[74]

 No[75]

No

Yes[76]

F. Are religious associations required to register only as non-profit organizations?

Yes[77]

Yes[78]

Yes

Yes[79]

No

No[80]

No[81]

No[82]

No other options are specified[83]

 

 Yes[84] 

 

Not specified[85]

No

No

No

G. Are religious associations required to register only as religious organizations?

No[86]

Yes

Yes

No[87]

Yes

No

No

No

No other options are specified[88]

No other options are specified.

No[89]

 

No other effective alternative is available[90]

Yes

Yes

Not clear

H. What affirmative penalties (if any) are established for failure to register as a religious organization?

None[91]

Administrative penalties[92]

Administrative penalties[93]

Not explicitly defined[94]

Will not be recognized as a religious association in the Czech Republic[95]

None[96]

 

None[97]

None[98]

None

 

None[99]

 

None[100]

None specified

Inability to obtain legal status in Slovakia[101]

None specified

I. Do registered religions have the rights of ordinary legal persons?

Yes[102]

Yes[103]

Yes[104]

Yes[105]

Yes

Yes[106]

Yes[107]

Yes[108]

Yes[109]

Unsure[110]

Yes[111]

Yes[112]

Yes[113]

Yes[114]

Yes[115]

Not clear[116]

J. Does registration insulate members from personal liability?

Yes, with an exception[117]

 

Yes[118]

No[119]

Yes[120]

Yes

No

Not specified

Not mentioned in the Law [121]

 

 

 

 

 

No

 

Most likely  no[122]

Not specified

No[123]

Not specified

K. How long must an association be active before it can register?

No specific time[124]

Not specified

Not specified

20 years[125]

Not mentioned.

N/a

N/a

N/a[126]

No minimum time specified

No minimum time specified.

No minimum time specified

No minimum time

No requirement[127]

15 years[128]

Not mentioned.

Not specified

L. What is the minimum number of members? (Is there an age requirement?)

Requirements differ with or without “membership”[129]

200 members over 18[130]

10 members (of mature age)[131]

20 members over 18 years old[132]

300 adults[133]

12 adults[134]

100 private individuals[135]

10 adult citizens[136]

30 adult citizens[137]

No minimum.[138]

No minimum

100 Polish citizens with full capacity to perform legal transactions[139]

3[140]

10 members over 18[141]

20,000 adults having a permanent residence in Slovak Republic[142]

10 members over 18[143]

M. May all registered religious associations access and use public facilities?

Not provided in the law[144]

Yes[145]

Yes[146]

With permission[147]

No[148]

Yes

Yes

Yes[149]

 

Yes[150]

Yes[151]

Yes [152]

Yes[153]

Yes[154]

Yes[155]

Yes[156]

Yes[157]

M1. Are there any req'ts (beyond a change in status) for associations to access public facilities? If so, what?

Not provided in the law

Yes[158]

 

Yes[159]

See above footnote

No

Yes[160]

None

Yes[161]

No[162]

Yes[163]

No[164]

 

No

No[165]

No[166]

Yes[167]

N. May all registered religious associations participate in lobbying or other political activity?

Yes[168]

Yes[169]

No[170]

No[171]

Yes

Yes

Yes[172]

Not specified

Not mentioned in the law.

No[173]

No[174]

No[175]

Not specified[176]

No[177]

Not mentioned.

No[178]

O. Are members of all registered religious associations exempt from military duty for religious reasons?

Yes[179]

Yes[180]

 

No[181]

No[182]

Yes[183]

Yes[184]

Yes[185]

 

 

Yes[186]

No exemption listed

Yes[187]

Yes[188]

Yes[189]

Yes[190]

Not mentioned.

No[191]

P. Are there other benefits flowing to all registered religious associations? List enumerated benefits in footnote.

Yes[192]

Yes[193]

Yes[194]

Yes[195]

Yes[196]

Yes[197]

Yes[198]

Yes[199]

Yes[200]

Yes[201]

Yes[202]

Yes[203]

Yes[204]

Yes[205]

Clergy-penitent privilege[206]

Yes[207]

Q. Grounds for denial of registration application

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See footnote[208]

 

See footnote[209]

 

Subversive or anti-state activities

 

Q1. May a registration application be denied if the religious association espouses anti-constitutional conduct?

Yes[210]

Yes[211]

 

Yes[212]

Yes[213]

Yes[214]

Yes[215]

Yes[216]

Yes[217]

Yes[218]

 

See footnote 66

 

Yes[219]

Yes[220]

Yes[221]

Yes[222]

Q2. May a registration application be denied if the religious group is deemed to be not religious?

Not specified

Yes[223]

Yes[224]

Yes[225]

Yes[226]

No[227]

No[228]

Not specified

Most likely[229]

 

Not specified by the legislation

 

No

Yes[230]

Not mentioned.

Not specified

Q3. May a registration application be denied if there is already a religious group with the same name?

Yes[231]

Not specifically[232]

Yes[233]

 

Yes[234]

Yes[235]

Yes[236]

Yes[237]

Yes[238]

Yes[239]

Not specified for religious organizations and concerns enterprises only

Yes[240]

Yes[241]

Yes[242]

No[243]

Not specified

Q4. Are there other reasons for the denial of registration application?

Not defined in the law[244]

Yes[245]

Yes[246]

Yes[247]

Yes[248]

Yes[249]

Yes[250]

Yes[251]

Yes[252]

 

No

Yes[253]

Yes[254]

Yes[255]

Yes[256]

Yes[257]

R. Is there a requirement that a reason for the denial be given in writing?

Yes[258]

Yes[259]

Yes[260]

Yes[261]

Yes[262]

Yes[263]

Yes[264]

Yes[265]

Yes[266]

No

No [267]

 

Yes[268]

Yes[269]

Yes[270]

Yes[271]

S. If registration is denied, can an organization reapply for registration if the problems are cured?

Yes[272]

Yes[273]

Yes[274]

 

Yes[275]

Yes

Yes

Yes[276]

There is no provision denying reapplying

 

Not specified by the legislation

 

Yes[277]

Yes[278]

Yes, within 60 days of denial of registration[279]

Probably[280]

T. To what body is appeal possible?

The Court of Appeal, and thereinafter, to the High Court[281]

Court of Justice[282]

Court of the Azerbaijan Republic[283]

Court[284]

Supreme Court

Administrative Court

Supreme Court

 Court[285]

Court[286]

 

Court[287]

The High Adminis-trative Court[288]

The tribunal[289]

Court[290]

Supreme Court[291]

Court[292]

 

 

II. Dissolution

 

 

 

 

 

See footnote[293]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. May a religious organization be voluntarily dissolved?

Yes[294]

Yes[295]

Yes.[296]

Yes[297]

Yes[298]

Yes[299]

Yes[300]

Yes[301]

Yes[302]

Yes [303]

Yes[304]

Yes[305]

Yes[306]

Yes[307]

Yes[308]

Yes[309]

B. Who has the authority to propose/instigate forced dissolution?

Competent state authorities.[310]

The Staff of the Government[311]

State Committee on issues of religious organizations

Courts, legislature, and city executive committees [312]

Ministry of Culture[313]

Ministry of Internal Affairs or other interested person[314]

Public Prosecutor[315]

Head of the Board of Religious Affairs, Procurator General[316]

Ministry of Justice[317]

 

The State Service on the Problems of the Cults[318]

The Minister (the Head of the Office for Denomina-tional Affairs and attorney)[319]

Any person interested can propose to the court of first instance.[320]

Court,[321] Ministry of Justice,[322] registering organ, prosecutor’s office, local administrative bodies[323]

Ministry of Culture as the registering authority[324]

The authorities entitled to register the religious organization or the public prosecutor.[325]

C. What are the grounds for forced dissolution?

See footnote[326]

Violation of laws of the Republic of Armenia[327]

Violation of the current legislation and carrying out illegal activities contrary to the established charter[328]

 

See footnote[329]

See footnote[330]

See footnote[331]

 

 

 

See footnote 66

See footnote[332]

See note[333]

 

Activities that pose a threat to society or undermine the state

 

C1. Violation of law or constitution?

Yes[334]

Yes[335]

Yes[336]

Yes[337]

Yes[338]

Yes

Yes[339]

Yes[340]

Yes[341]

Perhaps[342]

Yes[343]

Yes[344]

Yes[345]

Yes[346]

Yes[347]

Yes[348]

C2. Gross violation of law/constitution?

Yes[349]

Yes[350]

Yes[351]

Yes[352]

Yes[353]

Yes

Yes

Yes[354]

Yes[355]

Perhaps[356]

Yes[357]

Yes[358]

Yes[359]

Yes[360]

Yes[361]

Yes[362]

C3. Violation of public security, public order, or damage to the security of the state?

Yes[363]

Yes[364]

Yes[365]

Yes[366]

Yes[367]

Yes

No.  Only if laws are violated.

Yes[368]

Yes[369]

 

See footnote 66

 

Yes[370]

Yes[371]

Yes[372]

Yes[373]

C4. Actions directed toward the violent change of the bases of constitutional order or violation of the integrity of the state?

Yes[374]

Yes[375]

Yes[376]

Yes[377]

Yes[378]

Yes[379]

Yes

Yes[380]

Most likely [381]

 

See footnote 66

 

Yes[382]

No[383]

Yes[384]

Yes[385]

C5. Incitement of social, racial, national, or religious enmity?

Yes[386]

Yes[387]

Yes[388]

 

Yes[389]

Yes[390]

Yes

Yes[391]

Yes[392]

Yes[393]

 

Maybe[394]

 

Not specified, but likely[395]

No[396]

Yes[397]

Yes[398]

C6. Infringement of the morality or health of citizens?

Yes[399]

Yes[400]

Yes

Yes[401]

Yes[402]

Yes[403]

Yes[404]

Yes[405]

Yes[406]

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [407]

Yes[408]

Yes[409]

Yes[410]

C7. Infringement of persons, rights, or freedom of citizens?

Yes[411]

Yes[412]

Yes

Yes[413]

Yes[414]

Yes

Yes[415]

Not specified

Yes[416]

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [417]

Yes[418]

Yes[419]

Yes[420]

C8. Encouragement of suicide or refusal of medical care for religious motives for persons whose life or health are threatened?

Yes[421]

Not specified

Not specified

Yes[422]

See footnote[423]

Probably[424]

Yes[425]

Not specified

Not mentioned in the law.

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [426]

Yes[427]

 

Not mentioned.

Not specified

C9. Prevention of acquiring obligatory education?

Yes[428]

Not specified

Not specified

Yes[429]

See footnote[430]

Probably

No[431]

Not specified

Most likely[432]

 

No

 

Not specified, but likely [433]

Yes[434]

Most likely[435]

Not specified

C10. Compulsion of members and adherents or other persons to alienate property owned by them for use by the religious association?

Yes[436]

Yes[437]

Yes

 

Yes[438]

Probably[439]

Not likely[440]

Not specified

Maybe[441]

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [442]

Yes[443]

Not mentioned.

Probably[444]

C11. Prevention of citizens leaving the religious association under threat of harm to life, health, or property, if there is a danger of its actual fulfillment, or the application of force by other illegal means?

Yes[445]

Yes[446]

Yes[447]

Yes[448]

Yes[449]

Yes[450]

Not likely[451]

Not specified

Yes[452]

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [453]

Yes[454]

Yes[455]

No

C12. Encouragement of citizens to refuse to fulfill civic duties required by law?

Yes, if this constitutes a violation of any of the Albanian laws.

Yes[456]

See above

Yes [457]

Yes[458]

Possible

Not likely[459]

Yes[460]

Yes[461]

Perhaps[462]

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [463]

Yes[464]

Not mentioned

Yes[465]

C13. Encouragement to perform other illegal actions?

Yes, if this constitutes a criminal act pursuant to the Albanian Criminal Code or violation of any other laws.

 

See above

Yes[466]

Yes[467]

Possible

Not likely[468]

Yes[469]

Most likely[470]

 

See footnote 66

 

Not specified, but likely [471]

Yes[472]

Most likely[473]

Yes[474]

D. To what body may the religious association appeal dissolution?

To the Court of Appeals, and thereinafter to the High Court[475]

Court of justice[476]

Court of the Azerbaijan Republic[477]

 

Supreme Court

Administrative Court

The Supreme Court.[478]

Court[479]

Court[480]

 

See footnote 92

Court[481]

Not specified[482]

A higher court of instance[483]

Supreme Court[484]

No appeal mentioned

III. Financial Benefits of Registration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Is tax exemption available to religious organizations?

Yes[485]