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The church leaders involved in the association are not optimistic that the authorities will allow the association to register as a social organization.

"We have the word 'religious' in our name," Pastor Brukh told Keston, "and the Ministry of Justice has said it will not register a social organization with such a name."

The authorities in Belarus have taken a number of measures in the last few years to restrict the activities of what they call `non-traditional' churches, which usually means all denominations and faiths, other than Russian Orthodoxy.

Copyright © 2001 Keston Institute

Read the U.S. State Department's Annual Report on Religious Freedom in Belarus for 1999 and 2000.

Previous Christianity Today stories about religious freedom in various Russian republics include:

Salvation Army Closed in Moscow | Moscow court decision turns city into a 'legal never-never land' for Christian charity. (Jan. 11, 2001)

Will Putin Protect Religious Liberty? | Freedoms may be in danger in the new Russia. (July 26, 2000)

A Precarious Step Forward | Loosened rules in Russia may mean better times for religious freedom. (Feb. 3, 2000)

Russia's minority churches welcome liberal ruling on religion law | 1997 ruling against 'sects' upheld, but religious groups claim victory. (Dec. 30, 1999)

Stepping Back from Freedom | The new law restricting religion is part of Russia's struggle to redefine itself. (Nov. 17, 1997)

New Religion Law Fraught with Potential for Abuses | (Nov. 17, 1997)

Jehovah's Witness Verdict Stalled | (April 26, 1999 )

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January (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45