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New Law To Prohibit Prosyletizing

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  • New Law To Prohibit Prosyletizing

    NEW LAW TO PROHIBIT PROSYLETIZING

    http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2012/07/31/kron
    03:22 pm | Today | Social

    Even though each citizen of the Republic of Armenia has the right to
    believe in the religion that he or she desires according to the RA Law
    "On Freedom of Conscience and Religion", Chief of the Department for
    Registration of Public Entities at the RA Ministry of Diaspora Edik
    Margaryan says he wouldn't let his child join a religious organization.

    The government will discuss the new draft law on freedom of conscience
    and religion on Thursday and will send it to the National Assembly
    for discussion upon confirmation.

    The new draft law defines the rights and responsibilities of
    religious organizations, which will be fined up to 400,000 drams for
    violations of those rights and responsibilities. The punishment may
    also be liquidation of the organization. According to the new draft
    law, prosyletizing and the sponsoring of activities of a religious
    organization on the part of foreigners are considered violations of
    the law.

    "If the religious organization approaches the same person more than
    once, be it at home or outside, this will be viewed as a violation
    of responsibilities and punishable by the law," said Edik Margaryan.

    An annual review of activities on the website or the provision of data
    to the authorized body is also part of the religious organizations'
    responsibilities.

    The new draft law on the freedom of conscience and religion also
    gives religious groups with more than 25 members the opportunity to
    register as religious organizations. According to the existing law,
    the group is considered a group only in the case of 200 members.

    If there are discrepancies between the religious group and the rights
    and responsibilities by the law to be confirmed, the new draft law
    assumes establishment of consensus.

    Head of the Department for Religion of the RA Government Vardan
    Astsatryan stressed the danger of such a policy (groups can increase)
    and mentioned that "this assumed the revelation of small religious
    groups".

    The head of the department for religion also stressed another flaw in
    the draft law, that is, the activities of the religious groups that
    appeal for registration as religious organizations aren't examined
    by experts.

    "If those worshipping Satan appeal to us, we will have to receive
    them."

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