Overview:

• The existent recognition system primarily focuses on legal registration; however, the provision of legal registration in Belarus does not correspond to

• The vertical system in which different procedures exist for the categories of registration exists to segment and ultimately hinder religious activity as perpetuated through the bureaucratic system; the system is based on a hierarchy of membership quotas.

• The mandatory registration laws severely contravene the Bielefeldt provision.

• Excessive and intrusive informational requirements make the process of registration particularly censorious; this approach by the government highlights their commitment to censoring religious activity.

• Laws on religious activities and events are heavily censorious, so much so that even private residences are not legally permissible to hold religious events without first being granted state permission.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Disestablish and dismantle the abusive recognition and registration system so that a new one that is more receptive may take its place in order for Belarus to climb the Spectrum of Religious Recognition.

• Dissolve mandatory registration and excessive requirements.

• Exchange vertical recognition for horizontal.

• Provide genuine legal registration and provide existential recognition.