Belarus

In law and practice, the Belarus government continues to violate its citizens' freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Althought the consituation provides for the equality of religions and denominations, the Orthodox Church is the only offically recognised denomination. All religious activity is monitored by the secret police, and a religion law introduced in 2002, makes unregistered religious activity a criminal offense. Many churches have to wait several years to register, but participation in unregistered religious groups results in a two-year term of imprisonment or heavy court-imposed fines. Foreign Christian workers face many government-imposed obstacles, including deportation and visa refusal, and the law resticts the ability of religious organisations providing education for children.

Examples of Persecution:

• In March 2012 a pastor was twice fined more than a months' avaerage wages for leading an unregistered church.
• In July 2010 a pastor was fined three times in one day for sharing his faith in a local village.

Open Doors is: monitoring this country

Please Pray:

• For the churches who have to register their congregations
• For Christian parents to have wisdom in raising their children in knowing the Lord
• For the government to change its attitude toward foreign Christian workers