Authorities Refuse to Lease Halls to Evangelical Christians

29.09.2004.

Maskowski borough administration refused to lease halls for public worships to Minsk “New Life” and the “Church of Jesus Christ” Churches (Association of Churches of Full Gospel Christians), as well as “The New Testament” and “Hope of Deliverance” Churches (Union of Evangelical Faith Christians). The official reason for refusal was that the religious communities “fail to provide sufficient measures for establishing post-control regime in churches, public security, and medical services”. Until this time the believers gathered in 2 buildings in the center of the city. The rejection document was signed by head of Maskowski borough administration Ya. M. Dukar and executive administrator N. U. Bazhenaw.

Pastors of Evangelical Churches claim the demands of the authorities are absurd. In their opinion, the relations between local administrations and Churches are dominated by a “telephone law”. “In such situation it is surprising to hear the statements of the Committee for Religious Affairs that we have a calm situation in the sphere of religious rights and freedoms”, says Barys Charnahlaz, pastor of Minsk “Church of Jesus Christ”.