MINSK: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has approved a law tightening control over religious denominations and organizations, requiring all groups to reapply for state registration, with authorities retaining the right to reject applications.
This move is part of Lukashenko’s broader crackdown on dissent, which escalated after the disputed 2020 presidential election. Over 35,000 protesters were arrested that denounced the vote as rigged, and thousands faced violence in custody, leading many to leave the country to avoid prosecution.
Since 2022, involvement in unregistered organizations has been a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison.
Official data in 2023 indicated 3,417 registered religious groups in Belarus, where 80% are Orthodox Christians, nearly 14% are Catholics, and around 2% are Protestant. Some Catholic and Protestant churches provided support to 2020 anti-government protesters.
The new law grants authorities’ extensive powers to deny registration and close religious organizations. To be registered, a group needs at least one parish operating in Belarus for 30 years. All denominations must reapply within a year. The law bans those accused of extremist or terrorist activities from leading a religious organization and prohibits symbols other than religious ones during services. It also restricts gatherings in churches to services.
The Rev Zmitser Khvedaruk, a Protestant pastor, criticized the law as “repressive,” expressing concerns that Protestant churches, popular among the youth, could become the main target. He noted that churches might face a choice between ceasing activities or returning to a time when they operated underground.
Analysts suggest that Belarusian authorities aim to tighten control ahead of parliamentary elections in the next month and the 2025 presidential vote.
