News on the topic: freedom of conscience
22.01.2009 No progress in case of New Life church
The New Life Protestant church has not yet received any official explanation from Minsk City Economic Court, which turned down its claim against Minsk city authorities on 13 January. The believers say they are ready to defend their church unless it regains its official status.
21.01.2009 BCD to hold seminar on freedom of conscience
Today, on 21 January, Minsk will host a round table discussion on the freedom of conscience in Belarus, organized by the Belarusian Christian Democracy movement. The seminar will cover the issues of the New Life church and the deportation of foreign priests, as well as the pros and cons of the law ‘On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations’. The event will be attended by representatives of various churches, human rights experts, politicians, diplomats and journalists.
08.01.2009 Belarusian authorities continue expelling foreign priests
Deputy parish priest of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary church wasn’t prolonged his permit for religious activity in Belarus.
16.12.2008 Riot police detained church minister for evangelization
Minister of New Life Church (Full Gospel Churches Association) Siarhei Lukanin was detained by riot policemen for evangelization in Minsk.
15.12.2008 Three Polish priests will have to leave Belarus
According to the ruling of the Committee on the affairs of nations and religious, three Polish priests working on the territory of Hrodna diocese will have to leave the country as their terms of stay are not extended.
11.11.2008 KGB is interested in priest’s activities
On 5 November Siarhei Vashkevich, an aide of a protestant pastor Viachaslau Hancharenka at Novaye Zhyttsio church, received a writ from KGB. According to this document, he was to come to Minsk and Minsk oblast KGB department on at 2 p.m. on 10 November for giving explanations.
16.10.2008 Pastor goes to jail
According to Radio Liberty, Pastor Veniamin Brukh was put to Minsk deportee detention center by Belarusian customs officers. The reason for detention remains unknown.
02.07.2008 Hrodna: 1st National TV Channel vs. Uniate Christians
Believers of Hrodna Greek-Catholic parish of Our Lady of Fatima have addressed the administration of the 1st National Channel of the State TV and Radion Company of Belarus with an open letter. The reason is the broadcast of the film about Brest Union in the ‘Chronicle of Times’ cycle.
25.04.2008 Protestant pastor Hancharenka fined again
On April 25th Maskouski court judge Uladzimir Audzeyenka recognized pastor of the “New Life” Church Viachaslau Hancharenka guilty of violation of Article 9.10 of the Administrative Code (Violation of the legislation about elections, referenda, about recalling of citizens and implementation of the right of legislative initiative of citizens). The pastor was fined 40 basic units (about 700 US dollars).
24.03.2008 Pastor fined for religious service
On March 6th in Zhodzina Valiantsin Luhouski, pastor of the Evangelical Church of St. Trinity was triad. He was fined 175, 000 BYR for violation of the Law “about Mass Event in the Republic of Belarus”.
13.03.2008 Minsk Authorities Evict Pastor Hancharenka and His Family from Their House
The pastor of the New Life church Vyachaslau Hancharenka has received an order of the Tsentralny District of Minsk. The pastor, living with his family on Repin Street in a private house, was suggested to ruin it.
10.03.2008 Pastor of ‘New Life’ Church Fined
Maskouski district court of Minsk ruled to fine the past of the New Life Church Viachaslau Hancharenka 250 000 rubles for non-implementation of the prosecutor’s ruling.
06.03.2008 Pastor of Jesus Christ Church Complains to Mazyr Authorities
On 4 March Siarhei Suzko, pastor of the parish of full gospel Christians of the Jesus Christ Church, directed complaints to Mazyr district executive committee, Mazyr town prosecutor’s office and Homel oblast executive committee against the actions of workers of the ideological department of Mazyr town executive committee.
03.03.2008 Mazyr Authorities Hinder Meeting of Protestants
On 29 February, at 8 p.m., the police and workers of the ideological department of Mazyr district executive committee paid an unexpected visit to the private house of the pastor of the Full Evangel Church of Jesus Christ in Mazyr.
19.02.2008 Authorities Want to Try Pastor Hancharenka
The pastor of the New Life Church Viachaslau Hancharenka has received a summons from Maskouski district prosecutor’s office of Minsk. On 19 February at 4 p.m. he will meet with the deputy prosecutor Zmitser Zyrianau, who wants to draw up a violation report, because the believers did not let in representatives of the fire service despite the prosecutor’s warrant.
