Moldova. A number of minority religious groups in the separatist region of Transnistria, an area not under the control of the central government, were denied registration and were subjected to official harassment. There were several acts of ant-Semitism in Transnistria including the desecration of a Jewish cemetery and the attempted burning of a synagogue. There is no state religion; however, the Moldovan Orthodox Church receives some special treatment from the government in Moldova proper.
Russia. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and the Government generally respects this right in practice; however, conditions deteriorated somewhat for some minority religious faiths. Popular attitudes toward traditionally Muslim ethnic groups are negative in many regions, and there are manifestations of anti-Semitism, as well as societal hostility, toward Catholics and newer, non-Orthodox religions. Instances of religiously motivated violence occur, although it often is difficult to determine whether xenophobia, religion, or ethnic prejudices were the primary motivation behind violent attacks. Government officials have spoken out against anti-Semitism and xenophobia. Several aspects of the 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience provide a basis for actions that restrict religious freedom. These include the provisions allowing the Government to ban religious organizations and establishing procedures for their liquidation (dissolution as a legal entity), such as the banning and liquidation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow in early 2004. Activists claiming ties to the Russian Orthodox Church disseminated negative publications and staged demonstrations throughout the country against Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, and religions new to the country. However, a large number of foreign missionaries operate in the country, many from Protestant denominations. Human rights groups and religious minority groups have criticized the Procurator General for encouraging legal action against some minority religions and for giving an imprimatur of authority to materials that are biased against Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and others. A court recently ordered the closing of an anti-Semitic newspaper, and some religious groups have benefited from property restitution. The federal security bureau, the Procurator, and other official agencies have conducted campaigns of harassment against Muslims, Catholics, some Protestant groups, and newer religious movements.
Turkey. A sharp debate continued over the country’s definition of "secularism" and the proper role of religion in society. The Government imposes some restrictions on Muslim and other religious groups and on Muslim religious expression, such as religious dress, in government offices and state run institutions, including universities. Although Parliament has removed some of the legal obstacles for religious minorities, such as building and maintaining churches, some Protestant Christian groups, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Baha’is continued to face restrictions and occasional harassment, including detentions for alleged proselytizing or unauthorized meetings. The more radical Islamic groups continued to express anti-Jewish sentiments. Additionally, persons wishing to convert from Islam experienced social harassment and violence from relatives and neighbors. Some members of non-Muslim religious groups claim they have limited career opportunities in government or military service.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
Lemme see, uhm, working to bring back Cthulhu from the city of R'lyeh, and trying to organize an anarcho-syndicalist soccer league. And then there's the grow-op, but we don't talk about that. As for child-care, those thieving street urchins are almost as much bother as the revenue they bring in, so I'd have to call that a break-even.
2 - Eric Olsen
Say, do you know a guy named "Artful Dodger"?
3 - Jim Carruthers
But I do know about food, glorious food. But, yah, I might have seen him. Who wants to know?
4 - Eric Olsen
his mum misses him