Religious organisation registration comes a step closer

THE PROSPECT of all religious organisations throughout the EU having to be registered, and unregistered groups being proscribed or subject to penalties, was brought a step closer at a conference in The Hague on June 24th and 25th, organised by the EU in conjunction with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

OSCE, set up in Helsinki in 1975 with most European countries except Albania as members, has hitherto concerned itself largely with defence and "peacekeeping" roles. Under new proposals every religious organisation or church would have to register with a new "Faith Commission." Bodies considered to be cults or sects would not receive registration and would be subject to as yet undefined penalties and restrictions.
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