Head of the Shirak diocese is convinced the Armenian Apostolic Church will not lose power

Human rights activist Artur Sakunts, Head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor believes that the RA law on freedom of conscience and religion is a disputable law which is targeted against non-Apostolic churches.

According to him, the amendments foreseen in the law will worsen already tense interreligious relations, “God forbid, those amendments are approved. The law already violates the freedom of conscience, beliefs and religion. It provides the Government with mechanisms to intervene and regulate my beliefs and this should not be under the Government’s authorization”.

Analyzing the recommended amendments, the human rights activist has recorded biased conditions.  “For instance, it is stated that all other organizations can be dissolved except for the Apostolic Church.  Does it mean the freedom of conscience of the members of religious organizations will be dissolved? The law cannot give an answer to this question.”Sakunts also believes that it is wrong to define by law that an organization should be registered if more than 25 people have gathered. As to the fines for proselytism, Mr. Sakunts joked, “Do you think Religious Police should be created to control and carry out the punishments? If I willfully convert, whose business is it what religion I profess”?

Unlike Mr. Sakunts, the head of the Shirak Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop, Mikael Ajapahian is not concerned over the law. He is convinced that the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church will not fade with this draft law. “More attenuating conditions are created for religious organizations through this law, in the name of God, let them create it, by this, the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church will neither decrease nor will we lose any believers.” According to the Archbishop, the bad thing is that in Armenia, no one seriously struggles against religious organizations. “No attempt to prohibit the activities of religious organizations has ever been made by law, only an illusion over prohibition has been created; however, more opportunities have been opened for religious organizations.” In the Archbishop’s opinion, in spite of a greater choice of opportunities provided to religious organizations, they did not have much success.  “The law is targeted at deviating the attention of people from serious issues. None of the human rights freedoms is resolved in Armenia, but why did they suddenly decide to show that freedom of conscience is perfectly resolved?  They have been discussing and pointing out for 20 years that the Armenian Apostolic Church has been hindering, but we have not obstructed anyone and moreover, are not willing to do so. It is simply an ideological struggle and the Armenian Apostolic church has won the struggle for centuries and will win today.”

Samvel Navoyan, Secretary of Partnership of Evangelical Churches also sees positive tendencies in the legislative project regarding the reinstatement of the right of religious organizations to freely spread beliefs.  He is concerned with the provision making proselytism criminally punishable, “We recommend using the term of improper conversion instead of proselytism.  Besides, the authors of law on proselytism note that the provision of monetary and social benefits to people, otherwise termed as benevolence, becomes a proselytism.”The representatives of religious organizations do not approve of the criminalization of the proselytism in the new bill. According to the representatives, those amendments will lead to religious prosecution and application of improper punishment measures.

This legislative project will be proposed to the Venice Commission of Council of Europe for discussion in the upcoming months, after which it will be presented to the NA.

www.aravot.am