wfn.org | Romania: Adventists Rejects Legislation on Religion

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

January 2, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Romania: Adventist Church Rejects Proposed Discriminatory 
Legislation on Religion 

Bucharest, Romania.     After reviewing a proposed new law 
on religious denominations in Romania, the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church's Executive Committee voted on 
November 26, 1999, to return the draft law to the Prime 
Minister's office with the response that it was "unacceptable."

The draft legislation seeks to establish a two-tier system of 
state recognition for religions: 15 are identified as fully 
recognized, while all others would be simply seen as 
"associations" with far fewer privileges under the law. Heavy 
penalties are to be imposed on any groups not registered by 
the state. 

The draft law was reviewed in a meeting on November 25 of 
the Parliamentary Commission for Human Rights, Religious 
Denominations and Ethnical Minorities.

"A significant number of representatives expressed their deep 
concern for the general tone of the draft which is perceived as 
very restrictive and discriminatory," comments Adrian 
Bocaneanu, president of the Adventist Church in Romania. 
"They deplored the fact that the draft was significantly altered 
since accepted by consensus by representatives of the 
religious denominations."

The Adventist Church was represented by Pastor Aron 
Moldovan, secretary general, and Pastor Viorel Dima, director 
for religious freedom and executive secretary of the Romanian 
branch of the International Association for the Defense of 
Religious Freedom.

Hope is growing for a better consensus on the legislative 
requirements. 

"There seems to be a growing awareness of the serious flaws 
of the draft and its very adverse reaction on the international 
scene at a time when Romania is more eager than ever for 
international approval and support," says Bocaneanu