U.S. Report Critical of Belgium's Treatment of Religious Minorities

September 17, 2004

Source: Expatica

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=11964&name=US+criticises+religious+freedom+in+Belgium

On September 17, 2004 Expatica reported, "A major new report by the US State Department says certain religious groups still face discrimination in Belgium. The State Department's International Religious Freedom report is published once a year and the 2004 edition had some critical words when it came to Belgium. Although the report conceded that the Belgian constitution provides for religious freedom and that, 'the government generally respects this,' it nevertheless highlighted areas where some religious groups felt they were being unfairly treated. The report was particularly critical of the fact that Belgium defines the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), the Young Women's Christian Association and the Church of Scientology as, 'harmful sectarian organisations.' While this definition has no legal weight it has caused problems for some of the groups concerned, the report argues."