Armenia shows amendments to the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations"

The Armenian Ministry of Justice has presented amendments to the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations", which assumes, inter alia, criminal liability for forced involvement of people in non-traditional religious organizations, groups and sects, and introduces the term "soul fishing" (proselytizing).

"The current Armenian legislation lacks a clear definition of the above term 'proselytizing', which is an obvious omission. The proposed amendments present its definition, which assumes criminal and administrative liability for some of its manifestations," said Karine Kalantaryan, the press secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

According to Article 4, Part 3, of the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations", "proselytizing" is defined as "any preaching of religious character with the use of physical and psychological violence against people of other religious beliefs, other religions and other viewpoints, with the aim to enforce apostasy; as well as involvement in one's organization through the use of material incentives or dependent status of people and their relatives; incitement to hatred and hostility against other religious faiths, beliefs and institutions; persecution of people for two or more times, as well as of minors aged under 14 years without the knowledge of their parents or guardians."

At the moment, the bill was sent to the Venice Commission for examination.