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The European retreat from religious liberty Karen S. Lord1 Religious intolerance is on the rise in the participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Recent trends are chilling. In 1997 and 1998, the OSCE participating States of Russia, Macedonia, Uzbekistan and Austria passed laws restricting religious liberty. Over the past three years the parliaments of Belgium, France, and Germany each established commissions to study 'dangerous sects and cults' that have led to a profound discrimination and harassment of targeted groups. The closed and secretive manner in which these investigations were carried out and the accompanying media campaign created a profoundly negative climate bordering on hysteria and fueling intolerant elements in these societies. Specifically, reports issued by the Belgian Parliament (1997) and French Parliament (1996) listed groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'is, Hindus, and charismatic Protestant and Catholic groups, and implicitly warn the public to avoid such 'dangerous groups'. Suspect activities include 'recruitment' through evangelistic outreach and distribution of tracts, activities clearly within the internationally recognized right to free expression. Government action has gone further in Austria, France, and Belgium. Official information centers have been established in these countries to disseminate government information on
Helsinki Monitor (in 2008 continued as Security and Human Rights) – Brill
Published: Jan 1, 1998
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