On October 12, 2005, the Persecution & Prayer Alert reported on protests in Romania against a proposed law which could give too much power to the officially recognized religious organizations and discriminating against smaller religious groups (click here to read more). According to a January 31 report from Forum 18, the bill has passed the Senate without debate or amendment, despite amendments proposed from the Senate's Legal and Human Rights Committees. The bill is now before the Chamber of Deputies for final approval.