Tags

Belarus

• Draft Law Threatens UN Appeals

  

  If the parliament of Belarus approves a draft law, individual citizens will be stripped of the legal privilege to issue justifiable complaints to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee about violations of their rights. The country's Deputy Foreign Minister, Igor Nazaruk, alleges that there has been an "arbitrary expansion" of the committee's powers, which is presently being addressed. However, human rights groups see this proposed law as a way of closing one of the last remaining opportunities for Belarusians to seek justice.

• Pastor Fined for Conducting Baptisms

  

  In October 2021, the Living Faith Church in Gomel, Belarus, was in need of a place to perform baptisms. Without the necessary facilities, the registered congregation gathered at a local river to hold the service. However, the law states that no religious activities are permitted to take place outside the approved facilities without prior authorization from the state. At the time, Pastor Dmitry Podlobko received an official warning, along with a fine.

• Evicted Church Warned to Stop Parking Lot Meetings

  

  Since purchasing a former cowshed in 2002 and converting it into a church building, the New Life Church in Minsk, Belarus, has faced opposition from government agencies. After years of court battles, officials accompanied by bailiffs forcefully entered the place of worship on February 17th, 2021, evicting church members from the building. For more information on the eviction, including a video clip, go to this report.

• Christian Worker Released from Custody

  

  In the previous week's Persecution & Prayer Alert, it was reported that Maria, the wife of a ministry training centre director, was suddenly arrested in Belarus on July 9th for unknown reasons. We are pleased to announce that shortly after the published report, Maria was released from custody.

• Ministry Partner Arrested

  

  Ivan and his wife Maria lead a ministry training centre in Belarus. On July 9th, Maria was suddenly arrested after government agents travelling in black vans arrived at their home and took her away. At last report, no formal charges have been laid, and her husband and children do not know her location.

• Congregants Evicted After Nearly 20-Year Struggle

  

  In 2002, the New Life Church purchased a cowshed on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus, for use as a church building. All government agencies approved the change of use, except for officials of the religious affairs department who repeatedly blocked the process. Harassment from this department has continued for several years.

• New Fines for Unregistered Worship

  

  On July 18th, criminal prosecutions for unregistered religious activities in Belarus came to an end. Although this would be good news for those who have faced prosecution in the past, it was replaced with fines up to five weeks' the average pay under the Administrative Code.

• Registration Refused for Church Activities

  

  Officials have rejected the registration application for the Pentecostal Your Will Be Done Church in Minsk for the sixth time after a government official pressured a potential landlord to not rent their facility to the church. Due to fear of punishment, the congregation has chosen to not meet for worship without registration.

• No New Church Registrations Allowed

  

  Evangelical church leaders in several countries of Central Asia face the question as to whether they should register with the local government, which can lead to pressure to compromise, or refuse registration and face arrest. In Belarus, however, the option to register may not be available.

• Police Raids Threaten Several Church Members

  Nearly three weeks after police raided a Sunday worship service in the city of Gomel, located in southeast Belarus, a court fined Pastor Sergei Nikolaenko on June 19th for leading an unapproved religious meeting. There are concerns that a criminal charge may be in preparation against him.

  Trouble began for Pastor Nikolaenko and his congregation on the afternoon of Sunday, May 31st when local police -- accompanied by the riot squad -- raided the Reformed Orthodox Transfiguration Church he was pastoring. Some 20 church members had gathered for worship in a rented venue within the city's Central District. On June 11th, a local authority commission banned further meetings from taking place, despite the church having been previously granted government registration. Additionally, police have searched Pastor Nikolaenko's home for "sectarian" literature, as well as the home of another participating church member.

  In another situation, an active member of a Council of Churches congregation in the nearby district of Svetlogorsk was fined on June 25th for refusing to provide the name of a fellow Christian who happened to be reading from the Bible when armed police raided the church during a Sunday worship service. Other believers in the country of Belarus are facing similar forms of prosecution, including the owner of a home where members had gathered to worship. (For more about the challenges facing Christians in this country, go to the Belarus Country Report.)

  Please uphold in prayer Pastor Nikolaenko, and others in Belarus who are facing much opposition for their faith, that they would sense God's peace and assurance throughout these trials. Pray that the publicized facts of each case will be used to raise awareness of their plight, thus garnering much needed prayer support from fellow Christians around the globe. As a result, may these persecuted believers be further strengthened in their walk with the Lord and even more determined to live wholeheartedly for Him. Also intercede for the citizens of Belarus who are in need of salvation -- including those in governmental authority -- asking that they be given an opportunity to hear the Gospel and come to faith in our Risen Saviour.