ARMENIA LAW COULD BAN EVANGELISM
Paolo Gallini

Religious Intelligence Ltd
ewsID=3826
Feb 10 2009
UK

If two draft Laws which began passage through Armenia’s Parliament
on 5 February are adopted, spreading one’s faith would be banned,
Forum 18 News Service has learnt.

Those who organise campaigns to spread their faith would face up to
two years’ imprisonment, while those who engage in spreading their
faith would face up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of more than
eight years’ minimum wages. Gaining legal status would require 1,000
adult members, while Christian communities which do not accept the
doctrine of the Trinity would be barred from registering.

"These proposed Laws contain violations of all human rights." Russian
Orthodox priest Fr David Abrahamyan told Forum 18.

Religious affairs official Vardan Astsatryan told Forum 18 the
government backs the draft Laws "in general".

He declined to explain why the government has not involved the OSCE
in preparation of the draft Laws.