GENEVA — On March 5, 2025, a packed room at the Palais des Nations in Geneva bore witness to a sobering reality: governments around the world are using registration laws to systematically silence religious minorities. Hosted by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), the event brought together advocates, pastors, and human rights experts to expose how bureaucratic hurdles and legal restrictions are being weaponized against communities seeking to worship freely.
From Sri Lanka to Burundi, speakers painted a vivid picture of systemic discrimination, where arbitrary membership thresholds, surveillance, and land-use restrictions have become tools of control. Janet Epp Buckingham, Director of WEA’s Geneva office, opened the session by emphasizing that Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees freedom of religion or belief—but these rights are increasingly under threat due to restrictive laws.
Susan Kerr, Senior Advisor on Freedom of Religion or Belief with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), highlighted the dangers of conflating registration with recognition. “State permission is not needed and should not be a condition for the exercise of freedom of religion or belief,” she said, underscoring that such rights belong to everyone, regardless of whether their beliefs are popular or unpopular.
A Patchwork of Oppression: Case Studies from Around the World
In Sri Lanka , Mike Gabriel of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance described how a 2022 circular mandates state approval for Christian gatherings—even in private homes. Since 2015, over 100 churches have faced demands to register or shut down. “The misuse of administrative circulars […] making registration mandatory effectively turns state approval into a requirement for public religious practice,” Gabriel warned. Even churches incorporated by acts of parliament, which offer higher legal protection, have been pressured to comply.
Moving to Serbia , Samuil Petrovski of the Serbia Evangelical Alliance explained how the 2006 religious law privileges “traditional” groups like the Serbian Orthodox Church, granting them automatic recognition while requiring Protestant communities to secure 100 signatures to register. For a population where evangelical Christians make up just 0.5%, this threshold is prohibitively high. “True religious freedom will allow the church of 20 people to register and to have their own identity,” Petrovski argued. Many small churches are forced to join umbrella organizations, losing autonomy.
In Turkey , Pastor Ramazan Arkan detailed how Christian converts face job loss or social ostracization if they list their faith on ID cards. Historical Christian sites are repurposed as mosques, while congregations meet in storefronts. Foreign volunteers aiding churches are banned via the “82 code,” leading to closures. “Religious affiliation attached all the Turkish identity records… can lead serious acts of discrimination in schools and places of work,” Arkan said.
Finally, a speaker from Burundi whose face image was protected during the event, revealed how a 2022 law requires 300–500 members for registration—an unattainable threshold for impoverished communities. Leaders must hold bachelor’s degrees, and buildings must meet costly sanitation standards. Over 60 pastors were arrested in 2024 for unauthorized services. “This seems unattainable in the face of extreme poverty and low income membership,” Mehari remarked, warning that the law risks affecting larger churches over time.
Dr. Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, offered a comprehensive closing reflection that tied together the diverse experiences shared during the WEA event. She highlighted the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, emphasizing Article 6, which outlines the rights of religious communities to worship, establish charitable institutions, produce publications, solicit contributions, train representatives, and celebrate holidays. Despite these protections, many states impose restrictions under the guise of land safety, zoning, and planning, disproportionately burdening minorities. Ghanea warned against framing the ability of religious communities to gather as a “charitable concession” by the state, reminding participants that freedom of religion or belief is a birthright, not something granted by governments. She also criticized the enforcement of religious affiliation on ID cards, noting its severe consequences for education, employment, marriage, and inheritance. Harmony and national security are often cited as grounds for restricting religious freedoms, yet these justifications lack legal basis under international human rights law.
Ghanea further addressed the issue of surveillance and securitization of religious communities, arguing that freedom of religion or belief should not require state surveillance or harassment. She stressed the importance of enabling religious groups to gather independently, which fosters societal acceptance and reduces state control. Additionally, she drew attention to the plight of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees who may face unique challenges accessing places of worship due to geographic constraints or legal barriers. Ghanea concluded by urging states to recognize the collective aspects of community life, particularly for minorities, and to ensure that registration regulations do not disproportionately burden smaller or less established groups. By acknowledging the independence and societal acceptance that comes with allowing religious communities to gather freely, states can move closer to fulfilling their obligations under international human rights treaties. Her remarks underscored the urgent need for reform and accountability in safeguarding religious freedoms globally.
During the Q&A, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang of BPSOS exposed Vietnam’s paradox: registered churches collaborate with the government to suppress dissenting congregations, leaving thousands stateless. When asked about government rationales for arbitrary membership thresholds, Petrovski replied: “They openly said the government would like to have better control of who is registering, who is not.” Meanwhile, Pastor Arkan noted that requirements like land size and building codes disproportionately burden small churches.
Jordan of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) raised concerns about “one-size-fits-all” laws, citing Laos’ demand for multi-acre plots for church registration—a hurdle insurmountable for small congregations. Susan Kerr pointed to OSCE guidelines advocating for tailored approaches that balance legitimate regulation with non-discrimination.
As the session concluded, Janet Epp Buckingham thanked the panelists and co-sponsors, urging attendees to access resources like the OSCE guidelines and reports from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance. “These are not abstract debates,” she reminded the audience. “Behind every law is a pastor fearing arrest, a mother hiding her faith, a community fighting for survival.”
The WEA event underscored a chilling truth: registration laws are not about order—they are about power. And as long as states wield them to silence the marginalized, the fight for religious freedom will remain a battle for human dignity.
