Status of religious freedom Freedom of religion in Angola

1 status of religious freedom

1.1 legal , policy framework
1.2 restrictions on religious freedom
1.3 forced religious conversion
1.4 improvements , positive developments in respect religious freedom

status of religious freedom
legal , policy framework

the constitution provides freedom of religion, , government respected right in practice. government @ levels sought protect right in full , did not tolerate abuse, either governmental or private actors.

the government requires religious groups petition legal status ministries of justice , culture. legal status gives religious groups right act juridical persons in court system, secures standing officially registered religious groups, , allows them construct schools , churches. groups must provide general background information , have @ least 100,000 adult adherents qualify registration.

the christian holy days of christmas , friday national holidays no negative impact on other religious groups.

public schools not require religious instruction. government permits religious organizations , missions legal status establish , operate schools.

restrictions on religious freedom

government policy , practice contributed free practice of religion.

the ministries of justice , culture recognize 85 denominations. more 800 other religious organizations, many of congolese- or brazilian-based christian evangelical groups, have registration applications pending inar. not meet membership requirement of @ least 100,000 members , not eligible receive legal status, government has not barred activity. inar reported muslim community, represented central mosque of luanda, close meeting registration requirements , expected gain official legal status.

members of clergy regularly use pulpits criticize government policies, though church leaders report self-censorship regarding particularly sensitive issues. catholic church-owned radio ecclesia broadcast in luanda province , hosted spirited debates spanned political spectrum , @ times quite critical of government policies. media law, however, requires nonpublic radio networks have physical presence in province broadcast there. due limited financial capacity, requirement affects radio ecclesia s ability expand outside of luanda.

the government banned 17 religious groups in cabinda on charges of practicing harmful exorcism rituals on adults , children accused of witchcraft, illegally holding religious services in residences, , not being registered. although law not recognize existence of witchcraft, abusive actions committed while practicing religion illegal. members of these groups not harassed, 2 leaders convicted in 2006 of child abuse , sentenced 8 years imprisonment.

there no reports of religious prisoners or detainees in country.

forced religious conversion

there no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor u.s. citizens had been abducted or illegally removed united states, or of refusal allow such citizens returned united states.

improvements , positive developments in respect religious freedom

angola country in world not recognize islam religion. in february 2006 government closed 3 mosques holding services authorities claimed disrupted public order impeding flow of traffic. local muslim leaders worked inar negotiate agreement allowed mosques reopen december 2006.

the catholic church confirmed government agreed fund construction of schools , churches in restitution property seized during angolan civil war.