Status of religious freedom Freedom of religion in Burkina Faso

1 status of religious freedom

1.1 legal , policy framework
1.2 restrictions on religious freedom
1.3 forced religious conversion
1.4 homosexuality

status of religious freedom
legal , policy framework

article 31 of constitution states burkina faso democratic, unitary , secular state .

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 constitution , laws protect right of individuals choose , change religion , provide right practice religion of 1 s choice. government observes , enforces these provisions. country secular state. islam, christianity, , traditional indigenous religious beliefs practiced freely without government interference. there no official state religion, , government neither subsidized nor favored particular religion. practice of particular religion not known confer advantage or disadvantage in political arena, civil service, military, or private sector.

the government establishes following religious holy days national holidays: eid al-adha, easter monday, ascension day, birth of prophet muhammad, assumption day, saints day, ramadan, , christmas day.

the government requires organizations, religious or otherwise, register ministry of territorial administration. registration confers legal status, entails no specific controls or benefits. according article 45 of freedom of association code, failure register may result in fine of approximately $97 $292 (50,000 cfa 150,000 cfa). government gives religious groups equal access registration , routinely approves applications. government taxes religious groups if engage in commercial activities, such farming , dairy production.

the constitution provides freedom of expression in publications , broadcasts, including religious groups, unless judicial system determines such expression harming public order or committing slander; judicial system has never made such determination. government did not deny publishing or broadcasting license religious group requested 1 during period covered report.

religious organizations operate under same regulatory framework publishing , broadcasting rights other entities. ministry of security has right request samples of proposed publications , broadcasts verify in accordance stated nature of religious group; however, there no reports religious broadcasters experienced difficulties regulation. additionally, government not grant special tax preferences religious organizations operating print or broadcast media.

foreign missionary groups operate freely , face few, if any, restrictions; however, missionary groups faced complicated bureaucratic procedures in pursuit of particular activities.

public schools not offer religious instruction. muslim, catholic, , protestant groups operate primary , secondary schools. although school officials have submit names of directors government , register schools, religious or otherwise, government not appoint or approve these officials.

the government not fund religious schools or require them pay taxes unless conduct for-profit activities. government reviews curriculum of religious schools ensure offer full standard academic curriculum. government, however, not interfere curriculum of supplemental classes offered private schools, such classes on bible or qur an.

the government taxes religious groups if engage in commercial activities, such farming or dairy production.

restrictions on religious freedom

government policy , practice contributed free practice of religion.

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.

homosexuality

homosexual activity legal in burkina faso, , country has neither passed law prohibiting such activity nor has ever criminalized it.