For Immediate Release
July 12, 2010
RUSSE, Bulgaria—The Administrative Court in Russe, Bulgaria, upheld human rights and religious freedom in Bulgaria when, on Monday, May 31, 2010, the court ruled that citizens of the country have the right to share their religious beliefs in public places.
On January 8, 2010, Krassimir Savov, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, was sharing his beliefs with the citizens of Russe in the area know as Liberty Square. Municipality officers issued an act of administrative sanction against him for arranging a public meeting without approval. They argued that such an activity requires the approval of the municipality. Although Krassimir Savov had appealed this administrative sanction on March 30, 2010, he was fined 200 leva (US$120).
Krassimir Savov’s appeal was heard by the Administrative Court in Russe on Monday, May 31, 2010, and the judge reversed the decision and canceled the fine. This decision of the Court is an important step in protecting human rights, including the personal religious beliefs of all. The ruling is in full harmony with Bulgarian and international laws. In Article 5 of the Law on Religion and Article 9, Paragraph 1, of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to practice religion “publicly” is clearly set out. The Law on Religion deals with religious activity in Bulgaria. Article 6, Paragraph 1, Item 3, of that law explicitly includes the right to distribute religious publications, and Article 12, Paragraph 2, of that same document states: “Religions may organize public activities also outside their prayer houses.”
Worldwide, some 18 million people, Jehovah’s Witnesses and those favorable toward associating with them, peacefully meet together for worship. There are about 2 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in Europe, where they are legally registered in all countries of the European Union. In Bulgaria there are some 2,000 Witnesses. Their Christian lifestyle contributes to the well-being of the community in which they live.
Contact in Europe: European Association of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses
Telephone +32 2 782 0015
Contact United States: Office of Public Information
Telephone +1 718 560 5600
Contact Bulgaria: Hristo Nikolov, Office of Public Information
Telephone +359 879 001 845
Source: JW Media
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