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Reprieve for Adventist Church in Estonia
Tartu, Estonia .... [Bettina Krause/ANN]
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The president of Estonia has decided not to approve a law, passed by
the national parliament June 13, that would have denied legal
registration to religious organizations with foreign leadership.  Among
the groups that risked losing legal status were Jehovah's Witnesses,
the Russian Orthodox Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other
Protestant churches.

President Lennart Meri refused to proclaim the law because it contained
"disproportionate restrictions to the exercise of freedom of religion,"
according to a statement released June 29 by the president's press
office. The press release cited the Estonian Union of Seventh-day
Adventists as an example of a group that would be unfairly impacted by
the law.  

The law was aimed at religious organizations, rather than single
congregations. It would have denied registration to those groups whose
administrative or economic management takes place abroad, or whose
decisions need affirmation by leaders or administration abroad.

Tuno Jugar, president of the Adventist Church in Estonia, had written
to President Meri asking him not to approve the law in its current
form. He pointed out that passages in the legislation were in conflict
with Estonia's Constitution and with international conventions of
religious liberty.  

Leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church were also vocal about their
concerns, telling Keston News Service that the law would mean "the
complete de-legitimization of our church structure in that country."

The law would not have affected the status of the Roman Catholic
Church, which operates under a special agreement with the Estonian
government brokered by the Vatican.
 

ANN World News Bulletin is a review of news and information issued by
the Communication department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church
World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist
News Network. It is made available primarily to religious news editors.
Our news includes dispatches from the church's international offices
and the world headquarters.  The information provided in the Bulletin 
may be reproduced without permission providing that the source 
"Adventist News Network" is acknowledged. 

ANN Staff: Ray Dabrowski, director; 
Bettina Krause, news director; 
Ansel Oliver, editorial assistant. 
Copyright Adventist News Network 2001.