Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN2257
2004-10-12 12:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

GOAM REGISTERS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL AM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS YEREVAN 002257 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL AM
SUBJECT: GOAM REGISTERS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES


Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002257

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL AM
SUBJECT: GOAM REGISTERS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES


Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) The Armenian Ministry of Justice registered the
Jehovah's Witnesses as a legal entity on October 8.
Registration confers the right for religious groups to rent
meeting space, broadcast on radio and television, publish
magazines and newspapers, and it gives members of the
Jehovah's Witnesses clear status as conscientious objectors
under the recently approved Law on Alternative Military
Service.


2. (SBU) Since 1995, the Jehovah's Witnesses have sought
registration from the GOAM in thirteen separate
applications. Registration of the Jehovah's Witnesses
affirms Armenia's commitment to the Council of Europe to
"ensure that all Churches or religious communities, in
particular those referred to as 'non-traditional', may
practice their religion without discrimination." (Note:
Armenia also agreed to adopt a law on alternative military
service within three years of its accession in 2001, and to
pardon conscientious objectors. End Note.)


3. (SBU) As of October 12, ten members of the Jehovah's
witnesses are serving terms in prison for refusing military
service on religious grounds; four more are awaiting trial.
Hranush Kharatyan, Advisor to the Prime Minister on
Religious Affairs, told us that the GOAM was currently
working out a procedure to release conscientious objectors
who were previously sentenced to prison.
EVANS