Section II of the Macedonian Constitution on Basic Freedoms and Rights of the Individual and Citizen declares that all citizens are equal under the law and guarantees freedom of religious confession. The right to express one’s faith openly and freely in public or private is guaranteed. Furthermore, the right of reply via the mass media and the right to correction in the mass media are also guaranteed.
The Macedonian Orthodox Church is the only church mentioned in the constitution. While it is not officially recognized as the official state church, it exerts a great amount of influence and is favored by the government, particularly in acquisition of property and building permits. According to the 1996 US State Department Report on Human Rights, in 1995, the government destroyed at least two such houses which did not have permits and were being used as mosques. There is tension between the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox Church, because the Serbian Church does not recognize the Macedonian Church. In retaliation, the Macedonian government has refused entry to Serbian priests and restricted the ability of Serbian Orthodox believers to worship in Macedonia.
Protestant groups complain of harassment and vandalism to which the police have been slow to respond. They also complain that they are unable to obtain regular employment status for employment and have been prevented from holding meeting outside of their churches.
The Unification Church has been permitted to register only as the Unification
Movement with no reference to any religious terms. Since it is identified
as a family values organization, members requested that the name could
be changed to Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.
This request was denied. The Unification Movement is allowed to hold
public meetings, but if more than a few members and guests meet in a private
apartment, it is considered an illegal activity. If neighbors complain,
the police will intercede, and members may be taken to the police station
for interrogation and possibly be exiled from the country.
The Unification Church’s foreign missionaries have not been allowed to obtain visas, church members have been continually harassed by the police, physically assaulted and threatened with incarceration and torture. In 1996, Mr. Bulgaria, the national leader of the church, was evicted from the country for two years for attempting to register the church and hold meetings. He was not allowed to speak at his trial, nor was he allowed any legal counsel. This outrageous treatment occurs in an atmosphere that is inflamed by a negative media campaign against "dangerous sects."
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Macedonia
Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief Report on Macedonia
International Christian Concern Report on Macedonia
Orthodox Monk and Bishop fined, and another Bishop still jailed WorldWide Religious News, 1/28/04
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