The constitution of Georgia provides for religious freedom. However, The Georgian Orthodox enjoys tax-free status not available to other faiths, and Georgia’s tradition of religious tolerance is being challenged by the Georgian Orthodox Church’s resistance to missionary activity by evangelical Christian and other missionaries. The Georgian Orthodox Church has publicly taken the position that foreign missionary activity should be confined to non-Christian areas of the country.
The government of Georgia is in the process of working out final details of a Concordat with the Georgian Orthodox Church regarding relations between these two and the return of properties to the Georgian Orthodox Church. A stronger relationship between the government and the Georgian Orthodox Church may result in further favoritism and discriminatory treatment of minority religions. Currently there is no requirement that religious organizations register with the government. Religious groups that perform charitable work may register as charitable organizations. Unregistered organizations find it difficult to rent space or conduct legal activities.
The Jehovah's witnesses have had their registration revoked making it difficult for them to rent property or hold meetings. Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced attacks by Orthodox extremists. In one such case a busload of Jehovah's witnesses on its way to attend a convention was attacked as was the convention center itself. In some cases, police have failed to intervene to protect Jehovah's Witnesses, sometimes using the revocation of their registration as an excuse.
Other minority groups have also faced attacks by police and/or harassment by the police. In 2000, a hare Krishna facility was raided and literature seized. Assemblies of God, Baptist congregations, and Pentecostals have experienced attacks by Orthodox extremists.
The Roman Catholic and Armenian Orthodox church have had difficulty obtaining the return of property confiscated during the period of Soviet rule. The Jewish community has also had difficulty regaining control of a synagogue that the government rented to a theatre group.
2003 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Report on Georgia
2001 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Georgia
The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief report on Georgia
2002 Amnesty International Report on Georgia
GEORGIA: Will violent attackers of religious minorities be punished? WorldWide Religious News 8/16/04