The Constitution states that free practice of religion is permitted, but the 1992 law on religions contains restrictions that inhibit the activities of some religious groups. The law requires religious groups to register with the government. In 2002 the law was amended to simplify registration. the government has recognized 21 religious groups. Some others have been denied registration, including the True Orthodox Moldova, Mormons, Methodists, some Baptist groups, and the Spiritual Organization of Muslims. Authorities in Transnistria have been attempting to annul the registration of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Unregistered groups are not permitted to buy land or construct churches or seminaries.
An amendment in 1999 legalized proselytizing while at the same time forbidding "abusive" proselytizing. An article on religion in the Criminal Code, adopted by Parliament in 2002, provides punishment for "preaching religious beliefs or fulfillment of religious rituals, which cause harm to the health of citizens, or other harm to their persons or rights, or instigate citizens not to participate in public life or of the fulfillment of their obligations as citizens." As of 2003, no prosecutions have occurred under this article.
The Orthodox Church is not designated as the official state religion, but it exercises considerable influence with the government. The Moldovan Orthodox church is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church. In March 2002, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Moldova was violating the European Convention of Human Rights by not registering the Bessarabian Orthodox Church, which had split off from the Moldovan Orthodox Church, subordinating itself to the Bucharest Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church. As a result, the government reversed its ten year policy and has registered the church.
2003 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Report on Moldava
International Christian Concern Report on Moldova
MOLDOVA: Muslims vow to defy "illegal" worship ban WorldWide Religious News 3/11/04
Search Amazon.com for books on religious freedom in Moldova