U.S.
Department of State Human Rights Report 1998
The Constitution provides
for religious freedom, and the Government generally respects this
provision in practice. The Law on Religious Communities and Associations
was passed in October 1995. It grants religious communities, associations,
and centers property rights to prayer houses, homes, and other buildings
and permits construction necessary for their activities. Article 5
of this law mentions nine religious communities that have been declared
"traditional" by the law and therefore are eligible for
governmental assistance: Latin Rite Catholics, Greek Rite Catholics,
Evangelical Lutherans, Evangelical Reformers, Orthodox, Old Believers,
Jews, Sunni Muslims, and Karaites. There are no restrictions on the
activities of other religious communities.
Relations between the Government and the officially registered Jewish
community are good. However, the Hasidic Chabad Lubavich community
is having difficulties registering as a traditional Jewish religion.
The Ministry of Justice argues that the Chabad Lubavich is not a part
of Lithuania's historical, spiritual, or social heritage and therefore
cannot be registered as traditional (Article 5 of the Law on Religious
Communities and Associations). The Ministry states that the Chabad
Lubavich does not have a continuity of traditions and is a separate
branch of Judaism than that followed by the traditional Lithuanian
Jewish religious community. Furthermore, they state that the Hasidic
movement only began in Lithuania in the 18th century and has been
suspended twice. The Chabad Lubavich counter that the suspension of
their activity during the war years and after was imposed by Nazi
and Soviet occupiers. They also have protested the disassociation
of the Hasidic movement from Judaism. The Chabad Lubavich continue
to press for recognition as a traditional religion. They have been
allowed to operate a kindergarten.
Source: Country Reports
on Human Rights Practices for 1998, U.S. Department of State.
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