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Religious Freedom Summary* (1997) Freedom of religion generally is respected in Cyprus. Although missionaries have the legal right to proselytize in both communities, missionary activities are closely monitored by the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church and by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot authorities. Mormon missionaries in the Greek Cypriot community experienced increased harassment during the year. Several anti-Mormon programs were aired on the Orthodox Church-owned television station. In April four missionaries were briefly detained by local police. In September Mormon missionaries in the major cities of Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca were called to police offices and interrogated extensively about their religious beliefs and church membership. They were not alleged to have committed any crimes but were told that the Orthodox Church opposed their presence in Cyprus. When informed of these events, senior Cypriot police authorities expressed their concern and promised to investigate; they later said that the events had been the "freelance" work of individual police and that they would not happen again. No further incidents have been reported. In December two Jehovah's Witnesses were imprisoned for 16 and 18 months respectively for refusing to perform required military service. They also refused alternative unarmed military service, which is available but requires an additional 10 to 16 months of service. Turkish Cypriots residing in the southern part of the island and non-Muslims in the north are allowed to practice their religion. Restrictions on the right of Greek Cypriots resident in the north to visit Apostolos Andreas monastery have been eased. These Greek Cypriots, in groups of 20 or more, may now visit the monastery every Sunday and on religious holidays. An application to replace a retiring priest is still pending. *Source: County Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997, U.S. Department of State |