Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 65
--supervise application of the statutes of organizations applying for registration
--study and adopt any amendments needed to the legal system, especially as
regards nonprofit bodies and charities, in order to facilitate supervision of their
financial and fiscal affairs
--circulate information to magistrates, judges, and tax authorities on violations of
individual liberties
--provide specialized information concerning the prevention and reporting of offenses
committed by sects
--draw up and apply very strict criteria for granting subsidies, particularly to
rehabilitation centers
--appoint guardians for minors, especially those abandoned by parents who have
joined sects which may prevent them from fully exercising their parental authority
and providing their children with the necessary care
--ratify international agreements on the abduction of minors and generally
disseminate information on sects.
The other member states refer to freedom of religion or to freedom of conscience and
worship.
6. Restrictions on the Activities of Sects in Council of Europe Member States, and
Sanctions Applied
The delegations' answers to the questionnaire paint a fairly uniform picture: generally, there
are no special restrictions on the activities of sects, which are protected by the principles of
freedom of conscience and religion. Potential restrictions are thus the same as those which
apply to that freedom.
Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein
make compliance with public policy (ordre public) a condition. Public decency and/or morals
must be respected in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom,
and Ireland.
Some countries impose other conditions:
Switzerland indicates that public policy (ordre public) covers security, tranquility,
public health and morals, and good faith in business transactions and that the
restrictions needed to protect public policy apply to spoken and written propaganda,
hawking or peddling and collections. Some forms of religious therapy are forbidden.
Conformity with the law is a condition in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg,
Liechtenstein, and Norway. Presumably, this also applies even in countries which
have not expressly said so.
In Cyprus, all religions whose teaching or rites are not secret may operate freely.
In Spain, the severest sanction is being declared unlawful banning is provided for in
Finland and Switzerland.
7. Case-Law on Sects
The delegations' replies indicate that there is very little case-law on sects.
Portugal points out, for example, that there can be no case-law on the activities of sects, in
view of the declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based
on religious or other convictions.
--supervise application of the statutes of organizations applying for registration
--study and adopt any amendments needed to the legal system, especially as
regards nonprofit bodies and charities, in order to facilitate supervision of their
financial and fiscal affairs
--circulate information to magistrates, judges, and tax authorities on violations of
individual liberties
--provide specialized information concerning the prevention and reporting of offenses
committed by sects
--draw up and apply very strict criteria for granting subsidies, particularly to
rehabilitation centers
--appoint guardians for minors, especially those abandoned by parents who have
joined sects which may prevent them from fully exercising their parental authority
and providing their children with the necessary care
--ratify international agreements on the abduction of minors and generally
disseminate information on sects.
The other member states refer to freedom of religion or to freedom of conscience and
worship.
6. Restrictions on the Activities of Sects in Council of Europe Member States, and
Sanctions Applied
The delegations' answers to the questionnaire paint a fairly uniform picture: generally, there
are no special restrictions on the activities of sects, which are protected by the principles of
freedom of conscience and religion. Potential restrictions are thus the same as those which
apply to that freedom.
Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein
make compliance with public policy (ordre public) a condition. Public decency and/or morals
must be respected in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom,
and Ireland.
Some countries impose other conditions:
Switzerland indicates that public policy (ordre public) covers security, tranquility,
public health and morals, and good faith in business transactions and that the
restrictions needed to protect public policy apply to spoken and written propaganda,
hawking or peddling and collections. Some forms of religious therapy are forbidden.
Conformity with the law is a condition in Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg,
Liechtenstein, and Norway. Presumably, this also applies even in countries which
have not expressly said so.
In Cyprus, all religions whose teaching or rites are not secret may operate freely.
In Spain, the severest sanction is being declared unlawful banning is provided for in
Finland and Switzerland.
7. Case-Law on Sects
The delegations' replies indicate that there is very little case-law on sects.
Portugal points out, for example, that there can be no case-law on the activities of sects, in
view of the declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based
on religious or other convictions.
