The constitution and other laws and policies generally protect religious freedom. The constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, inciting religious discrimination and inflaming religious hatred and intolerance.
The law codifies the government’s respect for religious freedom, legal status and rights of churches and other religious communities and their members, process of registration with the government, rights of registered religious groups, and responsibilities of the government’s Office for Religious Communities.
The constitution and military law provide for conscientious objection to military service based on “religious, philosophical, or humanitarian belief.”
There are no formal requirements for government recognition of religious groups, and activities of religious groups are unrestricted, regardless of whether they register with the government. However, religious groups must register with the Office for Religious Communities to be considered legal entities entitled to rebates on value added taxes. Religious groups must submit a basic application to the Office for Religious Communities providing proof that requirements are met, as well as the names of the group’s representatives in the country, a description of the foundations of the group’s religious beliefs, and a copy of its organizational act.
The government allows religious education in both private and state-subsidized school and preschools only on a voluntary basis outside of the school curriculum. Holocaust education remains mandatory in schools.
Individuals can file informal complaints of human rights violations by national or local authorities, including violations of religious freedom, with the human rights ombudsman.
The government is a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, formerly the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research.