The constitution provides for freedom of religion and worship and prohibits political parties based on religious affiliation. The law also states that the country has no national religion. By decree and practice, however, the government gives preference to the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformed Church of Equatorial Guinea, the only religious groups not required to register their organization or activities with the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, and Penitentiary Institutions (MJRAPI). The government provides funds to the Catholic Church and its schools for educational programming. Catholic masses remained a normal part of official ceremonial functions. A decree requires all religious groups except the Catholic Church to seek authorization for religious activities outside the prescribed hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or outside of registered places of worship, and the law requires a permit for door-to-door proselytism. The authorities routinely granted permission for religious groups to proselytize and to hold activities outside of registered places of worship, but generally denied permission for religious activities not within the prescribed hours. Evangelical Christian groups continued to hold activities outside the prescribed period.
There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.
U.S. embassy representatives met with government officials, including the Director General of Religion in the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, and Penitentiary Institutions to discuss the ability of individuals to practice any religion free of discrimination. Embassy staff members also met with religious leaders to discuss the promotion of mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect for all religious groups.