The constitution provides for freedom of religion, including freedom of worship and the free expression of all beliefs. The constitution recognizes the distinct legal personality of the Catholic Church. Non-Catholic religious groups are required to register with the Ministry of Government in order to enter into contracts or receive tax-exempt status. In continuation of a 2014 case involving alleged discrimination by the local population in San Juan La Laguna against the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish group, Lev Tahor, a group leader brought a case against the town’s former mayor for abetting discrimination and abusing authority. A judge placed the former mayor under house arrest during his ongoing trial. After the Lev Tahor group voluntarily relocated to Guatemala City, it was the subject of a search based on complaints of child neglect. After the search, the group again voluntarily relocated to a small town outside of Guatemala City following what it said was discrimination and harassment by authorities. Mayan spiritual leaders reported the government limited their access to some Mayan religious sites. Non-Catholic groups reported some municipal-level authorities discriminated against them in permit approvals and local tax collection.
Some Catholic clergy reported threats and harassment because of their environmental protection work. Jewish leaders appealed to government authorities after protestors displayed anti-Semitic placards and banners during a May protest against an Israeli-owned power distribution company; the government mediated a solution with the protesting group out of court. Some Mayan religious groups reported land owners limited their access to Mayan religious sites on private property.
The U.S. embassy regularly held meetings with government officials and leaders of religious groups to discuss issues of religious freedom, including the Lev Tahor case, threats against Catholic clergy, and the reported lack of access to Mayan spiritual sites. Embassy officials promoted religious freedom in meetings with various civil society and religious groups,