Overview:

• With respect to Macau, the central government notified the UN Secretary-General, in part, that residents of Macau shall not be restricted in the rights and freedoms they are entitled to unless otherwise provided for by law, and in case of restrictions, the restrictions shall not contravene the ICCPR.

• Recognition and registration are amalgamated with a focus on the latter as legal registration; as a result, there is a lack of provisions for existential recognition in Macau.

• Informational requirements seem appropriate but require continued monitoring to ensure that they are not expanded further to restrict applicants.

• There is a separate procedure for the registration of religious groups from secular entities which is preferable.

• Increased politicisation of this process is expected as encroachments from the Mainland China government continue as is taking place in neighbouring Hong Kong.

Positive elements:

• Freedom of religion or belief is broadly upheld by the government of Macau although encroachments from the CCP threaten this.

• Horizontal recognition is in effect.

Recommendations:

• Establish a recognition system that is able to bestow both existential recognition and legal registration simultaneously and at various levels of activity.

• To be classified dynamic, establish a recognition agency that is independent of government to manage the recognition system.