Overview:

• State privilege is bestowed to Moldovan Orthodox Church; thus, existential recognition is bestowed to Eastern Orthodoxy.

• Recognition and registration are differentiated but a system of partial recognition is in effect whereby existential recognition is only bestowed to Moldovan Orthodoxy while legal registration is the form of recognition available to all other groups.

• Restrictions exist for unregistered religious groups.

• Informational requirements are intrusive primarily demands for details on the “scope of activities”, “financing sources” and “organisational structure”.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Provide means for existential recognition that are extended to all belief systems, denominations and communities.

• Remove restrictive policies in the present recognition system.

• Establish a recognition agency that is independent of government for the management of the recognition system and the promotion of both religious education and the diversity of religious belief and practice.