Hungary Again Passes Restrictive Religion Law

According to Focus News Agency, Hungary's Parliament last Friday passed a restrictive new Law on Churches which recognizes only 14 religious faiths (the so-called traditional faiths), instead of the 300 that have previously been recognized.  Faiths not specified in the new law are permitted to apply to Parliament for recognition if they have been operating in Hungary for at least 20 years. Two-thirds approval of Parliament is required for recognition. All Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu congregations will be required to apply under this provision. Hungary's Constitutional Court struck down an earlier version of the law last month, but did so only on procedural grounds. (See prior posting.)