ACLJ:
The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) said today it was very pleased by an unanimous decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that Bulgaria violated the religious freedom of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church . . .
In July 2004, the government, based on the Bulgarian Law on Religion, known as the “Religious Denominations Act 2002″, took possession of all church properties of the Holy Synod: 107 properties – including churches, monasteries, and other church-related buildings. During the seizures, police at times forcefully removed clergy and lay people by dragging them out of the buildings, causing injuries. The clergy who lived in the properties were left homeless with no possessions. All documentation relating to property deeds and work contracts for the clergy were confiscated by the government. Since 2004, Holy Synod clergy have been barred from receiving unemployment benefits and health care. Some church members were also criminally charged and were forced to surrender their passports . . .
ACLJ links to the ruling.
