MoJ considers anti-constitutional to grant tax privs to the Church

[Kalantarian Kevo]

news.am, Armenia
Aug 26 2011

Armenian Ministry of Justice considers anti-constitutional to grant
tax privileges to Armenian Apostolic Church

August 26, 2011 | 22:32


YEREVAN. - Granting privileges on property tax to the Armenian
Apostolic Church contradicts to the principle of equality preserved
for religious organizations according to the law on `Freedom of
Conscious and Religious Organizations' of the Armenian Constitution
and the Civil Code, Armenian Ministry of Justice quotes from the
statement submitted to the government.

The Thursday session of the government approved to release Armenian
Apostolic Church from the property tax. Armenian Ministry of
Territorial Administration claims that the Church in any way does not
pay any tax. So releasing it from property tax changes nothing.

However, the Ministry of Justice reminds that 85th plenary session in
Venice last year discussed amendments on the law of `Freedom of
Conscious and Religious Organizations.' The Venice committee states
that discrimination of religious organizations may be expressed in
granting economical privileges or a special status. Thus, the bill
discussion should be based on the Venice committee provisions.