UN warns Estonia over threats to religious freedom

(MENAFN) A UN advisory panel has raised concerns that Estonia is undermining religious freedoms by creating an “adversarial environment” for the country’s largest church due to its spiritual links with Russia. According to the experts, Tallinn’s treatment of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC), which is canonically connected to the Russian Orthodox Church, threatens fundamental religious rights.

The panel pointed to multiple administrative actions, a court ruling that cut state funding for the EOCC on security grounds, and a proposed law that they say “disproportionately affects a single religious community.” They emphasized, “Canonical identity, ecclesiastical hierarchy and spiritual allegiance are integral components of the freedom of religion and are fully protected under international law.”

The experts highlighted a controversial bill advancing through parliament, despite President Alar Karis’s objections. Karis has argued that banning religious organizations with alleged ties to foreign entities deemed security threats would violate Estonia’s constitution.

The panel also criticized the government for denying clergy rental agreements and residency permits, noting, “Such actions disrupt normal religious life and may undermine the autonomy that should be granted under freedom of religion or belief.”

The EOCC includes both ethnic Estonians and members of the country’s Russian-speaking minority. Moscow has repeatedly accused Estonia of pursuing discriminatory policies motivated by Russophobia, a charge echoed in the panel’s findings.

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