LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The constitution states the country is secular, provides for freedom of religion or belief, prohibits religious discrimination, and makes forced impositions on conscience based on “religious fanaticism,” such as forced conversion, punishable by law. The constitution bans the use of religion for political ends, including religiously affiliated political parties.

A decree bans individuals from wearing the full-face Islamic veil, including the niqab and the burqa, in public places. The decree also bans Muslims from foreign countries from spending the night in mosques.

All organizations, including religious groups, must register with, and be approved by, the Ministry of Interior. In addition, applicants must present a title or lease to the property where the establishment is located, the exact address of the establishment, a copy of its bylaws, and a document that clarifies the mission and objectives of the organization. Penalties for failure to register include fines and confiscation of goods, invalidation of contracts, and deportation of foreign group members. Religious applicants who request to lead a religious group must present a certificate of qualifications that demonstrates the applicant has undergone formal or informal religious training, is generally knowledgeable regarding the Bible, and is therefore qualified to lead a religious establishment.

The law prohibits religious instruction in public schools. Private schools may provide religious instruction. The law requires all public and private schools to respect all philosophical and religious doctrines. The constitution protects the right to establish private schools.

A 2017 bilateral framework agreement between the government and the Holy See formalized relations between the government and the Catholic Church. The agreement defines places of worship, cemeteries, and ecclesiastical sites; penal case processes for clergy, property rights; rules pertaining to the use of mass media; education; appointment of chaplains to the security forces; and church institutional activities providing health, education, social, and medical services for the common good.

The country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

GOVERNMENT PRACTICES

According to sources, high-ranking church officials, such as bishops, often received payments in the form of gifts from the government, including new cars. Sources also said the government bestowed the gifts to encourage closer relations between church and state officials.

Throughout the year, Prime Minister Makosso and other members of government participated in several religious and faith-based organizations’ activities, including the inauguration of a newly built evangelical church near Pointe Noire and the Catholic Church’s celebration of the 140th anniversary of its ministry in the country.

During the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the Armed Forces and Gendarmeries in June, the Ministry of Defense co-hosted an ecumenical Mass that brought together members of the military high command and several interfaith denominations.

In July, the Prime Minister met with representatives of multiple Christian denominations and Muslim leaders to seek support in sensitizing the public to upcoming increases in fuel prices.

According to local representatives from the Interconfessional Platform for Dignity and Peace for the Great Lakes, officials continued to allow Christian and Muslim clergy access to prisoners during the year.

In October, the Ministry of Health and Population partnered with the High Islamic Council of Congo in its ninth annual program offering free medical care, including no-cost medical eye exams and free medications, to Congolese citizens regardless of their religious backgrounds.

In April, non-Muslim members of the legislature celebrated the end of Ramadan with the High Islamic Council of Congo as a demonstration of religious tolerance and respect for the Muslim community.