Title: Human Rights Rep.1999: Finland - Co$
Author: xenurules@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 06:51:55 GMT

http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1999_hrp_report/finland.htm

l



Such groups as Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-Day Saints have been active in Finland for decades. In December

1998, the Ministry of Education turned down the application of the

Finnish Association of Scientologists to be registered as a religious

community. This was the first time that an applicant had been denied

church status. The Scientologists' application was pending for nearly 3

years while the Government awaited additional information that it had

requested from the Association. The Association acknowledged that it

had not responded to the Government's request. The Education Ministry's

decision can be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. The

Scientologists have not yet done so, but they have indicated that they

may begin the process anew and reapply for recognition as a church.