Legirel

Législation concernant les activités religieuses et l’organisation des cultes

Accueil > Law on religious organisations of 7 September 1995, as amended


Law on religious organisations of 7 September 1995, as amended

Latvijas Vēstnesis 26.09.1995, n. 146

Section 1. Terms used in this Law


(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)

The following terms are used in this Law :
1) religious activity – adherence to a religion or belief, practice a cult, fulfilling religious or ritual ceremonies and preaching teachings ;
2) religious denominations (hereinafter – denominations) – trends of world religions which have their religious affirmation, teaching and dogmatics, as well as cult traditions ;
3) officials of religious organisations – members of the institutions elected by the organisations (councils, boards and audit commissions), as well as ecclesiastics ;
4) ecclesiastics of religious organisations (hereinafter – ecclesiastics) - archbishop, bishop, minister, priest, deacon, rabbi and others ;
5) ritual objects – objects and things which are necessary for the performance of the religious activities of religious organisations and the ensuring thereof ;
6) teachings of the Christian faith – a system of the determined opinions, dogma and understanding of the Christian denomination ;
7) religious teachings – a system of the determined opinions, dogma and understanding of religion ;
8) chaplains – ecclesiastics, which perform official duties in places for the serving of sentences, National Armed Force units and elsewhere, where the pastoral care of a normal clergyman is not available.

Section 2. Purpose of the Law


(amended by L. 15.06.2000)

(1) The Law On Religious Organisations, observing the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, as well as international agreements regarding human rights in the field of religion, shall regulate public relations which are formed when implementing freedom of conscience and performing the activities of religious organisations.
The purpose of the Law is to guarantee the inhabitants of Latvia with the right to religious freedom, which includes the right to freely express their opinion towards religion, individually or together with others to turn to any religion or not turn to any of them, freely change their religion or other faith, perform religious activities as well as express their religious conviction, observing the existing legislative enactments in force.

Section 3. Concept of Religious Organisations

(amended by L. 19.02.1998)

(1) Religious organisations are parishes, religious associations (churches) and dioceses registered in accordance with the procedures specified in this Law.
(2) The religious persons of one religion or denomination shall unite in a parish on the basis of the voluntary principle, in order to perform religious activities in a specific inhabited territory, as well as other types of activities, observing the existing legislative enactments in force.
(3) A religious association (church) shall unite the parishes of one denomination registered in accordance with the procedures specified in this Law.
(4) A diocese is a territorial administrative unit of the organisational structure of a religious association (church) provided for in the canonical provisions of the relevant denomination, which is overseen by a bishop.

Section 4. Equality of Inhabitants Regardless of the Opinion thereof Towards Religion

(1) The direct or indirect restriction of inhabitant rights or the creation of privileges for inhabitants, as well as violation of the religious sensibilities of persons or incitement of hatred in connection with the opinions of such persons towards religion is prohibited. For violations of this Law, the persons at fault shall be held liable in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law.
(2) No person shall have the right to violate laws due to the religious convictions thereof.
(3) No indication regarding the opinion towards religion or regarding the denominational affiliation shall be recorded in the personal documents issued by the State.
(4) State and local government institutions, public organisations as well as undertakings and companies shall be prohibited from requesting information from the employees thereof and other persons regarding their opinion towards religion or regarding denominational affiliation.

Section 5. Basis for the Relationships of State and Religious Organisations


(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 12.09.2002)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) In the Republic of Latvia, the State is separate from the church. State institutions have a secular nature and religious organisations shall only perform State functions in cases prescribed by laws.
(2) The State shall protect the rights of religious organisations provided for in the Law. The State and local governments and the institutions thereof, as well as public and other organisations shall have no right to intervene in the religious activities of religious organisations.
(3) The State recognises the right of parents and guardians to raise their children in accordance with the religious convictions thereof.
(4) (abrogated by L. 07.06.1996)
(5) The relationships of State and religious organisations shall be arranged by the Ministry of Justice, which shall ensure the development, co-ordination and implementation of State policies in religious matters in accordance with the competence determined in regulatory enactments and manage matters related to the relationships of State and religious organisations. The structural unit established by the Ministry of Justice, which organises issues of religious matters, shall provide consultations and assistance required by religious organisations upon the request thereof.
(6) The conformity of the activities of religious organisations with regulatory enactments shall be monitored by law enforcement institutions and shall inform the Ministry of Justice regarding violations of regulatory enactments established in the activities of religious organisations.
(7) The relationships of State and religious unions (churches) may be regulated by special laws.
(8) The Council of Sacred Affairs is a consultative institution, whose personnel shall be determined by and by-law approved by the Cabinet. The objective of operation of the Council of Sacred Affairs is to promote and improve co-operation of the State and religious organisations.

Section 6. Religious Organisations and Education


(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 19.02.1998)

(1) Anyone has the right to acquire religious teachings, either individually or together with other teaching establishments of religious organisations.
(2) Teachings of the Christian faith may be taught in State and local government schools to persons who have expressed a wish in writing to acquire this. Minors shall submit a submission regarding a wish to acquire the teachings of the Christian faith with the written agreement of a parent or guardian. If a minor is younger than 14 years, a parent or guardian of this person shall submit a submission on the behalf thereof.
(3) Teachings of the Christian faith shall be taught according to a teaching programme approved by the Ministry of Education and Science by Evangelical Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Old-believer and Baptist Confession teachers, if there are at least 10 pupils in a school wishing to acquire the relevant teachings of the Christian denomination. Teachers shall be nominated by the denominational management and they shall be attested by the Ministry of Education and Science.
(4) The schools for national minorities under the management of the State and local governments, observing the wishes of students or the parents or guardians thereof may also provide religious teachings typical to the relevant national minority in accordance with the procedures specified by the Ministry for Education and Science.
(5) Teachings of the Christian faith and ethical teaching shall be financed from the State budget.

Section 7. Procedures for the Establishment of Religious Organisations


(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 12.09.2002)

(1) There shall be no fewer than 20 citizens of Latvia or persons who are registered in the Population Register and have reached the age of 18 years among the founders of a congrgation. One person has the right to be just one founder of a congregation. Any inhabitant of Latvia has the right to join a congregation and operate therein. Youths up to the age of 18 years may only join with the written permission of a parent or guardian.
(2) Ten (or more) congregations of one denomination which are registered in the Republic of Latvia may establish a religious association (church). This provision shall not apply to the religious organisations referred to in Section 8, Paragraph four of this Law.
(3) The congregation of one denomination may only establish one religious association (church) in the State.
(4) A diocese may establish a religious association (church) taking the relevant decision thereof.

Section 7.1 Institutions of Religious Organisations

(included by L. 19.02.1998)

(1) The religious organisations registered in accordance with the procedures specified in this Law may develop institutions, whose purpose and activity are not profit-making, for the achievement of the objective of operations prescribed in the articles of association thereof : institutions for teaching ecclesiastics, monastries, missions, deaconate institutions and institutions similar thereto.
(2) The institution of a religious organisation shall operate in accordance with existing laws in force and the articles of association (constitution, bylaw) thereof, which shall be approved by the relevant religious organisation.
(3) An institution of a religious organisation shall be founded, re-organised or liquidated if the founder thereof takes the relevant decision in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of the religious organisation.

Section 8. Registration of Religious Organisations and the Institutions Thereof


(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 12.09.2002)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) Religious organisations and the institutions thereof shall be registered in the Register of Religious Organisations and the Institutions Thereof (hereinafter – Register). The Register shall be organised by the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter – registration institution).
(2) Prior to the registration of a religious organisation or institution thereof, the registration institution shall request an opinion from the Ministry of Justice regarding the conformity of the objective of operation and tasks indicated in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of the religious organisations or the institutions thereof with regulatory enactments, as well as regarding whether or not the activities (teachings) of the religious organisation may threaten human rights, the democratic structure of the State, public safety, welfare and morals.
(3) A religious organisation or institution thereof shall be registered by making an entry in the Register regarding the registration of the religious organisation or institution thereof.
(4) Congregations which commence activities for the first time in the Republic of Latvia and do not belong to any religious associations (churches) already registered in the State, shall re-register in the registration institution (hereinafter – re-registration) each year for a period of the first ten years. When re-registering a religious organisation, the registration institution shall repose on the opinion provided by the Ministry of Justice regarding the conformity of the activities of the religious organisation in the previous period with the requirements of regulatory enactments.
(5) The registration institution shall send a reminder to the relevant religious organisation regarding the time period for the submission of re-registration documents three months prior to the expiry of the registration term indicated in the registration certificate of a religious organisation.
(6) Documents for the re-registration of a religious organisation shall be submitted to the registration institution not later than two months prior to the expiry of the registration term.

Section 9. Documents to be Submitted to the Registration Institution Law


(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) The following shall be attached to an application regarding the registration of a congregation by a person authorised by a religious organisation :
1) articles of association (constitution, by-law) ;
2) a list of the founders of the congregation (given name and surname of a person, place of residence, personal identity number and signature) ;
3) minutes of the meeting regarding the founding of the congregation, the approval of the articles of association (constitution, bylaw), the composition of the management and audit commissions (given name, surname, personal identity number and official title of persons), as well as the officials which are entitled to represent the religious organisation (given name, surname and personal identity number of the persons) ; and,
4) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(2) The following shall be attached to an application regarding the registration of a religious association (church) by a person authorised by a religious organisation :
1) articles of association (constitution, by-law) ;
2) a list of the founders of the congregation – religious association (church), which is approved by the heads of the congregation ;
3) minutes regarding the founding of a religious union (church), the administrative bodies thereof, the composition of the governing and audit commissions (given name, surname, personal identity number and official title of persons), as well as officials which are entitled to represent the religious organisation (given name, surname and personal identity number of a person) ; and,
4) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(3) The following shall be attached to an application regarding the registration of a diocese by a person authorised by a religious organisation :
1) articles of association (constitution, by-law) ;
2) the decision of a religious association (church) regarding the establishment of a diocese ;
3) information regarding the composition of the governing body (given name, surname, personal identity number and official title of a person), as well as officials which are entitled to represent the diocese (given name, surname and personal identity number of a person) ; and,
4) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(4) The following shall be attached to an application regarding the registration of teaching institutions for ecclesiastics, monastery, mission or deaconate institutions by a person authorised by a religious organisation :
1) articles of association (constitution, bylaw) ;
2) the decision of a religious association (church) or diocese regarding the establishment of a teaching institution for ecclesiastics, a monastery, mission or deaconate institution ;
3) information regarding an official which is entitled to represent the institution of a religious organisation (given name, surname and personal identity number) ; and,
4) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(5) The following shall be attached to an application regarding the re-registration of a religious organisation by a person authorised by the religious organisation :
1) the decision taken by the higher decision-making institutions indicated in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of the religious organisation regarding the re-registration of the religious organisation ; and,
2) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(6) A person authorised by a religious organisation shall attach to the application regarding changes in the composition of the governing or audit commission, or a change in the composition of officials entitled to represent religious organisations the decision taken in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of a religious organisation regarding the changes in the composition of the governing or audit commission or in the composition of the officials which are entitled to represent the religious organisation, indicating the given name, surname, personal identity number and official title of the persons.
(7) A person authorised by an institution of a religious organisation shall append the decision taken in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of a religious organisation or the institutions thereof regarding the change in the officials thereof, which are entitled to represent the religious organisation, indicating the given name, surname, personal identity number and official title of the person to the application regarding the registration of changes to the officials entitled to represent the institution of the religious organisation.
(8) The following shall be attached to an application by a person authorised by a religious organisation or institution thereof regarding the registration of amendments to the articles of association (constitution, bylaw) :
1) the decision taken regarding amendments to the articles of association (constitution, by-law) in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, bylaw) of a religious organisation or institution thereof ;
2) the text of the articles of association (constitution, by-law) in its new wording (in two copies) ; and,
3) a document certifying payment of the State fee.
(9) A State fee shall be paid for the registration and re-registration of religious organisations and the institutions thereof, the registration of amendments to the articles of association (constitution, by-law) and the repeated issuing of a registration certificate. The amount of the State fee and procedures for payment shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 9.1 Information to be Included in the Register

(included by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) The following information regarding a religious organisation shall be included in the Register :
1) the name ;
2) the legal form [congregation, religious association (church), diocese] ;
3) the denominational affiliation ;
4) the objectives of operations ;
5) the date on which the decision regarding the founding was taken ;
6) the territory of operations ;
7) the legal address (location of management) ;
8) the given name, surname and personal identity number of members of the governing institution, as well as officials which are entitled to represent the religious organisation ;
9) the registration number (the unified eleven-digit registration code) ;
10) the registration term and time periods for re-registration ;
11) information regarding the termination of operations, renewal of operations, exclusion from the Register, insolvency and reorganisation ;
12) information regarding the appointment of an administrator in an insolvency case, indicating the given name, surname and personal identity number of the administrator and the address of the place of practice ;
13) date of the making of the entry ; and,
14) other information if such information is directly provided for by the Law.
(2) The following information regarding a religious organisation shall be included in the Register :
1) the name ;
2) the legal form (a teaching institution for ecclesiastics, monastery, mission or deaconate institution) ;
3) the objectives of operations ;
4) the date on which the decision regarding the founding was taken ;
5) information regarding the religious organisation which is founding the institution (name and registration number) ;
6) the legal address (location) ;
7) the given name, surname and personal identity number of the officials which are entitled to represent the institution of a religious organisation ;
8) the registration number ;
9) information regarding the termination of operations, exclusion from the Register, insolvency and re-organisation ;
10) information regarding the appointment of an administrator in an insolvency case, indicating the given name, surname and personal identity number of the administrator and the address of the place of practice ;
11) date of the making of the entry ; and,
12) other information if such information is directly provided for by the Law.

Section 10. Articles of Association (constitution, bylaw) of Religious Organisations


(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) The following shall be indicated in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of a religious organisation :
1) the name and denominational affiliation of the religious organisation and moreover this name shall differ unambiguously from the name of a religious organisation or an institution thereof registered or applied for registration in the State in accordance with the procedures specified by law, as well as from the name of any other entity registered or applied for registration in other registers maintained by the registration institution ; the name shall not contain misleading information regarding the legal form, the objectives of operation and the type of the religious organisation ; the name shall not be misleading regarding the belonging of a congregation to a religious association (church), if the congregation does not admit belonging thereof to a religious association (church) registered in accordance with the procedures specified by law ;
2) the liabilities of the religious organisation to observe the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Latvia in the activities thereof ;
3) the religious objective of operations and tasks of teaching (scriptures, dogmatics and denominational peculiarities), forms of religious ceremonies ;
4) the procedures for electing the structure of a religious organisation, governing and audit commission and the competence thereof ;
5) the territory of operations of a religious organisation and the location of the governing body ;
6) the procedures for the entering into and removal of members of the parish, the rights and duties thereof ;
7) the rights and duties of religious organisations, the property and financial resources thereof ; and,
8) procedures for the liquidation of a religious organisation and the subsequent utilisation of the property remaining as a result of liquidation.
(2) Religious organisations may also regulate other internal matters of life with the articles of association (constitution, by-law).
(3) If a congregation admits the belonging thereof to any of the existing denominations in the State territory, this shall be indicated in the submission of the congregation which is approved by the governing body of the relevant religious association (church) or at the instruction thereby - the diocese management.

Section 11. Refusal of a Registration

(abroged by L. 18.12.2008)

Section 12. Appealing the Decision of the Head of the Board for Religious Affairs

(abroged by L. 18.12.2008)

Section 13. Rights of Religious Organisations

(amended by L. 19.02.1998)

(1) From the moment of registration thereof a religious organisation shall acquire the status of a legal person. The legal status of teaching institutions for ecclesiastics, monastery, mission and deaconate institutions shall be determined by a religious association (church) or diocese.
(2) Only registered religious associations (churches) or dioceses have the right to establish teaching institutions for ecclesiastics, monasteries, missions and deaconate institutions.
(3) Only registered religious organisations and the institutions established thereby have the right to use the names and emblems of the religious organisation in the forms and seals thereof.

Section 14. Activities of Religious Organisations

(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) Religious organisations shall elect or appoint to office and remove from office the ecclesiastics thereof in accordance with the articles of association (constitution, by-law), but employ other employees and dismiss them from work in accordance with the labour legislative enactments.
(2) Religious organisations shall operate, based on the canonical rules of the relevant denomination and the articles of association (constitution, by-law) thereof.
(3) Religious activities in public places may only be performed by religious organisations with local government agreement. When performing religious activities, the rules of public order shall not be violated.
(4) Foreign clergymen or missionaries may only be invited by religious organisations for the performance of religious activities in the Republic of Latvia organising them residence permits in accordance with the procedures specified by law.
(5) Religious organisations may perform religious activities in hospitals, homes, places for the serving of sentences and National Armed Force units if the persons present therein so wish. The anticipated time and place for an event shall be co-ordinated with the administration of the relevant institution. Activities of religious organisations shall take place in National Armed Force Units, by observing the provisions developed by the Ministry of Defence. Chaplains shall operate in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding chaplain service.
(6) The activities of religious organisations and believers shall only be restricted in those cases when the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Latvia are violated.
(7) Religious organisations shall submit a report regarding the activities thereof to the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the procedures specified by Cabinet, not later than 1 March each year.

Section 15. Economic Activities and Entrepreneurial Activities of Religious Organisations

(1) Religious organisations have the rights to perform economic activities. If the revenue of religious organisations from economic activities exceeds the minimum monthly salary by 500 times within a period of one calendar year, which the Government has determined for the relevant period of time, this organisation shall found its own company which shall be registered in accordance with the existing legislative enactments in force.
(2) Religious organisations have the right to perform entrepreneurial activities in accordance with the Law On Entrepreneurial Activities.
(3) The legal relations of religious organisations and the institutions thereof shall be regulated by the existing legislative enactments in force, as well as the articles of association (constitution, by-law) thereof or a separate agreement.
(4) Revenue from economic activities and profit acquired as a result of entrepreneurial activities shall be used for the objectives prescribed by the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of the religious organisation in accordance with the existing legislative enactments in force.
(5) Religious organisations shall organise bookkeeping, compose reports and pay taxes in accordance with legislative enactments in force.

Section 16. Property of Religious Organisations

(amended by L. 19.02.1998)

(1) Religious organisations may have movable and immovable property in their ownership. Only the governing institutions of religious organisations have the right to act with immovable property if different procedures are not determined in the articles of association (constitution, bylaw).
(2) If the spiritual centre of a religious organisation registered in the Republic of Latvia is located in a foreign state, it may not own the immovable property of this organisation or property which is recognised as a cultural monument.
(3) Chapels, art and other values which are recognised as cultural monuments shall be maintained by religious organisations in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Law On Protection of Cultural Monuments.
(4) It shall be prohibited to pledge chapels and ritual objects and bring recovery proceedings against these at the request of a creditor.

Section 17. Procedures for the Liquidation and Re-organisation of Religious Organisations


(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 12.09.2002)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) Congregations and religious associations (churches) may be liquidated or reorganised in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, bylaw) thereof.
(2) The activities of a diocese shall terminate if the religious association (church) which is the founder thereof, takes a decision regarding the termination of activities thereof in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law).
(3) A decision regarding the liquidation, the termination of activities or re-organisation of a religious organisation or institution thereof shall be notified to the registration institution.
(4) A congregation which withdraws from any religious association (church) shall be re-registered in accordance with Section 8, Paragraph four of this Law. This provision shall not apply to those denominations whose canonical rules do not allow the autonomous operation of a congregation.
(5) If a religious organisation which has taken a decision regarding liquidation or re-organisation decides to renew the activities thereof, it shall inform the registration institution regarding the decision taken.
(6) If a religious organisation which has taken a decision regarding liquidation or re-organisation and is excluded from the register of religious organisations and the institutions thereof decides to renew its activities, it shall register in accordance with the requirements of this Law.
(7) (abrogated by L. 18.12.2008)

Section 18. Basis for the Termination of Activities of a Religious Organisation and the Institutions Thereof


(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 12.09.2002)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

(1) A religious organisation or institution thereof shall terminate its activities :
1) with the decision taken in accordance with the requirements specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) of the religious organisation ;
2) if the number of the united congregations of a religious association (church) has become smaller than that specified in Section 7, Paragraph two of this Law and has not increased to that prescribed by this Law within the period of one year ;
3) by the adjudication of a court ; or,
4) on another basis specified in law or the articles of association (constitution, by-law).
(2) The activities of a religious organisation may be terminated based on the adjudication of a court :
1) if it is in conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, other regulatory enactments or articles of association (constitution, by-law) ;
2) if a religious organisation invites others not to observe the law ;
3) if a religious organisation threatens the democratic structure of the State, public peace and order as well as the health and morals of other persons with its activities (teachings) ; or,
in other cases provided for in regulatory enactments.
(3) A case may be submitted to court by the Prosecutor General.
(4) If a religious organisation has not submitted documents within the time period specified in Section 8, Paragraph six of this Law or an opinion of the Ministry of Justice has been received regarding the non-conformity of the activities of the religious organisation within the previous period with the requirements of regulatory enactments, the registration institution shall take a decision regarding the exclusion of the religious organisation from the register on the day after the registration expiry. Claims which arise from the economic activities of an excluded religious organisation shall be turned towards the members of the governing institution of the religious organisation.
(5) A court, taking into account the severity and consequences of the violation committed by a religious organisation, as well as in evaluating the objective of operation and the activities as a whole, may express a warning to the religious organisation without terminating the activities thereof.
(6) A court, when evaluating the violation committed by a religious organisation shall take into account the purpose of the establishment of the religious organisation and also evaluate the conformity of the activities of the religious organisation which has founded the institution referred to with regulatory enactments.

Section 19. Consequences of the Termination of Activities of a Religious Organisation

(amended by L. 12.09.2002)

(1) On the day that a court adjudication comes into legal effect regarding the termination of the activities of a religious organisation or when a decision is taken by this organisation regarding liquidation or re-organisation, the religious organisation shall take a decision regarding the acquisition of property rights in accordance with the procedures specified in the articles of association (constitution, by-law) thereof. If there is no successor of property rights, the property shall be taken over by the State.
(2) If the activities of a religious organisation are terminated, then labour relations with all employees working in the religious organisation shall be terminated in accordance with the procedures specified in the Labour Law.

Transitional provisions

(amended by L. 07.06.1996)
(amended by L. 27.02.1997)
(amended by L. 19.02.1998)
(amended by L. 15.06.2000)
(amended by L. 18.12.2008)

1. The legal status of those religious congregations, associations (churches) and monasteries which are registered in the Ministry of Justice prior to the coming into force of this Law shall not be changed.
2. All existing religious organisations regardless of the period of registration thereof shall harmonise the articles of association (constitution, by-law) thereof with this law by 1 May 1998 and, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of law :
1) redevelop and adopt articles of association (constitution, bylaw) ;
2) alter the structure and establish management and audit institutions ; and,
3) amend the names, abbreviations of names and emblems.
3. The rights of the religious unions (churches) prescribed by this Law shall also be applicable to the Dievturi Congregation and the religious congregation of the Hebrews of Riga.
4. (abrogated by L. 15.06.2000)
5. The Ministry of Justice shall publish a list of those religious organisations which have not harmonised the articles of association (constitution, bylaw) with this Law within the time period specified in Paragraph two of the Transitional Provisions of this Law, in Latvijas Vestnesis [the official Gazette of the Government of Latvia]. The Ministry of Justice shall exclude a religious organisation from the Register if it has no debts in the State and local government budgets and no application has been received from persons who have claims against the relevant religious organisation within a period of three months from the publication of the announcement. The registration certificate, forms and seals of a religious organisation excluded from the Register shall be regarded as invalid.
6. With the coming into force of this Law the Law On Religious Organisations (Latvijas Republikas Augstakas Padomes un Valdibas Zinotajs, [Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia and Government Bulletin] No.40, 1990) and the Law On Amendments and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Latvia On Religious Organisations (Latvijas Republikas Augstakas Padomes un Valdibas Zinotajs, No.29.30, 1990), is repealed.
7. The Board of Religious Affairs shall commence activities by 1 September 2000.
8. Until the coming into force of the Cabinet Regulations referred to in Section 9, Paragraph nine of this Law, but not later than by 30 March 2009, the Cabinet Regulation No. 57 of 15 February 2000, Regulations regarding the State Fee for the Registration of Religious Organisations and Institutions thereof, shall be applicable.
9. The takeover of functions of the Board of Religious Affairs (except the keeping of the Register of Religious Organisations and Institutions thereof) shall be determined by the Cabinet by 30 December 2011.

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 7 September 1995.

(Translation : Valsts valodas centrs [State Language Centre])