For Immediate Release
October 13, 1998

Latvia grants legal recognition to Jehovah's Witnesses

On Monday, October 12, 1998, the government of Latvia granted legal recognition to Jehovah's Witnesses. Latvia is the second European country within the past week to register this Christian religion. Bulgaria granted legal status to Jehovah's Witnesses on October 7, 1998.

After careful review, the Department of Religion of the Ministry of Justice found no reason not to grant recognition to this internationally recognized faith, said Peter Luters, spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses in Latvia.

"Latvia is a progressive country with a respect for human rights and freedom of religion," Luters said. "It was only a matter of time until Jehovah's Witnesses were recognized."

Jehovah's Witnesses have been active in Latvia since 1926 and were legally registered in 1933. Registration was withdrawn during the political instability preceding World War II. Under communist rule, many of Jehovah's Witnesses were deported to Siberia. After the fall of communism, Jehovah's Witnesses were granted legal registration throughout the rest of Eastern Europe. They began applying for legal registration in Latvia in 1993. On Monday, the two congregations with applications pending were registered.

"We greatly appreciate the legal recognition of our work by the Latvian government," Luters said. "We look forward to being a greater help to our friends and neighbors in Latvia through our community service work of Bible education."

Jehovah's Witnesses have about 1,900 members in Latvia and nearly six million members worldwide. More than 13 million have attended their religious services. They are officially recognized in more than 150 countries.

For more information on Jehovah's Witnesses, visit www.watchtower.org.

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