HRP: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
IRF: Annual Reports to Congress on International Religious Freedom
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
IRF 1999-2001
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects
this right in practice.
HRP 2000-01
IRF 2000-01
In the past, the Government did not demonstrate favoritism toward one religion
over another; however, in early 2000, the Seychelles National Party (SNP),
which is the opposition political party and is led by an Anglican minister,
claimed that the Government gave a grant of $164,000 (900,000 Seychelles
Rupees) to the Baha'i faith in 1999, following its incorporation. According
to the SNP, this grant has not been offered to other faiths that have been
established recently in the country. According to the Government, $192,000
(1 million Seychelles Rupees) of the national budget is allocated to provide
assistance to faiths that request it. The grant to the Baha'i faith was
for the purpose of building a temple, and in the past, the Anglican, Hindu,
and Roman Catholic faiths have benefited from government grants.
IRF 2000-01
In May 2000, the Government announced that its employees who are Baha'i
are allowed to take unpaid leave on Baha'i holy days. This leave has not
been available previously to members of the Baha'i or other faiths. At
the time of the announcement, the Government also stated that other religions
could submit applications for the recognition of similar unpaid leave days.
President France Albert Rene's wife of 10 years is a member of the Baha'i
Faith while the majority of the government ministers are Catholic.
BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY
IRF 2000-01
The Baha'i local spiritual assembly was incorporated in 1999.
IRF 2000-01
The Government tends to remain outside of religious matters, but provides
program time to different religious organizations on the national radio
broadcasting service. On Sundays a radio broadcast of a Catholic Mass alternates
each week with a broadcast of an Anglican service. All other faiths, including
Islam, Adventist and Baha'i, are entitled to a 15-minute radio broadcast
one Sunday a month.
IRF 1999
On Saturdays, a 15-minute Baha'i radio program alternates each week with
an Adventist broadcast.