BRATISLAVA, Slovakia: Slovakia’s Muslim community has condemned a new bill tightening conditions for the official registration of churches.
Approved by Parliament on Wednesday, it increases the number of members needed for a religion to become official, and eligible for state subsidies, from 20,000 to 50,000. There are about 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia, and the community already considered the original number restrictive.
The bill was drafted by the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party, a member of the ruling coalition, which made no secret of targeting Muslims.
The move is another sign of anti-Islam sentiment in the Roman Catholic stronghold after Prime Minister Robert Fico previously declared that Slovakia is not a suitable place for Muslims to live.
In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Friday, the Islamic Foundation says the law, which needs presidential approval, is “a serious blow for religious freedom in Slovakia.”
A blow — Slovak Muslims critical of new church law
A blow — Slovak Muslims critical of new church law
UK secures migrant return deal with Angola, Namibia; DRC faces visa curbs
LONDON: Angola and Namibia have agreed to accept the return of illegal migrants and criminals after the British government threatened visa penalties for countries refusing to cooperate, the UK Home Office said late on Saturday.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been stripped of fast-track visa services and preferential treatment for VIPs and decision-makers after failing to meet Britain’s requirements to improve cooperation, the Home Office said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain could escalate measures to a complete halting of visas for the DRC unless “co-operation rapidly improves.”
“We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” the Home Secretary added.
The agreements mark the first major change under reforms announced last month to make refugee status temporary and speed up the deportation of those who arrive illegally in Britain.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK has “removed more than 50,000 people with no right to remain” since July last year, a 23 percent increase on the previous period, and instructed diplomats to make returns a top priority.
