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San Marino

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Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Report
October 14, 2015

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Executive SummaryShare    

There were no government actions affecting constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Civil society representatives reported no government restrictions on religious freedom or problems involving religious minorities. At the Ceremony of the Changing of the Captains’ Regent, the official speaker for the country delivered a speech calling for interreligious tolerance and dialogue.

There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.

During periodic official visits, U.S. government officials emphasized U.S. support for religious tolerance with government leaders and civil society representatives.

Section I. Religious DemographyShare    

The U.S. government estimates the total population at 32,742 (July 2014 estimate). The government does not provide statistics on the size of religious groups, and there is no census data on religious group membership. Government officials estimate that approximately 97 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Other religious groups include small numbers of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bahais, Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians, and members of the Waldensian Church. In recent years, the number of Orthodox Church members has increased due to immigration from Eastern Europe.

Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious FreedomShare    

Legal Framework

There is no state religion. Constitutional law is defined by a combination of historical and modern constitutional documents. The Declaration of Citizen Rights guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion.

The state provides payments to the Catholic Church from income tax revenue. Taxpayers may request that 0.3 percent of their income tax payments be allocated to the Catholic Church or to “other charities,” including other religious groups. Any charity or religious group can obtain this benefit by registering as a nonprofit organization based in the country. If a taxpayer allocates a portion of his or her income tax payment to a previously unregistered group, the tax authorities will contact the group to confirm its legitimacy and to ask to review its financial statements.

There are no private religious schools, and the law requires religious education in public middle schools. Only Catholic religious instruction is offered, but the law guarantees students the right to choose not to participate without penalty.

Government Practices

Catholic symbols were common in state institutions. For example, crucifixes sometimes hung on courtroom and government office walls.

The government maintained a public meditation and prayer site in the capital for use by worshipers of any religion.

At the October 1 Ceremony of the Changing of the Captains’ Regent, the official speaker for the country delivered a televised speech calling for interreligious tolerance and ongoing dialogue, and emphasized the government’s ongoing support for religious freedom.

Civil society representatives reported no governmental restrictions on religious freedom or problems involving religious minorities.

Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious FreedomShare    

There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.

Section IV. U.S. Government PolicyShare    

During periodic official visits, the Consul General in Florence and other representatives from the consulate general in Florence emphasized U.S. support for religious tolerance with government representatives. Consulate general representatives also discussed religious freedom issues with civil society representatives, including labor unions and the U.S.-San Marino Association.