Religion in Macau - Protection By The Basic Law

Protection By The Basic Law

The Basic Law of Macau provides for a freedom of conscience, freedom of religious belief, freedom to preach and the freedom to conduct, and participate in, religious activities. Mainland China does not govern religious practices in Macau. The Basic Law states that the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region, in accordance with its principle of religious freedom, will not interfere in the internal affairs of any religious organization nor in the efforts of that organization and its believers to maintain and develop relations with counterparts outside Macau, nor in any way restrict religious activity which does not contravene the laws of the Region.

A Freedom of Religion ordinance requires religious organizations to register with Macau's Identification Services Office. This ordinance, which was in place before the handover and has remained in effect subsequently, provides for freedom of religion, privacy of religious belief, freedom of religious assembly, freedom to hold religious processions and the freedom to organize religious education. It also stipulates that religious groups may maintain and develop relations with religious groups abroad. There have been no reports of discrimination in the registration process.