For immediate release

7. December 2002

The aboriginal believers stand for aboriginal rights

On 7 December, the Council of Maavalla Koda, which associates the Native religion’s organizations of Estonia, gathered in Tartu. The Council acutely criticized the Estonian state policy upon the culture and religion affairs. It has been concluded that the state is discriminating the followers of Native religion and ignoring the interests of its own aboriginal people at the same.  The concrete plans have been discussed for protection of the aboriginal religion and culture.

Maavalla Koda calls the Government for constructive cooperation to adapt the legislation of Estonia to meet the religious traditions of aboriginal people. Maavalla Koda appeals to enlarge the share of traditional culture in the programs of the state and commune school system. At the same time should the state – while it is utilizing the natural resources of the aboriginal people – invest more in the fields of study and protection of the aboriginal rural architecture, sacred places and other branches of aboriginal tradition.

During the last decade there has been enforced a number of legislative acts discriminative to the non-Christians. In July 2002 a new Churches and Congregations Law was enforced, granting more rights to Christian churches than to non-Christian ones and at the same time obligates the non-Christian religious organizations to use Christian terminology in their names.

The new Law is especially oppressing the aboriginal Maavalla Koda, which is forced to stop the activities on 1 August 2004 according to the Law. Then the former legislative right to use one’s own terminology is ceased. As far as the Christian terminology can not be used because of the religious reasons of aboriginal faith they lack the possibilities to re-register their organizations.

There are other laws discriminating the supporters of the Native religion. As for example they lack the possibility to register legally their matrimonial acts fulfilled according to their traditions (such a right have the Christians only) or accomplish their funeral ceremonies. According to Estonian legislation the sacred places of aboriginal people are not given the status of sacred territory. There are known above 500 sacred groves all over Estonia but none of them is owned by aboriginal religious groups. The same time the ancient sacred places continue to become a victim of new construction sites and forest clear cuttings.

Although the state is discriminating the aboriginal religion supporters the phenomenon itself has a vast basis in the Estonian society. A Gallup ordered by Estonian Parliament in July 2002 shows the preference of aboriginal religion among the whole population as much as 11 per cent of approx. 150 000 persons. Most of them are not organized because a long-time tradition not to be.

Further information: Kalle Eller, phone +372 0510 2274; Andres Heinapuu, phone +372 0569 54740

Ahto Kaasik
Chancellor Estonian House of Taara and Native Religions