CAPE VERDE

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

Both government policy and the generally amicable relationship among religions in society contribute to the free practice of religion.

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.

Section I. Government Policies on Freedom of Religion

Legal/Policy Framework The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice. The Government at all levels generally protects this right in full, and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors. The Constitution also provides for the separation of church and state and prohibits the State from imposing any religious beliefs and practices. To be recognized officially by the Government, religious groups (as well as other organized groups of citizens) must register with the Ministry of Justice to be recognized as legal entities. However, failure to do so does not result in any restriction on religious belief or practice.

Religious Demography

The overwhelming majority (over 90 percent) of citizens is at least nominally Roman Catholic. The largest Protestant denomination is the Church of the Nazarene. Other Christian churches include the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Assembly of God, and various other Pentecostal and evangelical groups. There are also small Muslim and Baha'i communities.

It generally is recognized that the Catholic majority enjoys a privileged status in national life--for example, the Government provides it with free television broadcast time for religious services and observes its holy days as official holidays.

There is no association between religious differences and ethnic or political differences, although it generally is recognized that the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the country is sympathetic to the governing Movement for Democracy (MPD) party and generally hostile to the opposition Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV).

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners.

Forced Religious Conversion of Minor U.S. Citizens There were no reports of the forced religious conversion of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section II. Societal Attitudes

There are amicable relations between the various religious communities.

Section III. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the overall context of the promotion of human rights.

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