KIRIBATI

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.

Religious Demography

There is no state or politically dominant religion. The State does not favor a particular religion, nor are there separate categories for different religions.

Christianity was introduced widely into the area by missionaries in the 19th century. Major religions include: the Roman Catholic Church; the Kiribati Protestant Church (KPC), formerly the Congregational Church; Seventh-Day Adventists; the Baha'i Faith; and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Roman Catholics are the dominant Christian denomination and constitute an estimated 54 percent of the population; members of the KPC constitute an estimated 38 percent. Other religious groups each account for 1 to 2 percent of the population. Persons with no religious preference account for about 5 percent of the population.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners.

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

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 refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section II. Societal Attitudes

Christianity, the religion more than 90 percent of the population, is a dominant social and cultural force, but there are amicable relations between the country's religions. Nonbelievers, who constitute a very small percentage of the residents, do not suffer discrimination. Virtually all governmental and social functions begin and end with an interdenominational Christian prayer delivered by an ordained minister, cleric, or church official.

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.

[end of document]

East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Index | Table of Contents |