Yerevan /Mediamax/. Although the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia protects religious freedom, some laws and policies restrict religious freedom, the annual International Religious Freedom Report published by the U.S. Department of State claims.

“There were reports of obstacles faced by religious organizations in building places of worship and discrimination in schools against religious minority children.  In February the Yerevan mayor’s office refused to permit Jehovah’s Witnesses to build three places of worship, stating that building places of worship in “inhabited areas” led to complaints from neighbors.  The organization appealed the decision in court as arbitrary and discriminatory”, the report reads.

Most registered religious groups reported no significant legal impediments to their activities; however, they faced issues related to renting space for gatherings.

In May, the parliament approved changes to the “Alternative Service” Law establishing civilian control over alternative labor in lieu of military service. Following these amendments the government released all Jehovah’s Witnesses serving sentences for refusing on religious grounds to perform mandatory military or alternative labor service.

The report of the U.S. Department of State also reads that there were reports of societal discrimination and intolerance, including in the workplace.

“Religious groups also reported increased intolerance and threats in social networks.

Unlike previous years, there were no reports of physical attacks on Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2013”, the report reads.