Legal Framework
The constitution provides for freedom of conscience (including religion), expression, assembly, and association. These rights may be limited by law “which is reasonably required” in the interests of public defense, safety, order, morality, or health, or to protect the rights of others.
By law, any religious group with a membership equal to or greater than 2 percent of the total population (according to the most recent census) must register with the government, although there are no legal consequences for not registering. To register, the religious organization submits a request to the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Social Affairs, signed by the head of the group and supported by five other members of the organization. Also required in the request is information regarding proof of the number of adherents and the religious denomination and name under which the group wishes to be registered.
There is no mandated religious education in public schools. Public schools in the country allow a variety of religious groups, including Catholics, Protestants, Seventh-day Adventists, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ, to provide religious education in schools. Students who opt out of religious education must participate in a supervised study period.
The country is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Government Practices
The government continued to administer a small grants program for development projects administered by nongovernmental organizations and religious organizations, of which the KPC was a recipient. Missionaries were active in the country and operated freely. Missionary visits to islands with a “one church” tradition were allowed as long as they followed the traditional practice of requesting permission from local leaders. Sources stated that minority religious groups did not seek to send any missionaries to these islands during the year.
The government allowed the KPC to operate, but the church was not able to register during the year due to a court case and opposition to its registration from the Kiribati Uniting Church, according to KPC leadership. The church’s registration application was submitted when it separated from the Kiribati Uniting Church in 2016, and church officials said they were optimistic the government would grant registration due to the government’s grant support for its activities.
Most governmental meetings and events began and ended with an ordained minister or other church official delivering a Christian prayer.
In October, the President hosted a reception to mark the opening of the annual church conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Kiribati Uniting Church with the aim of promoting cooperation and respect among the different churches and to acknowledge the role of Christian organizations in promoting peace in the country.