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Religious Organizations Restrictions Act 1975

COOK ISLANDS

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS RESTRICTIONS ACT 1975

ANALYSIS

Title
1. Short Title
2. Interpretation
3. Restrictions on establishment of religious organizations
4. Restrictions of use of buildings
5. Restrictions on meeting in or within view of public place

1975, No. 3

An Act to restrict the establishment of religious organizations in the Cook Islands

(5 March 1975

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of the Cook Islands in Session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Religious Organizations Restrictions Act 1975.

2. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, -

"Minister" means the Minister charged with the responsibility of Justice.

3. Restrictions on establishment of religious organizations

It is hereby declared that except with the prior approval of the Minister and upon and subject to such conditions as he may impose there shall not be established in the Cook Islands any religious organization or association of persons (whether incorporated or not) other than organizations or associations of or representing the following:-

(a) The Cook Islands Christian Church;
(b) The Roman Catholic Church;
(c) The Seventh-day Adventist Church;
(d) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. Restrictions on use of buildings

(1) No religious organization or association of persons (whether incorporated or not) other than:-

(a) The Cook Islands Christian Church;
(b) The Roman Catholic Church;
(c) The Seventh-day Adventist Church;
(d) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(e) Such other organization or association of persons as may be approved by the Minister,

shall establish or use any church, hall, house, tent or other building for the purpose of any public meeting or place of worship to which the public has access.

(2) If any church, hall, house, tent or building is established or used in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section the said church, hall, house, tent or building may by order of the High Court be ordered to be closed or demolished.

(3) The closure of demolition of any such church, hall, house, tent or building shall be carried out as directed by the Court and the costs of such closure or demolition shall be paid as ordered by the Court.

5. Restrictions on meeting in or within view of public place

(1) No religious organization or association of persons (whether incorporated or not) other than:-

(a) The Cook Islands Christian Church;
(b) The Roman Catholic Church;
(c) The Seventh-day Adventist Church;
(d) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(e) Such other organization or association of persons as may be approved by the Minister,

shall conduct any meeting for a religious purpose in any place to which the public has access or in view of any such place.

(2) Any person who conducts any meeting in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $200.

This Act is administered in the Justice Department.

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS: Printed under the authority of the Cook Islands Government, by T. KAPI, Government Printer - 1975