Cook Islands Minister Fires Back at MP’s Suggestion to Revisit Religious Organisation Restrictions Act

By Talaia Mika, Cook Islands News

The debate surrounding the introduction of new religions in the Cook Islands has reached a boiling point. In a recent Question-and-Answer Session in Parliament, Opposition Member of Parliament Vaitoti Tupa suggested revisiting the Religious Organisation Restrictions Act 1975 to further limit religious organisations in the country.

The Proposal: Limiting New Religions

Tupa argued that only four churches had been allowed under this Act and that parliament had time to consider amending this part of the Act to limit the number of churches coming into the country. He also pointed out that according to the Constitution, it is stated that Cook Islands is a Christian country, and therefore, he suggested reconsidering this Act.

Minister Elikana’s Response

In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana fired back at Tupa’s suggestion. He reminded that before any attempt to change or amend the Religious Organisation Restrictions Act, Article 64 of the Cook Islands Constitution guarantees fundamental principles and fundamental rights established after the 1975 Act was passed.

Minister Elikana emphasized that if there is an attempt to change and amend the Act, they will have to comply with Article 64 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of equality and freedom of religion for everybody in the Cook Islands. He added that this is why the 1975 Act is still valid law because it hasn’t been touched and is deemed valid law under Article 64 of the Constitution.

The Current Status

The Religious Organisation Restrictions Act 1975 limits the introduction of new religions to only four authorised in the Act – The Cook Islands Christian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to the Act, approval must be granted from the Minister of Justice before another religion can be established.

Minister for Justice Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa told Parliament that there are three pending applications for new faith denominations to be registered in the Cook Islands. He stated that he had not received any application for registration from the mosque, and instead, referred queries regarding the mosque to the Secretary of Justice and Crown Law, seeking Crown Law’s advice on this “sensitive topic”.

A Mosque in the Country: A Sensitive Topic

The establishment of the country’s first mosque has sparked debate both for and against. The mosque, Masjid Fatimah Rarotonga, was reported to have been established by Cook Islands News, and its presence has raised questions about the limits of religious freedom in the Cook Islands.

Conclusion:

The introduction of new religions in the Cook Islands is a sensitive topic that requires careful consideration. While there are differing opinions on how to address this issue, it is clear that Article 64 of the Constitution guarantees fundamental principles and fundamental rights that must be respected. As the debate continues, it will be crucial to uphold these rights and ensure that everyone in the Cook Islands has freedom of equality and freedom of religion.