A/HRC/55/47/Add.2 culture of open and safe communication based on trust between State authorities and religious and belief communities is crucial in addressing such questions. B. Engagement with and support for religious and belief communities 34. There is no legal requirement in Sweden for religious groups to register or seek recognition. Only faith communities registered with the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agencies, however, are eligible to receive government funding and tax exemptions similar to those available for non-profit organizations. The requirements for registration of a group include that it has operated in the country for at least five years, has a clear and stable structure, can function independently, serves at least 3,000 persons and operates at several locations in the country. The Special Rapporteur notes that Jehovah’s Witnesses were only registered in 2019 after 12 years of litigation and were subsequently awarded compensation by the Chancellor of Justice in 2021. As of January 2024, Humanists Sweden has been accepted as a life stance organization. 35. Funding of the Church of Sweden operates differently to that of other religious organizations in the light of the fact that it was the State church until 2000, the responsibilities that it still carries, and the numerous buildings and sites it maintains. 36. Sweden offers numerous funding streams and grants to facilitate the work of religious communities, and this constitutes good practice. According to the Swedish Agency for Support for Faith Communities, funds are distributed to 46 faith communities at the national level.7 Those grants are supplemented by grants available directly to faith communities at the local level (e.g. for religious buildings), and many municipalities also have different types of grants for activities (e.g. youth events) available to local faith communities. 37. The Swedish Agency for Support for Faith Communities distributes funds to the faith communities in recognition of the important role of religious diversity. Not all faith communities avail themselves of the grants and funds. Faith communities (and civil society organizations in general) expressed concern that the political environment is making access to funds more precarious and that the funds are insufficient for their needs and activities, including the need of being able to meet in safety and security. Some faith communities have sought government funding from abroad to meet shortfalls. Communities reported a sense of great suspicion from the Swedish authorities and public regarding the acceptance of such funds. 38. The Government has engaged with religious groups on the question of “democracy criteria”, upon which State funding may become dependent. In December 2022, proposed changes to the laws regulating funding of religious organizations was discussed with religious groups, since eligibility for government grants would require a religious group’s main source of funding to be domestic. The proposed criteria were subsequently withdrawn, and the Special Rapporteur understands that the revised proposal, entitled “State support for religious communities and civil society – uniform and legally secure conditions”, was due to be submitted on 19 March 2024. 39. The Government had previously adopted a proposal calling for a committee to be established to prevent foreign funding of religious activities in order to stop the spread of extremism and non-democratic messages. The Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Sweden Democrats stated in early 2022 that they wanted to ban foreign funding of faith communities. Jewish and Christian leaders reportedly stated that they believed the proposal targeted Muslims. 40. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the many examples of collaboration between religious communities in Sweden, which results in a stronger and more unified voice in public debate and, it is hoped, cooperation, dialogue and understanding. The National Interfaith Council of Sweden is composed of national representatives of different religions and its goal is to encourage goodwill and peace within Swedish society. There are also numerous local 7 GE.24-04001 See https://myndighetensst.se/bidrag/bidragsberattigade-trossamfund.html (in Swedish). Funding is provided through 24 entities to 46 communities. 7