Historic Milestones in France
2014—Ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses are certified as prison chaplains, ending discrimination against them that began with the 1995 parliamentary report
JUNE 30, 2011—The European Court of Human Rights condemns France for violating Jehovah’s Witnesses’ freedom of religion (ATJ v. France)
2000—The Council of State confirms that local legal entities are exclusively religious and therefore are tax exempt
1995—Parliamentary Inquiry Commission negatively classifies Jehovah’s Witnesses in its report “Sects in France”
1993—The Council of State recognizes that Kingdom Halls owned by local legal entities are used exclusively for worship and therefore are tax exempt
SEPTEMBER 1947—Legal registration granted to the Association Les Témoins de Jéhovah
OCTOBER 1939—France bans the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses
1930—Watch Tower Society opens branch office in Paris
AUGUST 27, 1919—French International Bible Students Association is formed with its headquarters in Paris
1906—France officially registers the first association of Bible Students