Jehovah’s Witnesses Banned in Russia
Human Rights Organizations appeal to Russia’s Supreme Court and Presidential Administration.
VIENNA/BRUSSELS, 10. 5. 2017 (FOREF – Europe/HRWF) – The Forum for Religious Freedom – Europe (FOREF) and Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) urge the Supreme Court of Russia to overturn its 20 April 2017 decision to ban the Jehovah’s Witnesses from the country and seize their assets. FOREF and HRWF also call on President Putin and his administration to resort to a “transparent and frank” dialogue to promote better understanding of the nature of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as proposed by the religious group
“The allegation that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are an extremist group is transparently false, and the ban should be overturned,” argues Dr. Aaron Rhodes, President of FOREF. “The decision not only violates basic human rights obligations, but also puts all Russian citizens at further risk of arbitrary legal judgments. It makes a mockery of their legal system and humiliates Russia on the world stage” he added.
United Nations monitors and other experts agree that neither the doctrines nor the conduct of the Jehovah’s Witnesses can be called “extremist” with any credibility whatsoever. On the contrary, the group advocates respect for political and governmental authorities, and keeping clear of political matters.
There are about 170,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian Federation, who worship in almost 400 branches. The Russian Justice Ministry alleged that the group is a “threat to the rights of citizens, public order and public security.” But the Jehovah’s Witnesses are known as a denomination that rejects violence.
Indeed, the weakness of the General Prosecutor’s case against the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a group that has long faced persecution in Russia, is obvious to any independent observer. Consisting of vague allegations, it offers no proof, no motivation, and leaves an impression that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are being denied their internationally-guaranteed rights, and their rights under Article 28 of the Russian Federal Constitution, simply for their doctrinal differences with the Russian Orthodox Church.
If the Supreme Court ruling stands, participation in the activities of the group will be punishable by a fine of up to 600,000 rubles (over US$10,600) and a prison term of up to ten years.
For more information and/or interviews:
Peter Zoehrer (Executive Director, FOREF) +43 664-523-8794
Aaron Rhodes (President, FOREF) +49-170-323-8314
Email: foref.office@gmail.com
Blog: foref-europe.org
Willy Fautré (Executive Director, HRWF)
Email: international.secretariat.brussels@hrwf.net
Website: http://www.hrwf.eu
Appeal in English:
2017-10-05 EN-Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia2 foref hrwf
Appeal in French:
2017-05-appeal-to-supreme-court-of-russia2-foref-hrwf-french
Appeal in German:
2017-05 Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia German DE. docx
Appeal in Italian:
FOREF-HRWF-Appello alla Corte Suprema russa
Appeal in Dutch:
2017-05 Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia DUTCH
Appeal in Czech:
2017-05 Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia CZECH
Appeal in Slovakian:
2017-12-05 SLOW-Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia2 foref hrwf
Appeal in Danish:
2017-05 Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia DANISH
Appeal in Romanian:
2017-10-RO-appeal-to-supreme-court-of-russia-romanian
Appeal in Croatian:
2017-09-05 CRO-Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia2 foref hrwf
Appeal in Russian:
2017-12-05 – RU-Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia2 foref hrwf
Appeal in Hungarian:
2017-12-05 HU-Appeal to Supreme Court of Russia2 foref hrwf_hun
Appeal in Albanian:
2017-10-ALB-appeal-to-supreme-court-of-russia
RUSSIA: Statements on the recent Jehovah’s Witness Ban
On Video: Experts React to Threat of Ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
On April 5, 2017, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation is expected to rule on whether to liquidate and ban the activity of all legal entities used by Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout Russia. A ruling against the Witnesses would criminalize their worship. Several human rights experts from Russia and abroad comment on the unjust actions of Russian authorities and how a ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses would affect not only the Witnesses but also Russia’s international reputation and religious freedom for its citizens.
Heiner Bielefeldt
“If Jehovah’s Witnesses are extremist, I think we all are.”
Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Annika Hvithamar
‘If Jehovah’s Witnesses are extremist, then most versions of Christianity could be accused of the same thing.’
Associate Professor/Head of Studies, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen
Dr. Massimo Introvigne
Dr. Massimo Introvigne: “The only relationship between Jehovah’s Witnesses and violence is that they have been victims of violence”
Sociologist and Former Representative of the OSCE on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, Discrimination