Council of Europe Committee of Ministers heard a report on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

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Council of Europe Committee of Ministers heard a report on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

April 20, 2017

Trying to complete ban Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

 

5 April 2017 in Strasbourg (France) at the 1283 meeting, the Committee of Ministers (body control over the execution of ECHR judgments) raised the issue of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia in light of the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice to the Supreme Court. The corresponding statement was made by representative of the European Union.

The European Union urged the Russian authorities to ensure that Jehovah's Witnesses peaceful enjoyment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the right to freedom of assembly and association without further intervention as guaranteed by the Constitution. Russian authorities have to comply with international agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights as well as international standards of human rights.

Strasbourg, 04.05.2017. Unique ID: 170407_38 
1283rd meeting of the Committee of Ministers

Declaration by the European Union on the issue of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

The statement of claim dated March 15, filed by the Russian Federation Ministry of Justice to the Supreme Court, is the latest undertaken harsh measure against Jehovah's Witnesses and the further strengthening of the violation of their rights and the prosecution of which they are exposed in Russia, which is contrary to international standards on freedom of religion or convictions.

This solution can lead to the elimination of the Administrative Center and all local offices of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and the confiscation of their property. Meanwhile, the Ministry of canopy at the Administrative Center of the label "extremist" and imposed across the country ban on all legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is a very negative development of events, which can lead to criminal charges against Jehovah's Witnesses but for his confession of their religion.

The European Union shares the concern of the UN Human Rights Committee on a number of messages indicating that the Federal Law "On Countering Extremist Activity" is increasingly being used in the Russian Federation to limit the freedom of religion, aimed, inter alia, against the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Russian authorities should ensure that Jehovah's Witnesses peaceful enjoyment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the right to freedom of assembly and association without further intervention as guaranteed by the Constitution. Russian authorities have to comply with international agreements, inter alia the European Convention on Human Rights as well as international standards of human rights.

The European Union continues to promote freedom of religion or belief as a right that must be exercised by all and everywhere, based on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and universality. In accordance with the international law of human rights to freedom of religion or belief, together with other includes (but is not limited to): the legal capacity of a legal entity and non-interference in internal affairs, including the right to establish and maintain open access places of worship or assembly, the freedom to choose and train leaders and the right to carry out social, cultural, educational and charitable activities.