OSCE Headquarters in Vienna. Photo source: OSCE / Curtis Budden
OSCE Headquarters in Vienna. Photo source: OSCE / Curtis Budden
On May 10, 2018, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issued a statement on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. The European Union is deeply concerned about the increasing persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. "The Russian government claimed that although it had liquidated the legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses, individual believers were free to practice their faith," the statement said. Over the past year, authorities have opened nine criminal investigations and five Jehovah's Witnesses are currently in detention."
EUROPEAN UNION
PC. DEL/588/18 10 May 2018
OSCE Permanent Council No. 1185
Vienna, 10 May 2018
The European Union is deeply concerned by recent reports of increased state harassment of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, including police raids on private homes, arbitrary detentions and intimidation.
We have repeatedly stated that Jehovah's Witnesses, like all other people, should be able to peacefully practice their religion and enjoy freedom of assembly without discrimination, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and international obligations.
On April 20, 2017, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation banned the activities of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses and all 395 local legal entities of the Witnesses on the basis of legislation on "extremism." The Russian government claimed that although it had liquidated the legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses, individual believers were free to practice their faith. However, the government's words are at odds with its actions. Over the past year, authorities have opened nine criminal investigations, and five Jehovah's Witnesses are currently in detention. All of them could face possible jail time of up to ten years just for getting together to hold a peaceful worship service. In addition to criminal investigations, the Russian state has confiscated some 90 to 100 properties belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses by court order, and another 100 properties are currently under trial. Russian authorities also threaten Jehovah's Witnesses with deprivation of parental rights.
The EU reiterates its call on Russia and all other OSCE participating States to abide by their international obligations on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. OSCE participating States have repeatedly stressed the importance of freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental principle of universal security.
The EU will continue to closely monitor developments concerning Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the OSCE area and is concerned by reports that several participating States are restricting the right of Jehovah's Witnesses to profess their faith.
Freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief is a fundamental right of every human being and excludes any discrimination. This right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as joint OSCE commitments. Freedom of religion or belief includes the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, in teaching, worship and worship. The EU continues to promote freedom of religion or belief, which must be respected and promoted everywhere on the basis of the principles of equality, non-discrimination and universality.