Museum Statement on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

WASHINGTON – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is deeply concerned over recent reports of harassment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and the Russian Justice Ministry’s announced intent to ban the religion due to its members engaging...

Russia: Jehovah’s Witnesses Break Law by Refusing Blood Transfusions

Jehovah’s Witnesses break the law forbidding “extremism” when its members refuse blood transfusions, Russia’s Justice Ministry said Thursday at a Supreme Court hearing on the question of banning the religious group in the country. The...

RUSSIA: Police harassment as Supreme Court considers ban

Russia's Supreme Court is due to resume considering a total ban on Jehovah's Witness activity on 12 April. Already police in several towns have disrupted their worship. A Moscow community's rental of a hall to...

Day 3: Report: the Supreme Court is hearing a case on the prohibition of religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses

9amIn Moscow, a soft rain drizzles. Along the facade of the Supreme Court stretched a large queue of those who came to the process as listeners. A large bus is parked at the courthouse on Povarskaya Street,...

Day 2: Report: the Supreme Court is hearing a case on the prohibition of religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses

12:00The weather in Moscow is warm and sunny. Near the entrance to the court a large number of people were formed. Television journalists work. Among those present, there is a calm, friendly atmosphere. Noticeable increased security measures. Directly at the...

Day 1: Report: the Supreme Court is hearing a case on the prohibition of religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Supreme Court of Russia started hearings on the lawsuit on the liquidation of Jehovah's Witnesses. A textual report is being conducted from the courtroom.10:58The large beautiful courtroom is crowded. There are more than 200 people, including...

Russian Supreme Court rejects Jehovah Witnesses’ counterclaim seeking their recognition as victims of political repression

Moscow, April 5, Interfax - The Russian Supreme Court, having heard the parties' arguments, decided not to accept the counterclaim filed by Russia's Jehovah Witnesses seeking recognition of their organization as a victim of political repression."Decline to...

Russia Moves to Ban Jehovah’s Witnesses as ‘Extremist’

VOROKHOBINO, Russia — A dedicated pacifist who has never even held a gun, Andrei Sivak discovered that his government considered him a dangerous extremist when he tried to change some money and the teller “suddenly...

KAZAKHSTAN: Lawyers now face trial for defending client

The two lawyers for a Jehovah's Witness now on trial in Astana are themselves under criminal investigation. The KNB secret police investigator accuses them of "revealing information from a pre-trial investigation" by appealing to President...

Russia’s Misuse of Terrorism and Extremism Laws to Restrict the Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief

 As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kate M. Byrnesto the Permanent Council, ViennaMarch 30, 2017 Thank you, Mr. Chair.The freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief is a pillar of the OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security. In...