![](\"http:\/\/bno.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/img-24-600x360.jpg\")
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\nEnsuring respect for the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief is a pillar of our shared OSCE commitments and the OSCE\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comprehensive concept of security. As recently as the Kyiv Ministerial meeting in 2013, participating States \u00e2\u20ac\u0153committed to ensuring respect for and enjoyment of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Our ministers reaffirmed \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the commitments of participating States to respect, protect, and ensure the right of everyone to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Likewise, our ministers called on all participating States to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fully implement their commitments to ensure the right of all individuals to profess and practice religion or belief, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, and to manifest their religion or belief through teaching, practice, worship and observance, including through transparent and non-discriminatory laws, regulations, practices and policies.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
The United States is disturbed by reports regarding government harassment of religious groups and adherents in the Russian Federation. The reported raids on homes and places of worship, including those on April 10 in Ufa, April 18 in Polyarny, April 19 in Vladivostok, and April 20 in Shuya contradict Russia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s OSCE commitments. Regrettably, Russia continues to use its \u00e2\u20ac\u0153anti-extremism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d laws to curtail and criminalize the exercise of religious freedom.<\/p>\n
The United States remains appalled by the Russian government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s decision in July 2017 to ban the Jehovah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Witnesses, a peaceful religious group, as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153extremist.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d On May 3, a St. Petersburg court upheld the confiscation of the Jehovah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Witnesses\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 headquarters on the basis that the religious group has been banned as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153extremist.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In a move that harkens back to Stalin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Soviet Union, the Russian government will seize the Jehovah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Witnesses\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 property.<\/p>\n
In response to our statements on this issue in July and September 2017, the Russian Federation repeatedly asserted that its efforts to combat so-called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153extremism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d would not interfere with the exercise of freedom of religion or belief and were only targeting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153dangerous foreign entities.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The opposite is the case.<\/p>\n
It seems Russia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s actions in contravention of OSCE commitments may be spilling over into other parts of the OSCE region. We urge other participating States not to repress the exercise of freedom of religion or belief and justify repression in the name of security. Only through respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion or belief, can the region work toward true security.<\/p>\n
In closing, we renew our call on Russia to immediately release all those imprisoned simply for exercising their freedom of religion or belief. According to Memorial there were 103 prisoners of conscience in the Russian Federation. We urge Russia to release prisoners of conscience unfairly held in pre-trial detention and drop any ongoing criminal investigations into their activities. We call on Russia to halt the seizure of the Jehovah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Witnesses headquarters property, and abide by its international obligations and OSCE commitments to respect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for all.<\/p>\n
Thank you, Mr. Chair.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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