Kevin Jess - Russia has decided to continue its ban against Jehovah's Witnesses despite the European Court of Human Rights' decision that the country is violating basic human rights and freedom of religion, further highlighting the discrimination this religious group has experienced for years.
On September 9, 2010 in response to the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) June 10
ruling that made clear that the liquidation and ban on Jehovah's
Witnesses was in violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed by
the European Convention, including freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful
association, Russia has made it official by challenging the ECHR's unanimous
decision.
Human Rights (ECHR) June 10
ruling that made clear that the liquidation and ban on Jehovah's
Witnesses was in violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed by
the European Convention, including freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful
association, Russia has made it official by challenging the ECHR's unanimous
decision.
The Russian government's request for the case to be referred
to the Grand Chamber delays the country's compliance with the Court's ruling
that would restore the religious organization's status as a registered
association and will instead add fuel to an already heated environment of
religious intolerance in Russia says a press release on the
official website of Jehovah's Witnesses.
to the Grand Chamber delays the country's compliance with the Court's ruling
that would restore the religious organization's status as a registered
association and will instead add fuel to an already heated environment of
religious intolerance in Russia says a press release on the
official website of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Russia has maintained its stance of supporting “traditional”
religions while trying to push aside the “others” and using the people's fear
of terrorism to label others as extremist. “Traditional” religions are defined
as Russian Orthodox, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This view is supported by the
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church but according to Russian religious
affairs expert Sergey
Buryanov this stance has actually increased the terrorist
threat in the country.
religions while trying to push aside the “others” and using the people's fear
of terrorism to label others as extremist. “Traditional” religions are defined
as Russian Orthodox, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This view is supported by the
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church but according to Russian religious
affairs expert Sergey
Buryanov this stance has actually increased the terrorist
threat in the country.
The Russian government has continued its harassment of
Jehovah's Witnesses since the June court ruling, even installing secret video
cameras and tapping phones in the homes of Witnesses reports Eurasia News..
The government's motive is unclear, other than labeling literature published by
the Watchtower Society as extremist, and of course the organization's belief of
abstaining from military service.
Jehovah's Witnesses since the June court ruling, even installing secret video
cameras and tapping phones in the homes of Witnesses reports Eurasia News..
The government's motive is unclear, other than labeling literature published by
the Watchtower Society as extremist, and of course the organization's belief of
abstaining from military service.
Since Jehovah's Witnesses pose no threat to any government it
is not the fear of terrorist actions from the group that motivates the Russian
government to take action against them but could be their world view, where
they put God over country. The Russian government sees the Orthodox Church as a
unifying factor and has direct involvement with the church that it cannot have
with Jehovah's Witnesses.
is not the fear of terrorist actions from the group that motivates the Russian
government to take action against them but could be their world view, where
they put God over country. The Russian government sees the Orthodox Church as a
unifying factor and has direct involvement with the church that it cannot have
with Jehovah's Witnesses.
Grigory Martynov, spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia told Forum 18
that “all 160,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia cannot feel secure even in
their own homes.” He estimates that incidents involving Witnesses as far as
arrests, searches and detentions in Russia now total around 300.
Russia told Forum 18
that “all 160,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia cannot feel secure even in
their own homes.” He estimates that incidents involving Witnesses as far as
arrests, searches and detentions in Russia now total around 300.
Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide look to the European Court
either to allow the present ruling to stand or to reinforce it by an affirming
ruling from the Grand Chamber.
either to allow the present ruling to stand or to reinforce it by an affirming
ruling from the Grand Chamber.
Good article Kevin. As Matthew 24:14 reads.."And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." People are getting the truth. Jehovah's name is being expounded and his purpose explained with clarity. May you continue to write these intelligent, interesting articles brother.
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