Jehovah's Witnesses banned in Russia

Religious freedom is under pressure worldwide, particularly in Russia. The Supreme Court in Russia recently ruled that Jehovah's Witnesses constitute an extremist organization. This legal battle had been ongoing for years against the organization, which, according to Russian authorities, is a state-hostile sect inciting hatred. With this verdict, all activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in the country are immediately banned.

According to the Russian government, the organization is detrimental to family life, incites hatred, and endangers human lives. Due to the ruling, the national headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in St. Petersburg will be closed. Furthermore, the government seizes all property throughout the country. As a result, 395 local branches must close their doors. The competent minister also prohibits all 'extremist publications' of the organization.

The trial lasted six days, and the Supreme Court judges primarily reviewed the organization's pamphlets. According to the Supreme Court, these incite hatred against other groups.

The lawyers for Jehovah's Witnesses will appeal based on the Russian constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. They even want to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Under communism, many religions were banned, including Jehovah's Witnesses. Only since 1991 were they allowed to resume their activities in Russia. However, fines and penalties continued to rain down.

However, they are not alone in this. The Russian government considers them a sect, just like Mormons or Seventh-day Adventists.

It is clear that as Putin gains power, he wants to restrict religions, outside the "state church". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is already suffering consequences. Missionaries are no longer allowed on the street and may only "preach" within the walls of their churches.

Religious freedom is under pressure worldwide. As public opinion increasingly links terror to certain religions, support for the suppression of religious freedom rises. Even in our country...

Just look at how, for example, a municipality like Nevele tried to no longer make its premises available to religions. Or how much support Open VLD received with the proposal to no longer give subsidies to religions.

Believers are becoming a minority. There's nothing wrong with that in itself, we just need to make sure they don't become outcasts.