The European Commission answers questions about Russian legislation                    on religious groups

Written Question E-3429/06 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Russian legislation on religious groups

The amendments which the Russian Federation made to its legislation on NGOs at the end of last year have already repeatedly come in for comment and criticism. Despite the persistent criticisms of this highly restrictive legislation, a number of amendments have now also been proposed in a similar spirit which would severely restrict religious freedom in Russia. The new amendments have been drafted in order to give the State even greater control over religious life. The Federal Registration Service would acquire a de facto monopoly on the registration of new and existing religious groups, all of this being based on vague and arbitrary legislation and subject to little or no external supervision. In practice this would be extremely damaging, particularly to religious minorities. The new proposals display little respect for such important European values as freedom of religion and tolerance, and are contrary to the agreed principles underlying cooperation between Russia and the EU.

Is the Commission aware of this, does it agree with the new measure and how will it inform the Russian Federation of its conclusions?  

Answer E-3429/06EN given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner

on behalf of the Commission (06.09.2006)

The Commission attaches great importance to the rights of freedom of religion, belief and expression in its dialogue with third countries and is apposed to religious intolerance of any kind. Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is one of the fundamental human rights and as such is enshrined in a number of international instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18), the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9). In addition, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guides the Commission external action in this field, makes clear that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 10) and that cultural, religious and linguistic diversity should be respected.

Respect for fundamental rights is an essential part of the common values which underpin the EU-Russia relationship based on the Partnership and Cooperation and the Common Spaces Road Maps. The Commission and the EU as a whole has made its concerns known to Russia about the new non-governmental organizations (NGO) legislation adopted earlier in 2006. In its statement of 19 January 2006, the EU expressed its intention to pay close attention to the implementation of the law and its expectation that it would be implemented in line with standards and commitments undertaken in the framework of the Council of Europe and the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The Commission is also aware of the adoption by the Russian Duma and Federation Council in July 2006 of amendments to the anti-extremism law and will be following the implementation on the new law.

The regular EU-Russia human rights consultations provide opportunity for a dialogue with Russia on these issues and the EU is likely to raise them at the next round in autumn 2006. 

Source:            Human Rights  Without Frontier (HRWF)

Website:          http://www.hrwf.net               Email: info@hrwf.net