Print this pageFor Immediate Release
February 10, 1999
Prosecution in Russia court case insists on discussing religious doctrine
In the trial to liquidate the Moscow Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the prosecution asserts that if someone from another religion doesn't like what you believe, you have sown religious discord and should be banned.
Today was spent with the defense questioning the evidence presented by the prosecution on the first point of its accusation—that Jehovah’s Witnesses sow religious discord. The only “evidence” presented thus far was the prosecutor’s reading from the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses. T. I. Kondratyeva, the prosecutor handling the case today, agreed that nothing in the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses encourages violence or racial or social discrimination. But, according to the prosecutor, if someone feels insulted by what is written, discord is sown.
“If offending someone is grounds for banning a religion, then soon no religions—including the Orthodox Church—will exist in Russia,” said A. I. Leontyev, an attorney for the defense, after today’s proceedings.
Human rights groups have highlighted the protection of religious freedom under the European Convention on Human Rights, which was ratified by Russia on May 5, 1998. When this issue was raised by the defense, the prosecutor denied its application to Russia. Under further questioning, she admitted that individual Russians may seek its protection, but the religious community of Jehovah’s Witnesses may not. Actually, Article 25 of the Convention guarantees the right of appeal to individuals and to organizations.
Only the first of more than a dozen points in the complaint has been reviewed. No witnesses have been called. Court was adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Using Russia’s new law on religion, the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office brought civil charges against the Moscow Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, calling for the liquidation of the religion in Moscow. Investigations on charges brought by the Youth Salvation Committee began in 1996. Four criminal investigations found no evidence to support the accusations. If the prosecution is successful in this civil case, Jehovah’s Witnesses will lose the right to express their beliefs publicly or to hold religious meetings. Contrary to prosecution assertions, Jehovah’s Witnesses are known around the world for their peaceful, moral behavior.
Detailed information on the Moscow trial can be found at www.jw-media.org. For more information on Jehovah’s Witnesses, visit www.watchtower.org.
Contact: J.R. Brown (718) 560-5600