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Smith’s Human Rights Subcommittee Urges Protect Religious Freedom |
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“Russia’s religious minorities continue to suffer from harassment and violence, with such episodes becoming alarmingly common,” said Chairman Smith (R-NJ), who has championed the causes of religious freedom and global human rights since being elected to Congress. “The resolution passed today underscores the challenges that religious communities in the Putin era face and urges the Russian government to ensure religious freedom for all.” Under a Russian law established in 1997, religious groups must be registered with both local and federal authorities in order to own property and enjoy legal personality. Groups that are not registered have often been subject to harassment and violence. While the national Russian government has generally been supportive, it has turned a blind eye to local officials as police raid unregistered religious communities or overlook crimes committed against religious minorities. “The types of distinctions between registered and unregistered religious communities are not viable under international standards,” said Smith. “ The State Department’s 2005 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom noted that “I’ll never forget the pictures I saw of the arson attack against a Baptist church in
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For Immediate Release: November 15, 2005 Contact: Brad Dayspring (202) 225-3765 |
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