USCIRF 2019 Report mentions Scientology

mnql1 · May 1, 2019

On April 29, 2019, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2019 Annual Report.

Excerpts concerning Scientology in Russia:

During 2018, Russia accelerated the repressive behavior that led USCIRF to recommend its designation as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, for the first time in 2017. The government continued to target “nontraditional” religious minorities with fines, detentions, and criminal charges under the pretext of combating extremism. Russian legislation targets “extremism” without adequately defining the term, enabling the state to prosecute a vast range of nonviolent, nonpolitical religious activity. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, whom the government banned outright in 2017, faced severe persecution by the state. By the end of the reporting period, hundreds of members remained in detention, had travel restrictions imposed, or were under investigation, and church property estimated at $90 million had been confiscated. The leadership of the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology remained under house arrest, while numerous adherents of the Islamic missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat and readers of the works of Turkish theologian Said Nursi were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for peaceful religious expression.

In 2018, the U.S. government increased pressure on Russia over its violations of religious freedom. On June 18, the State Department announced it was “deeply concerned” about the growing number of religious prisoners in Russia, specifically mentioning Mr. Christensen*, the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology leadership, and followers of Said Nursi.

*On May 25, 2017, Danish citizen Dennis Christensen was arrested at a peaceful meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city of Oryol, about 200 miles south of Moscow.

The Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology was designated a “destructive” group by the Russian legislature in 1996. Although never banned outright, the church has been hindered by Russia’s strict registration laws. Despite attempting to register as a religion on 12 separate occasions, they were denied each time because of supposed administrative technicalities. On June 6, 2017, Russian police raided the Church of Scientology in St. Petersburg as well as the homes of all five leaders of the group, who were arrested on charges of “illegal business operations” and extremism. During 2018, the three female leaders remained under house arrest or restricted freedom regimes while the two male leaders, Sakhib Aliev and Ivan Matsitsky, remained in prison. According to a complaint filed by Matsitsky’s lawyer, his client suffered inhumane conditions while in custody. This included being placed in solitary confinement for 10 days and being forced to share his cell with a convicted murderer who systematically threatened him, pressured him to confess, and tormented him by refusing to close the window in the middle of winter. Although conditions have subsequently improved, Matsitsky remained in pretrial for an indeterminate period and was rarely able to visit with his wife and family. USCIRF advocates on behalf of Matsitsky as part of its Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

Regarding Kazakhstan:

In October 2018, Kazakhstan hosted the Sixth Congress, devoted to “Overcoming Extremism and Terrorism,” which was attended by 80 delegates from 46 countries. Representatives from religious groups that the government of Kazakhstan considered “extremist” were notably absent—such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Scientology, the Union of Evangelical Baptists, and Tablighi Jamaat.

Ann O'Nymous · May 3, 2019

A country with an extreme view of religious freedom criticizing another one with the opposite extreme view...

At a time when religion seems to play a growing role in politics (e.g. Brazil), it would be good that a moderate view emerges and denounces both extremes.

In 2018, the U.S. government increased pressure on Russia over its violations of religious freedom. On June 18, the State Department announced it was “deeply concerned” about the growing number of religious prisoners in Russia, specifically mentioning Mr. Christensen*, the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology leadership, and followers of Said Nursi.

*On May 25, 2017, Danish citizen Dennis Christensen was arrested at a peaceful meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city of Oryol, about 200 miles south of Moscow.

A scientologist arrested at a Jehovah's Witnesses' meeting ? Sounds weird.

Log in or Sign up

USCIRF 2019 Report mentions Scientology

mnql1 Member

Ann O'Nymous Member

Share This Page

Customize Theme Colors

Predefined Skins