Russia: Update to Response to Information Request RUS29447.E of 26 May 1998: whether Jehovah's Witnesses encounter any difficulties, whether they are restricted in their ability to practise their religion, whether there have been incidents in which they were harassed, mistreated, threatened with violence or were victims of violence on account of their religious views or activities and, if so, details on the incidents (1 June 1997 - May 1998)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS29644.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Update to Response to Information Request RUS29447.E of 26 May 1998: whether Jehovah's Witnesses encounter any difficulties, whether they are restricted in their ability to practise their religion, whether there have been incidents in which they were harassed, mistreated, threatened with violence or were victims of violence on account of their religious views or activities and, if so, details on the incidents (1 June 1997 - May 1998), 1 June 1998, RUS29644.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac7f5c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A letter sent to the Research Directorate on 27 May 1998 by the foreign service secretary of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in Brooklyn states:
This will respond to your letter of May 25 in which you ask if Russian citizens who are Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia encounter any difficulties on account of their religious views or activities.
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia have full freedom of religion. They are a registered religious body legalized for several years. They do not encounter persecution as a result of their Christian beliefs. Jehovah's Witnesses are able to assemble for their Christian meetings including large conventions and they also preach the Word of God in public.
You ask if Russian citizens who are Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia are restricted in their ability to practice their religion. To the best of our knowledge, this is not the case.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Brooklyn. 27 May 1998. Letter sent to the Research Directorate by the foreign service secretary.
