Jul 5, 2023
USCIRF Releases New Reports on Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new reports on religious freedom conditions in the Russian Federation and Russia’s religious freedom violations in Ukraine:
Russia Country Update – Since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russian authorities have continued their systematic harassment and prosecution of religious minority communities within the Russian Federation, while simultaneously launching the largest crackdown on independent civil society in decades. This country update provides an overview of religious freedom conditions in Russia following its most recent invasion of Ukraine. It discusses the Russian government’s use of vague, problematic legislation to oppress religious communities and fine and imprison members for their peaceful religious activities. It also highlights Russian efforts to suppress human rights organizations, independent media, and dissenters, including those who document religious freedom violations and peacefully protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine using religious language.
Russia’s Religious Freedom Violations in Ukraine – For nearly ten years, the Russian Federation through its military and proxy forces has committed gross religious freedom violations in Ukraine. Following Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea, Russian-installed authorities there and in Donbas have enforced repressive Russian laws that severely curtail religious freedom and target religious minorities. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian military forces have frequently damaged and destroyed religious buildings and other sites and killed or injured those sheltering or worshiping in these places. In areas under Russian control, de-facto authorities have abducted and tortured religious leaders and enforced the same repressive Russian legal mechanisms that were imposed in Crimea and Donbas. Furthermore, official Russian state discourse justifying and supporting the war has frequently resorted to rhetoric demonizing Jews, distorting the Holocaust, denigrating “non-traditional” religious groups and the LGBTQI+ community, and characterizing Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine as justified based on religion. This issue update highlights Russia’s religious freedom violations across Ukraine in the wake of its 2022 invasion.
In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. government redesignate Russia as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In November 2022, the U.S. Department of State redesignated Russia as a CPC. In March of this year, USCIRF held a hearing on Russia’s religious freedom violations in Ukraine and Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]
Additional Name(s): Ahmad Al-Malahi, أحمد الملاحي
Gender: Male
Current Location: Sana'a
Perpetrator: Houthis
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Health Concerns: Liver fibrosis
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Date of Detainment: May/25/2023
Date of Release: July//2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Expression Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Ahmad Al Malahi was detained for his religious activity.
On May 25, 2023, armed Houthi forces detained 17 Baha’is, including Al Malahi, after raiding a private residence in Sana’a where members of the Baha’i community were attending their annual national convention to elect the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Yemen. Al Malahi and the others were reportedly accused of practicing a “fake religion” and spying for Israel, the US, and UK. They were taken to an unspecified detention center in Sana'a.
On June 21, 2023, Al Malahi was reportedly hospitalized in an ICU ward due to the aggravation of a pre-existing liver problem. After a brief medical examination, the Houthis reportedly brought Al Malahi back to prison.
On or around July 12, 2023, Houthi authorities released Al Malahi.
Al Malahi suffers from category 3 liver fibrosis, a life-threatening chronic illness that requires specific medications and diet that the Houthis have refused to provide.
Al Malahi is married with three children. His wife is pregnant with their fourth child.
USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Stephen Schneck, Tweet, July 12, 2023
USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Nury Turkel, Tweet, June 30, 2023
USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Calls for Immediate Release of Baha’is Forcibly Disappeared by the Houthis in Yemen June 2, 2023
“Yemen: Houthis Forcibly Disappear Baha’is” Human Rights Watch (HRW)
“Armed Houthis attack peaceful Baha’i gathering, arresting at least 17, in fresh crackdown” Bahá’í International Community
USCIRF Factsheet: Religious Freedom in Houthi-Controlled Areas of Yemen May 2023
Additional Name(s): Николая Богославского
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 1 Year's Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: April//2023
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization
Nikolai Bogoslavsky is imprisoned for his religious affiliation.
In April 2023, the City Court of Anapa sentenced Bogoslavsky, pastor of the Evangelical Christ the Savior Church, to one year in prison for “participating in the activities of a foreign or international non-governmental organization, in respect of which a decision has been made to recognize its activities as undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation” (Art. 284.1-1 RCC). Prosecutors argued that Bogoslavsky had remained in contact with members of New Generation Church, which authorities designated as "undesirable," and used New Generation Church symbols on social media.
In June 2023, the Krasnodar Regional Court upheld Bogoslavsky's sentence and banned him from engaging in public activities, including using the internet, for seven years.
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation July 2023
"Court of Appeal toughens punishment for pastor from Anapa" Caucasian Knot
"Пастору из Анапы, осужденному по статье о «нежелательной организации», ужесточили приговор" OVD-Info
"Russia: Anapa Pastor Sent to Labor Colony for Contacts with “Undesirable” Foreign Churches" Bitter Winter
"Pastor from Anapa convicted under article about undesirable organization" Caucasian Knot
"Пастора из Анапы приговорили к году лишения свободы по статье о «нежелательной организации»" OVD-Info
"В Анапе пастор приговорен к году колонии за сотрудничество с «Новым поколением»" SOVA Canter