Nov 17, 2022

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom Implications of
Official and Favored Religions

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Global Overview of Official and Favored Religions and Legal Implications for Religious Freedom – This report provides an overview of the ways governments enforce religion through their laws and policies and the implications of that enforcement for religious freedom and related human rights. Many governments that repress religious freedom do so through laws and policies that coerce compliance with a particular religious interpretation, typically one that aligns with an official or state-favored religion. Such laws—particularly when governments actively enforce them—can lead to severe violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and other human rights, including discrimination on the basis of religion against individuals and communities who do not adhere to the state’s interpretation. The report, based on research into all countries with official or favored religions, finds that most governments with an official or favored religion also maintain laws or policies on the basis of religion that lead to discrimination or repression, or that hold the potential to do so. Far fewer such countries—less than a third—name an official or favored religion and maintain no discriminatory laws or policies based on that religion.

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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): Viktor Vladimirovich Zimovskiy, Зимовский Виктор Владимирович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Replaced with 6 Years, 2 Months' Suspended Imprisonment

Sentence: 6 Years, 2 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/14/2022

Date of Sentencing: November/14/2022

Date of Release: March/1/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Viktor Zimovskiy

Extra Bio Info:

Viktor Zimovskiy was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On January 23, 2020, authorities in Georgievsk detained Zimovskiy after summoning him for questioning. Zimovskiy was reportedly being investigated for holding religious services and having discussions about religious topics. 

On March 23, 2020, Zimovskiy was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest.

On May 6, 2020, Zimovskiy's house arrest was lifted.

On November 14, 2022, the Georgievsk City Court of the Stavropol Territory sentenced Zimovskiy to six years and two months in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC). Zimovskiy was also reportedly convicted of “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC). Zimovskiy was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On March 1, 2023, the Stavropol Regional Court replaced Zimovskiy's sentence with a suspended sentence. He was subsequently released from prison.

Publicly Available Information:

 

Additional Name(s): Aleksander Seredkin, Aleksandr Ivanovich Seredkin, Серёдкин Александр Иванович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/15/2022

Date of Sentencing: November/15/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism

Aleksandr Seredkin

Extra Bio Info:

Aleksandr Seredkin is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On April 19, 2019, authorities detained Seredkin after executing raids on Jehovah Witnesses homes in Novosibirsk and other regions. Seredkin was accused of "organizing meetings and directing the reading and discussion" of religious literature.

On April 21, 2019, Seredkin was placed under house arrest.

On October 16, 2019, Seredkin's house arrest was lifted.

On November 15, 2022, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Novosibirsk sentenced Seredkin to six years in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC). Seredkin was taken into custody following the verdict.

On June 16, 2023, the Novosibirsk Regional Court upheld Seredkin's sentence. 

Publicly Available Information:
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