Additional Name(s): Балабкин Владимир Моисеевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Health Concerns: Elderly, Cancer

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year's Suspended Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 4 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/13/2023

Date of Sentencing: September/13/2023

Date of Release: December/19/2023

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

Vladimir Balabkin

Extra Bio Info:

Vladimir Balabkin was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 13, 2023, the Belogorsk District Court sentenced Balabkin to four 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). Authorities had prosecuted Balabkin for holding Jehovah's Witness religious services. Balabkin was taken into custody following the verdict.

On December 19, 2023, the Amur Regional Court reduced Balabkin's sentence to one year of suspended imprisonment after it reclassified his charges to “participating in the activities of a public or religious association, or any other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-2 RCC). Balabkin was released from custody following the verdict.

Balabkin is in his seventies and suffers from cancer. 

Balabkin is married, with his wife also suffering from serious medical issues.

Sep 20

WHEN:

Sep 20th 9:30am - Sep 20th 11:00am

 

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Advancing Religious Freedom within the U.S. - India Bilateral Relationship

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM ET
216 Hart Senate Office Building

Hearing Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a hearing on religious freedom in India and how the U.S. government can work with the Indian government to address violations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, D.C. reflects the close bilateral relationship between the United States and India. However, over the last decade, the Indian government has enacted and enforced discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities, including anti-conversion laws, cow slaughter laws, legislation granting citizenship preferences based on religion, and restrictions on foreign funding for civil society organizations. Recent trends include the eruption of violence between Hindus and Muslims in Haryana in July and targeted attacks against Christian and Jewish minorities in Manipur, highlighting the need for new strategies to mitigate violence against religious minorities in India.

Since 2020, USCIRF has recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. Witnesses discussed the Indian government’s legal framework and enforcement of discriminatory policies, explained current religious freedom conditions, and offered policy options for the United States to work with India to combat abuses of religious freedom and related human rights in the country.

Opening Remarks

Panel I

  • Fernand de Varennes, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues
    Written Testimony

Panel II

  • Tariq Ahmad, Foreign Law Specialist, Law Library of Congress
    Written Testimony
  • Sarah Yager, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch
    Written Testimony
  • Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights; and representing Dalit Solidarity Forum, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, Indian American Muslim Council, India Civil Watch International, and New York State Council of Churches
    Written Testimony
  • Irfan Nooruddin, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Professor of Indian Politics, Georgetown University
    Written Testimony

Witness Biographies

Submitted for the Record

Statement from Hindus for Human Rights

Statement from The Sikh Coalition

Statement by John Newton, Aid to the Church in Need International

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The hearing will be livestreamed, and the video recording will be posted on the Commission website. Members of the media can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. For any additional questions, please email Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected].

Oct 23

WHEN:

Oct 23rd 3:00pm - Oct 23rd 5:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

The First 25 Years: IRFA Accomplishments and Next Steps

Monday, October 23, 2023
3:00-5:00 pm ET
Kennedy Caucus Room
325 Russell Senate Office Building

 

Watch on C-Span

Event Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted an event commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA)

Freedom of religion is both America’s first freedom and a universal human right. Yet many people around the world live in countries where this right is denied or restricted. Twenty-five years ago, IRFA was enacted to elevate religious freedom as a higher priority in U.S. foreign policy and strengthen the United States’ advocacy on behalf of individuals persecuted in foreign countries on account of their religion or belief.

Speakers reflected on the impact of IRFA and the next steps for U.S. foreign policy. This event also highlighted individuals and communities persecuted for their religion or belief, as well as the many victims of religious freedom violations documented in the Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List

Opening Remarks
•    Abraham Cooper, Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks
•    Frederick A. Davie, Vice Chair, USCIRF
Written Remarks

Congressional Remarks
All Members of Congress were invited to speak.
•    ​​​Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Written Remarks
•    Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
Recorded Remarks
•    Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Written Remarks
•    Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA)
Written Remarks
•    Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL)
Recorded Remarks
•    Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Recorded Remarks

Panel I – A Retrospective and Prospective Look on IRFA’s Passage
•    Frank Wolf, Commissioner, USCIRF 
Recorded Remarks
•    Former Senator Don Nickles
Recorded Remarks
•    Former Senator Joe Lieberman
Recorded Remarks

Panel II – Raising Awareness of Religious Prisoners of Conscience Through Frank R. Wolf FoRB Victims List and TLHRC Defending Freedoms Project

Moderator
•    David Curry, Commissioner, USCIRF

Panelists
•    Kimberly Stanton, Democratic Staff Director, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
•    Sasha LaPonsa, Democratic Staff Associate, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
•    Judy Golub, Director of Strategy and Planning for Religious News Foundation/Service and FoRB Women's Alliance Co-Founder

Remarks from Former Religious Prisoners of Conscience (RPOCs)
• Nguyen Bac Truyen, Vietnam
Recorded Remarks
• Jahongir Kulidjanov, Uzbekistan
Recorded Remarks
• Seymur Mammadov, Azerbaijan
Recorded Remarks

Panel III – USCIRF’s Key Accomplishments and Upcoming Activities
•    USCIRF Commissioners and Staff

 

Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. For any additional questions or interview requests, please contact [email protected].