Why Do Russians Hate Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Well, hello friends! It’s so good to be with you today. We’re going to talk about something that’s on the hearts of many, a situation that calls for our understanding and our prayers. It’s about our brothers and sisters, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and what they’re facing in Russia. It’s a journey of faith, and like many journeys, it has its challenges, including a nationwide ban and ongoing difficulties. But we know that even in tough times, light can shine through.

This article is for all you wonderful Christian readers out there who are looking to understand this situation a little better. We’ll touch on why there’s this tension, looking at religious freedom, some of the differences in beliefs, and how the government has responded. Russia is a nation with deep, deep roots in Orthodox Christianity, and that’s part of this story too. We’re going to walk through the history, the beliefs, the reasons given for the ban, what the Russian Orthodox Church thinks, and what life is like for Jehovah’s Witnesses there right now. Our aim is to bring clarity and

A Century of Faith and Hardship: What is the History of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia?

The challenges that Jehovah’s Witnesses are facing in Russia today aren’t just out of the blue. They’re part of a long story, a journey of faith that’s stretched over a hundred years, and often, it’s been a tough road. Their presence in Russia actually goes all the way back to 1891.⁶ After World War II, when the Soviet Union expanded its borders westward, it brought existing communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses into the USSR, and their numbers began to grow.⁷

The Soviet era, that was a time of severe hardship and persecution. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Jehovah’s Witnesses were banned.⁶ This pressure reached a peak in 1951 with something called “Operation North.” This was a massive, state-organized deportation under Stalin. Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including precious children and the elderly, were forcibly sent away to remote, harsh areas in Siberia and Central Asia.⁵ They had to endure terrible conditions under what was called “special exile” all the way until the mid-1960s. And even when the official exile ended, they still faced constant harassment, discrimination in finding jobs and getting an education, and unending pressure from the authorities and society to give up their faith.⁷ Going to prison was also a reality, especially for young men who, because of their peaceful beliefs, refused to do mandatory military service.⁷ This whole period shows a long, sustained pattern of the state trying to suppress them, long before these current “extremism” laws even existed.

But then, when the Soviet Union collapsed, things changed in a big way. In 1991, Jehovah’s Witnesses were legally recognized in the Russian Republic.⁵ This opened up a season of relative religious freedom, allowing them to worship openly and share their faith. And as a result, their numbers grew significantly; reports say there were over 160,000 active members by 2021.⁷

But this window of freedom didn’t stay open as wide as they’d hoped. In 1997, a new law about religious groups created fresh challenges for those considered “non-traditional”.⁷ Then came a more direct challenge with the 2002 “Law On Combatting Extremist Activity.” At it was presented as a way to fight terrorism its definitions of “extremism” were very broad and vague, and they started being used more and more to restrict religious expression.⁷ This was a problem for Jehovah’s Witnesses because the law prohibited promoting religious “exclusivity” or “supremacy”.⁷ In 2007, these anti-extremism laws were specifically broadened to include groups that weren’t violent.⁵

It became clear these laws were being used against Jehovah’s Witnesses even before the nationwide ban. In 2009, a local court in a port city called Taganrog banned the Jehovah’s Witness organization there. They said it was guilty of “inciting religious hatred” because it was “propagating the exclusivity and supremacy” of its beliefs.⁵ Russia’s Supreme Court agreed with this decision and also declared 34 of the Jehovah’s Witness publications, including their well-known magazine A Torre de Vigia, as “extremist”.⁵ The pressure kept mounting. In 2015, Bibles were seized, with authorities saying they needed to check them for “extremist language”.⁵ In that same year, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses was added to the Federal List of Extremist Materials, making it a crime to promote it in Russia.⁵

This historical journey, shows a repeating pattern: times of intense state persecution, followed by short periods of relative freedom, only for new kinds of pressure and restrictions to appear. It’s like a cycle, and it suggests that the conflict between the Jehovah’s Witness faith and the Russian state comes from some deep, persistent issues that go beyond just specific political views or laws. The way these “anti-extremism” laws are being used against Jehovah’s Witnesses today can be seen as a modern version of old Soviet tactics aimed at suppressing religious groups that don’t fit in. The legal words have changed the goal of controlling or getting rid of religious groups that don’t line up with what the state prefers seems to have a troubling continuity. The focus on “exclusivity” and “supremacy” as being extremist, especially after a 2006 change to the Extremism Law removed the need for “violence or calls to violence” for religious discord to be considered extremist 9, allowed the state to target the group based on what they teach, rather than any violent actions.

Table 2: Timeline of Key Events: Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

The “Extremist” Label: Why Did the Russian Government Officially Ban Jehovah’s Witnesses?

That 2017 decision by the Russian Supreme Court was a real turning point. When they labeled Jehovah’s Witnesses an “extremist” organization and banned their activities all across the country, it effectively made practicing their faith a crime for all their followers in Russia.⁵ To understand why this happened, we need to look at the official reasons and the laws the Russian government and courts used.

The main legal tool used against Jehovah’s Witnesses is Russia’s Federal Law “On Combatting Extremist Activities”.⁷ In April 2017, the Supreme Court agreed with a claim from the Ministry of Justice that what Jehovah’s Witnesses were doing violated this law. This ruling led to the shutdown of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ national headquarters in Saint Petersburg and all 395 of their local religious groups. Their property was also ordered to be taken by the state.⁵

The Ministry of Justice gave several key reasons for asking for this ban 10:

1. Bringing in and sharing literature that was already called extremist: Russian courts had previously said that many Jehovah’s Witness publications, like their main magazine A Torre de Vigia and a text called Studying in a theocratic school, were “extremist.” The reason given was that these materials stirred up religious hatred and said that one group of people was better than others because of their religion.⁵ The Ministry pointed out that the national center was still bringing in and distributing these materials.
2. Giving money to regional organizations that were already banned: Before the big 2017 nationwide ban, several regional Jehovah’s Witness groups had already been called extremist and shut down by local courts. The Ministry accused the national center of continuing to send money to some of these already outlawed regional branches.¹⁰
3. Not doing enough to stop extremist activities: The Ministry argued that the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ main Administrative Center didn’t take the right steps to stop or prevent extremist activities within their organization, even though they had received official warnings, including one from the Prosecutor General in March 2016.¹⁰

The Russian law’s definition of “extremist activities” is very broad, and many have said it’s too vague.⁷ It includes things like “incitement of hatred” and “advocacy of superiority or violation of rights on the basis of race, religion, or nationality”.¹⁰ A really important change was made to this Extremism Law back in 2006. It removed the words “associated with violence or calls to violence” from the definition of extremism when it was about religious disagreements.⁷ This change was huge because it meant the state could go after non-violent groups based on what they taught and their claims of having the one true religion.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court pointed to Article 30 of the Russian Constitution, which says you can’t have organizations that aim to stir up national or religious hatred. They also mentioned Article 14 of the Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations,” which allows a religious organization to be dissolved if it’s doing extremist things.¹⁰ The Court decided that the Jehovah’s Witnesses Management Center had broken its own rules and the Federal Law “On Combatting Extremist Activities” by continuing to bring in banned literature and give money to outlawed regional offices even after they got an official warning.¹⁰ The Court said that these restrictions were for a “socially important purpose,” like protecting public order and national security, and that they were “proportionate and necessary.” What’s more, the Court said that the state doesn’t have to wait for “symptoms of extremism to accumulate” and become more than just threats before it takes action.¹⁰

It’s also important to know that Russia’s laws about religion make a distinction between “traditional” and “non-traditional” religions. The law recognizes Christianity (specifically Russian Orthodoxy), Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism as the country’s four “traditional” religions, and it gives a “special role” to the Russian Orthodox Church.¹¹ This kind of puts other religious groups, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, in a “non-traditional” category, and that might make them more likely to be scrutinized. Although the constitution says there’s religious freedom, it also allows for restrictions to protect the country’s structure, security, morality, and the health of its citizens.¹¹

Using these broadly defined “anti-extremism” laws against Jehovah’s Witnesses, based on their theological claims of having unique truth and their distribution of books and magazines about it, really shows how such laws can be used. Instead of focusing on violent acts or direct threats to public safety, the state has targeted the group’s peaceful expression of their faith and how they organize themselves. Saying that “national security” and “public order” are reasons to ban a pacifist religious group 4 suggests that the state has a wider interest in controlling religious stories and groups that it sees as being influenced from outside or as disruptive to the kind of society it prefers, maybe one that’s centered around “traditional” values and religions.⁶ The court’s idea that it’s okay to take action to prevent problems, even before any real harm happens, creates an environment where religious minorities might feel they have to be very careful about what they say or face being shut down based on how the state interprets their beliefs and writings as potentially “extremist.”

The Voice of Orthodoxy: What is the Russian Orthodox Church’s Stance on Jehovah’s Witnesses?

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is a very major religious institution in Russia. It’s the main one, and the law even recognizes its “special role” in the country’s history and culture.¹¹ So, what the ROC says about other religious groups, especially those it considers “non-traditional” or “sects,” can really carry a lot of weight in public discussions and might even influence how society feels.

High-ranking leaders in the ROC have been openly critical of Jehovah’s Witnesses and what they teach. For example, Metropolitan Ilarion of Volokolamsk, who is a very important figure in the ROC’s relationships with others, has publicly called Jehovah’s Witnesses a “totalitarian and dangerous sect”.⁷ He accused their activities of being based on “manipulation of consciences” and claimed they “erode the psyche of people and families”.⁷ From a theological viewpoint, Metropolitan Ilarion said that Jehovah’s Witnesses “deform Christ’s teaching,” “falsely interpret the Gospel,” and because they “do not believe in Jesus Christ as God and Savior” and “do not recognize the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,” they “cannot be called Christians”.⁷ The ROC generally feels that the ideas of Jehovah’s Witnesses have “nothing in common with Christianity”.⁷

About that 2017 state ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses, the ROC’s official position has been a bit layered. Metropolitan Ilarion said that the ROC “has taken no part in this matter” (meaning the legal steps that led to the ban) and that “the Church does not appeal for heretics, members of sects or dissenters to be prosecuted”.⁷ But, at the same time, he described the Supreme Court’s decision to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses as “a positive act in the fight against the spread of sectarian ideas”.⁷ He also commented, “There is no doubt that sectarians will remain and continue their activities at least they will stop being openly on the same floor with Christian confessions, and that is a good thing”.⁷ This shows a clear approval of how the ban turned out, even while saying the Church wasn’t directly involved in the legal side. Other sources also confirm that the ROC publicly supported the ban.¹¹

Some reports suggest that some parts of the ROC might have been taking a more active stance for a longer time. One document mentions that since the mid-1990s, “elements of the Russian government and the Orthodox Church launched a campaign against Jehovah’s Witnesses with the ultimate aim of banning their activities throughout Russia”.⁹ But it’s also noted that specific details about such a campaign by the Church aren’t given much in that source.⁹ It’s been observed that religious groups in Russia that aren’t part of the Orthodox Church are often described as “foreign influences” and seen more as threats to national security than as spiritual communities.⁸ This way of framing things lines up with some of the ROC’s strong words against “sects.”

The ROC’s strong theological condemnation of Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “dangerous sect” and its portrayal of them as non-Christian and harmful to society kind of provides an ideological backing for the state’s actions, even if the ROC denies directly pushing for legal action. When the Church publicly approves of the ban, it helps create a climate where such state actions against a “non-traditional” religious group might seem more acceptable or even necessary to some people.

The wish expressed by an ROC official to see Jehovah’s Witnesses not “on the same floor with Christian confessions” 14, along with the legal system that gives priority to “traditional religions” like the ROC 11, helps create a social dynamic that can push groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses to the margins. This can make them more vulnerable to state action, which can then be presented as a way to protect national identity, traditional values, and spiritual heritage. Although the ROC might say it had no direct hand in the legal details of the ban, its long-standing theological opposition and its influence in shaping how the public sees “sects” and “cults” likely contribute to an environment where such a ban becomes more possible. The influence might be less about direct orders for legal action and more about creating a climate of intolerance and an informal alignment with state actors who also want to limit the influence of religious groups they see as “foreign” or “destructive.”

Points of Contention: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Practices Clash with Russian Societal Norms or Laws?

Beyond just that big “extremism” label, certain specific beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses have, for a long time, been sources of tension with Russian authorities and have sometimes clashed with what’s considered normal in Russian society or with its laws. These practices, which come from their deep religious convictions, often mean they put what they see as God’s law above what the secular state requires.

One of the most visible things they do is their active proselytism or evangelism. Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for going door-to-door and trying to share their beliefs publicly.⁴ In a society where the Russian Orthodox Church is very dominant and where public religious sharing by minority groups might be seen as pushy, this practice can lead to friction. What’s more, Russia’s Yarovaya Law, which came into effect in 2016, put very strict limits on missionary activities. It effectively banned sharing faith outside of officially recognized religious places without specific permission.⁸ This law directly affects the traditional ways Jehovah’s Witnesses share their faith.

Their stance on political neutrality and state symbols is another big point of disagreement. Jehovah’s Witnesses choose not to vote, hold political office, salute national flags, or say pledges of allegiance.² They also generally don’t recognize the absolute authority of the state in the countries where they live, believing their first allegiance is to God’s kingdom.⁶ In a country like Russia, which often puts a strong emphasis on national unity and patriotic displays, refusing to do these things can be seen as disloyal, a rejection of state authority, or even as trying to undermine the state.

Closely connected to this is their refusal of military service. Because they are pacifists, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to take up weapons or participate in military service.² Russia has mandatory military service for young men. Refusing to serve is a direct conflict with state law and with deeply held expectations of what a citizen should do. This practice has, in the past, led to Jehovah’s Witness men being imprisoned 7 and is mentioned as a reason why they become a target for authorities.⁸

The Jehovah’s Witness practice of refusing blood transfusions, even when it’s a life-or-death medical situation, is based on how they interpret certain Bible passages.⁴ This stance often brings up complex ethical questions for doctors and can be seen by the state as harmful to public health, especially when it involves the medical treatment of children.⁶ While Jehovah’s Witnesses have actually helped in the development of alternative, bloodless medical treatments 4, their refusal of blood is still a controversial practice.

Os seus claims of religious exclusivity are a central part of the accusations that they “incite religious hatred.” Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that their faith is the one true religion and that other religions, including those in mainstream “Christendom,” are false or have strayed from true biblical teachings.⁴ This strong belief, when it’s expressed in their literature and their preaching, has been interpreted by Russian authorities as promoting religious disagreement and the idea that their beliefs are superior to others.⁵

Finally, some people see Jehovah’s Witnesses as promoting social separatism. The way their organization is structured and the expectations they have can lead to a certain amount of social isolation from the wider community. Practices like “shunning,” where members are told to cut off contact with former members who have been disfellowshipped or have left the group, can lead to accusations of being a “cult” and of disrupting family relationships.²

Many of these contentious practices come from a deeply held religious belief that God’s laws, as they understand them, are more important than secular or state laws. This fundamental way of looking at things can inevitably lead to friction with state authorities who expect people to comply with civic duties and follow national laws and norms. In a political climate that increasingly emphasizes patriotism, national unity (which is often tied to the Russian Orthodox Church), and civic duty, the distinct practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses—like their political neutrality and refusal of military service—can easily be portrayed as unpatriotic or as a challenge to the state itself, especially when they are already seen as a “foreign influence”.⁸ While some practices directly go against state laws (like mandatory military service), others, such as sharing their faith or their claims of exclusivity, might simply be misunderstood or viewed negatively by a public that’s used to a different religious landscape. This societal discomfort can then be used by authorities to build a case for “extremism,” painting these practices not just as different as actively harmful or divisive.

Life Under Ban: How Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Treated in Russia Today?

That 2017 nationwide ban has had a truly devastating effect on the lives of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. It turned their peaceful worship into something criminal and has subjected them to systematic persecution. The ruling effectively outlawed the religious practices of an estimated 175,000 Russian citizens.¹⁵

Since the ban, here’s what Jehovah’s Witnesses have been facing:

• Widespread Raids and Searches: Law enforcement agencies, including local police, the Federal Security Service (FSB), and even Rosgvardia (National Guard) officers, conduct frequent raids on the private homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These often happen in the early hours of the morning, with masked and armed officers.⁹ Hundreds and hundreds of homes have been searched all across the country.¹⁵
• Arrests, Detentions, and Criminal Charges: Arrests and detentions are common during and after these raids.⁵ Hundreds of people have been charged under Russia’s anti-extremism laws, especially Article 282.² of the Criminal Code, which makes it a crime to participate in the activities of an extremist organization.¹³ As of early 2020, 316 individuals had been charged.¹⁵ More recent reports from Amnesty International show that these arbitrary prosecutions have continued, with dozens of new criminal cases opened and many believers sentenced each year.¹⁶
• Imprisonment and Harsh Sentences: Convictions often lead to long prison sentences, with some people receiving up to eight years in penal colonies.⁵ Valentina Baranovskaya became the first female Jehovah’s Witness to be imprisoned in Russia since the 2017 ban.⁵ As of December (likely 2023, based on a 2024 report), 171 Jehovah’s Witnesses were reported to be serving sentences in penal colonies.¹⁶ Others get suspended sentences or have to pay substantial fines, sometimes as much as a year’s average local wages.¹⁵ The case of Dennis Christensen, a Danish citizen, was especially prominent. He was the first Jehovah’s Witness to be detained and then imprisoned after the ban, convicted for “organizing activities of an extremist organization”.¹²
• Allegations of Torture and Mistreatment: There have been credible reports and serious allegations of torture and mistreatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses Although they are in detention or prison.⁵ Specific incidents have been reported in cities like Surgut, Irkutsk, and Orenburg, involving beatings and other forms of abuse.⁵
• Confiscation of Property and Religious Materials: The state has seized major properties belonging to the Jehovah’s Witness organization, including their national headquarters in Saint Petersburg.⁵ During raids on homes, authorities take Bibles (including the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ own Tradução do Novo Mundo, which itself has been banned as extremist material 11), other religious literature, computers, mobile phones, and personal belongings.¹⁵
• Criminalization of Peaceful Religious Activity: Authorities are using ordinary, peaceful religious activities as “evidence” of extremism. This includes things like reading the Bible together, participating in worship services (even in private homes), singing religious songs, or hosting Bible studies.¹⁵ This effectively means that the very act of practicing their faith can lead to criminal charges.
• Surveillance: There’s evidence that surveillance tactics are being used, like tapped phone calls being presented as evidence in court, as was seen in the Dennis Christensen case.¹⁷
• Climate of Fear and Secret Worship: This persecution has created a climate of fear and marginalization for Jehovah’s Witnesses, forcing many to practice their faith in secret, much like the difficult conditions they faced during the Soviet era.⁷ One report really captured this feeling with the title: “We Liked to Sing. Now We Can Only Whisper”.¹³
• Contradiction Between Official Statements and Reality: While Russian authorities sometimes say that individual Jehovah’s Witnesses are free to practice their faith “individually” as long as they don’t distribute “extremist” literature or engage in “illegal activities” 13, what’s actually happening on the ground shows that almost any expression of their faith can result in raids, detention, and prosecution.¹⁵ Even though President Vladimir Putin publicly questioned in December 2018 why Jehovah’s Witnesses were being persecuted, saying that all religions should be treated equally, the crackdown has continued without stopping.¹⁵

When fundamental religious practices—like studying the Bible and having prayer meetings—are used as “evidence” to support “extremism” charges, it shows that the Russian state is, in effect, criminalizing the very core expression of the Jehovah’s Witness faith itself, rather than just regulating specific unlawful actions. This approach goes beyond just managing conduct; it’s actively trying to suppress belief and worship.

Despite numerous rulings from the European Court of Human Rights condemning Russia’s actions 5, and even occasional expressions of concern from within Russia’s own governmental advisory bodies 17, the persecution has persisted and, at times, even gotten more intense. This suggests a strong determination by the state to eliminate the organized presence of Jehovah’s Witnesses, putting this goal above its international legal commitments or internal calls to rethink things. The methods being used, like those early morning raids by heavily armed, masked police, extensive surveillance, taking personal religious items, and reports of torture, seem designed not only to gather “evidence” but also to intimidate people, create widespread fear, and break up the community bonds among Jehovah’s Witnesses, thereby creating what has been described as an “organised campaign of persecution”.¹⁵

A Christian Response: How Might Believers View Russia’s Actions?

For those of us who are Christian readers, what’s happening with Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia really makes us think about some important principles rooted in our faith, even when our theological views might be quite different. How we respond isn’t about agreeing with Jehovah’s Witness theology about considering what it means when a state takes action against any religious group.

Religious Freedom: A core value for so many Christians is the freedom to worship God according to our own conscience. We see this as a God-given right. While Jehovah’s Witnesses hold beliefs that are different from mainstream Christianity (as we talked about in Section 1), the actions of the Russian state—banning an entire religious organization and making their peaceful worship a crime 15—raise some really deep questions about this fundamental freedom for everyone.

The Nature of Truth and Coercion: As Christians, we hold to the truth of the Gospel. This situation might lead us to reflect on whether state power should ever be used to suppress religious groups, even those whose teachings others believe are mistaken. Is it the government’s job to decide or enforce religious truth, or should matters of faith be handled through dialogue, sharing our witness, and individual conviction? When we look at the stance of the Russian Orthodox Church (Section 4) and compare it with the state’s forceful measures (Section 3), it gives us a complex situation to consider.

Defining “Extremism”: Those “anti-extremism” laws in Russia are very broad and vaguely defined 7, and the way they’ve been applied to Jehovah’s Witnesses based on their claims of religious exclusivity or the content of their books and magazines 5, is something for us to think about carefully. Christian readers might wonder if parts of their own faith’s historical claims to truth, or their call to share the Gospel, could be seen as “extremist” under such wide-ranging legal definitions.

Justice and Due Process: Reports of unfair trials, using peaceful religious gatherings as “evidence” of criminal activity 15, surveillance 17, and serious allegations of torture and mistreatment in detention 5 are deeply concerning from a Christian perspective that believes in justice, fairness, and treating all people humanely.

Compassion for the Persecuted: Regardless of any theological disagreements, the human suffering that Jehovah’s Witnesses are enduring in Russia—people imprisoned just for their faith, families torn apart, communities living in constant fear (as we saw in Section 6)—can surely stir our compassion. Christian scriptures often call us to have empathy and stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed or suffer for what they believe.

Historical Parallels: The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia might remind some Christian readers of historical persecutions that other Christian groups or religious minorities have faced throughout history, including the oppression Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves faced in the Soviet era.⁷ Thinking about these patterns can give us insights into how intolerance works and why it’s so important to be vigilant in defending religious freedom.

The Role of the Church in Society: The relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state 9, and its public stance on the ban (Section 4), might lead Christian readers to reflect on what the proper role of a dominant or established church should be in a society that includes religious minorities.

This situation presents a challenge to that Christian call to “love your neighbor,” even when that neighbor holds very different theological beliefs. The harsh treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes us consider how our Christian principles of love, compassion, and justice should be applied when we see persecution. The way these “anti-extremism” laws have been used so broadly against Jehovah’s Witnesses could be seen by other religious minorities, including Christian denominations that aren’t aligned with the ROC, as a worrying sign. If a peaceful group like Jehovah’s Witnesses can be labeled “extremist” for their literature and their claims of religious exclusivity, it raises questions about how secure religious freedom is for other groups that might also be considered “non-traditional” or not in favor with the state.

Global Concern: What is the International Community Saying About the Ban?

What’s happening to Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia hasn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the world. There has been widespread and consistent condemnation from many international human rights groups, courts, governments, and non-governmental organizations. They see the ban and the persecution that followed as serious violations of fundamental human rights.

O European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been very important in this. It has made multiple rulings saying that Russia has violated the European Convention on Human Rights in how it has treated Jehovah’s Witnesses. These violations are about freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; freedom of assembly and association; freedom of expression; and the right to a fair trial.⁵ The ECHR has clearly called on Russia to stop prosecuting Jehovah’s Witnesses and to release those who have been unjustly imprisoned.¹⁹ But reports indicate that Russia has largely ignored these judgments.⁹

Prominent human rights organizations have also spoken out strongly:

• Amnistia Internacional believes that criminalizing Jehovah’s Witness teachings and practices in Russia is arbitrary, discriminatory, and a violation of the right to freedom of religion. The organization considers detained Jehovah’s Witnesses to be prisoners of conscience and has documented ongoing arbitrary prosecutions and long prison terms.⁷
• Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the ban and the convictions of Jehovah’s Witnesses (like in the Dennis Christensen case) as blatant violations of the rights to religious freedom and expression. HRW has repeatedly called on Russian authorities to drop all charges against Jehovah’s Witnesses, release those detained, and stop the persecution.⁷
• Forum 18, an organization that keeps an eye on religious freedom, actively reports on the ban, the prosecutions, fines, imprisonment of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the banning of their literature. They see these actions as clear violations of religious freedom.⁷

Several governments and governmental bodies have expressed very strong concerns:

• O United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has denounced the ban and the Russian Supreme Court rulings, stating very clearly that Jehovah’s Witnesses are “not an extremist group”.²¹ USCIRF welcomed the ECHR judgments against Russia and has consistently recommended that Russia be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. This designation was made by the U.S. Department of State in November 2021.⁵ One USCIRF chair even described Russia’s decision as showing the “paranoia” of Vladimir Putin’s government.⁵
• O United Kingdom government has issued official statements expressing deep concern over the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, including allegations of torture and the criminalization of peaceful worship. The UK has called on Russian authorities to uphold their commitments to religious freedom for all individuals.¹⁵
• O United States Holocaust Memorial Museum also voiced deep concern after the 2017 ban.⁵

Internationally, this crackdown on Jehovah’s Witnesses is often seen as echoing the religious repression of the Soviet era.¹⁷ The systematic way the raids and prosecutions are happening has led to it being described as an “organised campaign of persecution”.¹⁵

This overwhelming international agreement highlights that, despite Russia’s own legal justifications, its actions against Jehovah’s Witnesses are widely seen as severe infringements on basic human rights. Russia’s continued disregard for ECHR rulings and widespread international criticism on this issue contributes to its increasing isolation when it comes to its commitments to international human rights law and norms. This pattern is often seen as part of a broader trend of democratic values weakening and authoritarian practices becoming stronger within the country. The intense focus on the Jehovah’s Witness case by international observers often serves as a kind of test for the overall state of religious freedom in Russia. The severity of the measures taken against this group raises alarms about the potential for similar actions against other religious communities that are deemed “non-traditional” or disfavored by the state, as the legal tools and reasons used are potentially transferable.

Conclusion: A Complex Web of Religion, Law, and Power

as we’ve walked through this together, we can see that the reasons behind the negative view of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and their eventual nationwide ban are truly complex. It’s like a web woven from threads of history, theology, law, and social and political factors. This report has aimed to shed some light on these different aspects for all you Christian readers who are seeking to understand.

Historically, Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced these cycles of persecution and then brief moments of tolerance in Russia, with the Soviet era being a time of particularly intense suppression.⁵ Theologically, their core beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, and salvation are fundamentally different from mainstream Christianity, especially the Russian Orthodox Church.¹ These differences have been pointed out by ROC officials, who see Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “dangerous sect” and have said they approve of the ban, even while saying they weren’t directly involved in the legal side of it.⁷

Legally, the Russian government used its broadly defined “anti-extremism” laws to justify the ban. They accused Jehovah’s Witnesses of stirring up religious hatred and promoting the idea that their religion was superior through their literature and teachings.⁵ Specific practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses, like their political neutrality, their refusal to do military service, and their active sharing of their faith, have also been points of tension, sometimes clashing with state laws or what society expects.²

Since that 2017 ban, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia have endured severe and ongoing persecution. We’re talking about raids, arrests, imprisonment, their property being taken, and even allegations of torture, with their peaceful religious activities being treated as crimes.⁵ This situation has drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations, courts like the ECHR, and various governments, who all see Russia’s actions as a grave violation of religious freedom.⁷

For us as Christian readers, understanding this situation means wrestling with principles of religious liberty, thinking about the role of the state in religious matters, considering the nature of justice, and hearing that call for compassion towards those who suffer for their beliefs, no matter if we agree with their theology or not. The plight of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia is a stark reminder of how fragile religious freedom can be and the complex ways that religion, law, and state power can come together, often with powerful and difficult consequences for minority faith communities. It encourages us to keep reflecting on how we, as believers, should respond when we see such instances of persecution in the world today. Let’s keep them in our prayers, and let’s always stand for freedom and understanding.

Bibliography:

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