Religious Freedom Panel - 01.31.2002

 

Panel Reviews Religious Freedom in Russia

NCSJ Executive Director Mark Levin addressing Capitol Hill panel, January 31

By Janet Mikhlin
NCSJ Graduate Intern

On January 31, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy hosted a forum on religious freedom in Russia and its impact on U.S. foreign policy and bilateral relations. The Capitol Hill panel featured organizations representing various religious groups in Russia, institutes and associations concerned with religious freedom worldwide, and the U.S. Department of State.  

Discussion focused on the effects of Russia’s 1997 Law on Religion, which requires the registration of all religious organizations in Russia. Since the law was passed, many religious groups new to the country have been unable to register and, as a result, face legal liquidation.  (Liquidated groups are subject to a broad range of penalties culminating in a formal order to shut down and sell all property.)  

Major George Hood of the Salvation Army and Reverend Leisa Goodman of the Church of Scientology International related their difficulties in obtaining recognition from the Moscow municipal government. Nikolas Gvosdev, Executive Editor of The National Interest, said the Russian Orthodox Church has played a large role in suppressing religious minorities due to its fear that “non-traditional” religions will be destructive to the Russian identity. While the Russian state continues to promote the notion of “managed pluralism”, allowing some autonomy to certain religious groups, many religious minorities are struggling just to maintain a legal presence in the country.

Mark Levin, NCSJ Executive Director, reported that anti-Semitism continues to be a problem for the Russian Jewish community. Although the Russian government has officially condemned anti-Semitism, popular anti-Semitism still thrives via publications, political slogans, and outbursts of violence. Levin urged President Putin to turn his good words into good deeds by expanding efforts to counter anti-Semitic and xenophobic activity.

Nancy Hewett, representing the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, assured those present that promoting religious freedom in Russia remains a U.S. priority. She emphasized that the campaign against terrorism is not a license to infringe upon human rights and that the U.S. Government will continue to monitor the registration process and to promote freedom for all religious groups in Russia.

Later in the day, Mark Levin had the opportunity to raise the registration issue directly with visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.

NCSJ Executive Director Mark Levin and community representatives meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, January 31: (l.-r.) Jason Espstein of B'nai B'rith, Jess Hordes of the Anti-Defamation League, Ambassador Peter Rosenblatt of American Jewish Committee, Levin, and Kasyanov