EU stands up for Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

The European External Affairs Service (EU diplomatic service) has stated that Jehovah's Witnesses, like other religious organizations, "should be able to peacefully hold meetings, as it is guaranteed by the Russian Constitution, international obligations of Russia and international human rights standards." This was a reaction of the European External Affairs Service to a court's decision in Russia on the liquidation of the organization.

The German government is also concerned over the court's decision in Russia. This was stated by Martin Schaefer, Spokesman for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

According to Alexander Verkhovsky, the director of the "Sova" Information and Analysis Centre and a member of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, the grounds for the prohibition of the Jehovah's Witnesses organizations are "insignificant."

The State Duma will study the court's decision on the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, since the precedent will allow developing new laws to protect the rights of believers. This was announced by Sergey Gavrilov, the chairman of the State Duma Committee for the Development of Civil Society, Affairs of Public and Religious Associations.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.