Representatives of “traditional” faiths fear that in order to combat terrorism, the State Duma will tighten legislation

DECR Deputy Chairman Egorievsky Mark (Golovkov), Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the European Part of Russia Muhammad Biju-ulu and FEOR Executive Director Valery Engel took part in a consultation meeting with members of the State Duma working commission on the development of anti-terrorist amendments to the legislation.

Representatives of confessions warned parliamentarians against unjustified tightening of legislation in order to combat terrorism.

According to Bishop Mark, religious education of citizens should become more effective than administrative punishment.

V. Engel believes that abandoning the moratorium on the death penalty cannot help in the fight against terrorists: “You shouldn’t rely too much on this - these are people intoxicated by ideology who prefer to die, and die quickly.” V. Engel also recalled that if the death penalty is restored, Russia may have difficulties in relations with the Council of Europe.

M. Biju-ulu drew attention to the fact that often the unprofessional work of the media contributes much more to inciting ethnic and religious hatred than possible shortcomings in legislation.

Sources

• Religious denominations do not welcome the tightening of criminal legislation // Religion and Society. 2004. September 15.