The RS ECB sent an appeal to the President in connection with the upcoming amendments to the law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”

On October 22, the leadership of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists (RS ECB) addressed an open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev . It expresses concern about the forthcoming amendments to the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations."

Baptists fear abuse in the application of the new law: "The proposed law sins with general language, which allows its drawbar to be turned in such a way that a person will be punished."

In addition, the leadership of ROSKhVE expresses concern that the draft law will "worse the moral situation in society", "generate alienation between confessions", "raise a wave of religious persecution." The authors of the appeal point out that the new version of the law is in conflict with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and will damage the international authority of Russia.

"The draft law on missionary work deprives us of the Christian and constitutional right to carry the message of the Christian faith freely, without fear of fines," sums up the leadership of the ROSHVE.

Sources

• The leadership of the ECB Union asks President Medvedev to protect the rights of believers // Slavic Legal Center. 2009. October 22.