A conference dedicated to the problems of religion and law was held in Moscow

May 28, 2013 at the Institute Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences hosted the conference "The Religious Factor in the Socio-Political life of modern Russia: religion and law in public policy”, organized by the Center for the Study of Religion and Society of the Institute of Europe Guild of Experts on Religion and law. The conference was attended representatives of religious organizations, researchers, experts in the field of religion and law.

President who opened the conference Guild of Experts on Religion and Law Roman Lunkin in his opening speech mentioned the existing threat of turning religion into an ideology under pressure political reasons.

Head of the Synodal Department for the relationship between the Church and society, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin stated that The Russian Orthodox Church does not object to external checks states. And if the state tightens control over non-profit organizations, which include religious ones, should be taken as new reality and adapt to it. Questions raises validity such checks should not be abused. Moreover, according to the priest, the state could make life easier for religious organizations, for example, requesting the information necessary for the justice authorities from the tax authorities, where religious organizations regularly transmit data.

O. Vsevolod also noted that the fight against extremism should not lead to "anti-religious hysteria".

Chairman of the Guild experts on religion and law, Inna Zagrebina, spoke about how prosecutors inspections of non-profit organizations have affected religious organizations.

According to her, employees often prosecutors demonstrate "legal nihilism", and representatives of religious organizations are forced to inform the inspectors about the nuances legislation. The claims of the prosecutor's office are rarely justified: for example, in the city of Matveev-Kurgan, Rostov region, the activities of a local organization Evangelical Baptist Christians was suspended for 90 days due to a web in toilet and badly painted pipes.

According to the director of the SOVA center Alexander Verkhovsky, the main threats to freedom of conscience in Russia are related to issues of countering extremism - both with the established practice application of anti-extremist legislation, and with upcoming legislation in this area.

One of the most controversial bills - on the protection of the feelings of believers, the developers of which demonstrated the legal nihilism repeatedly mentioned at the conference. Despite the refinement, the bill in its current form is a "strange compromise” and continues the repressive line of “religious discord”. Suggested the wording of the offense is vague, the proposed amendments to Art. 148 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and current Art. 213 and Art. 282 have much in common, and it is difficult for a law enforcement officer will see the difference between them. In particular, the new law provides that it is possible to offend the religious feelings of a person without hurting him personal dignity.

The ambiguity of wording is a feature, characteristic of almost all recently adopted normative acts, which increases the possibility of arbitrariness in law enforcement practice.

Another danger is the strengthening of repressive measures against radical organizations. Threatening speaker called the dynamics the use of repressive measures against Muslim organizations, although in against others, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, excessive repression are used quite often. Excessive pressure on religious radicals, considers A. Verkhovsky, causes a new increase in their activity, which in turn forces the state to further intensify repression, and this trend is very dangerous.

In addition to the aforementioned speakers, The conference was addressed by the Director of the International Center for Religious Studies and rights Kol Durham (USA), Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia of the Augsburg Confession Konstantin Andreev, Deputy Head of the Department for Relations with Religious Organizations of the Department of Interregional cooperation, national policy and relations with religious organizations of the City of Moscow Anton Ignatenko, Head of the Center for the Study of Religious Problems and Society of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences Anatoly Krasikov, Advisor to the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation for Public Organizations and Religious Associations Stepan Medvedko, Vice President Euro-Asian branch of the Church of Christian Adventists of the Seventh Day Oleg Goncharov, Associate Professor, Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University named after N. A. Dobrolyubov Olga Shimanskaya and others.

Participants' reports were accompanied lively discussions.

Sources

• Inc. inf.