Prosecutor General proposes banning those convicted of extremism from becoming clergy

June 8, 2016, speaking at the government hour in the State Duma, Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika proposed to introduce into the law “On freedom of conscience and religious associations” amendments prohibiting those convicted of extremism become clergymen and leaders of religious organizations.

We are talking, first of all, about the adherents of the radical Islam. The Prosecutor General proposes to establish a ban on receiving holy orders for those who have been held criminally or administratively liable for extremist or terrorist activities.

“Today, supporters of radical Islamic movements who have training in religious centers abroad, trying to spread alien ideology among believers. Moreover, citizens who have fallen into the field view of law enforcement agencies in connection with the implementation of extremist activities, often lead religious organizations or perform they have the functions of clergy. Such facts were noted in the republics of Bashkortostan, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Tatarstan. Tem thereby creating dangerous prerequisites for the spread of religious extremism ,” he said.

Chaika's proposal to limit the composition of the leadership of religious organizations by the state seems to us at least controversial, given that, according to the Constitution, they are separated from the state. It should be noted that the current version of the federal law "On freedom of conscience and religious associations” already contains a ban on the establishment of religious organizations and membership in them for persons in whose actions the court found “signs of extremist activity”.

As for the ban on obtaining religious titles, this measure would clearly become unacceptable for a secular state to interfere in the activities of religious associations.

Sources

• The Prosecutor General proposed to ban extremists from working as clergy // RBC. 2016. June 8.