Interactive Map
Harassment and Mistreatment of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
The Russian Federation Supreme Court ruled against religious freedom on December 8, 2009, when it pronounced 34 pieces of religious literature published by Jehovah’s Witnesses to be “extremist.” Since that date, Jehovah’s Witnesses and human rights advocates have noted a sharp increase in acts of religious intolerance at the hands of officials throughout Russia. These incidents of abuse are presented in this interactive map and can also be viewed as a chronological listing.
Feature Video
DEVELOPING STORY: The Case of Aleksandr Kalistratov 
Aleksandr Kalistratov is at the center of an ongoing criminal trial that is the first of its kind in Russia. This case has profound implications for freedom of expression and religious belief, not just in Russia, but throughout Europe.
Length: 3:52 minutes
Illegal surveillance “evidence” used to prosecute Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
“The resources of law-enforcement agencies are being spent on harassing people who are internationally known as peaceful and law-abiding Christians.”
Also in Russian
Extremist ruling on religious literature made “behind the back” of publisher
“This ruling is disturbing. Each publication features our address and the judge could have easily contacted us. The fundamental principles of judiciary, which are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, have been grossly violated.”
Also in Russian
Expert opinions exonerate literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
Experts found that these publications “do not contain any statements in the form of a call or incitement against any social, racial, national, ethnic or religious group or its representatives.”
Also in Russian
State-sponsored television station in Armenia sued for slander over broadcasts about Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia have filed a claim requesting that the defendants be ordered to apologize for their defamatory statements, issue a full retraction, and publish an unedited response from Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Christians in Azerbaijan arrested, fined, deported for attending religious meeting
The convictions belie Azerbaijan’s claims of religious tolerance, and they contradict Article 21 of the Law on Freedom of Worship, which guarantees the right to practice one’s religious beliefs not only in “places of worship” but also “in apartments and houses of citizens.”
Belarus refuses court protection for religious minorities
“The attitude of the courts in the Republic of Belarus is rather surprising. It is not about winning or losing a case, it is about having the right to go to court for legal protection.”
BULGARIA:
Attempts to halt construction of house of worship exposed as illegal in Bulgaria
RUSSIA:
ECHR defends religious freedom
RUSSIA:
Families in Russia appeal to the ECHR for protection
Also in Russian
Where We Worship
We meet for our religious services at houses of worship called Kingdom Halls. What a Kingdom Hall looks like varies from country to country. In Papua New Guinea, a Kingdom Hall is an open-air structure with a thatched roof. In Kansas, U.S.A., it might be a renovated athletic club. In Kobe, Japan, it might be a newly constructed building.
Usually a Kingdom Hall is a modest structure that has an auditorium with chairs for the audience, a speaker’s platform, a lectern, a library, and an area where members can request or pick up literature for Bible study.
