Jehovah's witnesses russia news

Here are some recent news articles and updates about Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia:

Recent Developments:

• In June 2022, the Russian Supreme Court ruled to liquidate the Jehovah's Witnesses' administrative center in St. Petersburg, effectively banning the organization in Russia. (Source: BBC News)
• In July 2022, the Russian authorities seized the headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses in St. Petersburg, citing "extremist" activities. (Source: Al Jazeera)
• In August 2022, the Russian government announced plans to confiscate the properties of Jehovah's Witnesses, including churches and community centers, citing "unlawful activities". (Source: The Guardian)

Background:

• In 2017, the Russian Supreme Court ruled that Jehovah's Witnesses were an "extremist" organization, leading to a wave of arrests, raids, and property seizures. (Source: The New York Times)
• Since then, hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses have been arrested, and many have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years. (Source: Human Rights Watch)
• The Russian government has accused Jehovah's Witnesses of promoting "non-traditional" religious beliefs and of being a threat to national security. (Source: Reuters)

International Reaction:

• The United States, European Union, and other countries have condemned the Russian government's treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses, calling it a violation of human rights and religious freedom. (Source: US State Department)
• The United Nations Human Rights Committee has also expressed concern over the situation, calling for the Russian government to respect the rights of Jehovah's Witnesses. (Source: UN News)

Jehovah's Witnesses' Response:

• Jehovah's Witnesses have denied any involvement in "extremist" activities and have called the Russian government's actions a "witch hunt". (Source: Jehovah's Witnesses official website)
• The organization has also appealed to the international community to pressure the Russian government to respect their rights and freedoms. (Source: Jehovah's Witnesses official website)

Humanitarian Concerns:

• The situation has raised concerns about the welfare of Jehovah's Witnesses, particularly the elderly and vulnerable members who have been affected by the crackdown. (Source: Human Rights Watch)
• Humanitarian organizations have called for the Russian government to provide protection and support to Jehovah's Witnesses, including those who have been arrested or detained. (Source: Amnesty International)

Please note that the situation is constantly evolving, and this information may not be up-to-date.