Russia's Justice Ministry Proposes Controversial Religion Law Amendments

Russia's Justice Ministry is proposing controversial new amendments to the country's law on religion, according to a report yesterday by Georgian Daily. Religious organizations will be required to seek registration from regional rather than local authorities. Also no one who has been convicted of inciting inter-ethnic or inter-religious hostility or "other crimes of an extremist nature" can be listed among the group's members seeking registration. Of more concern among established groups is the proposed new restriction on missionary activity. Government approval will be need before a religious group can engage in any kind of proselytizing activity-- defined as "the dissemination of one’s own faith among people who are not members, participants or followers of that religious organization." Missionaries from abroad must have an invitation form a group within Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church is strongly opposed to these provisions, calling them "spiritual terrorism against missionaries." This opposition may well lead to changes or rejection of the proposals.