WASHINGTON (ABP) — Two prominent members of Congress have introduced a resolution criticizing one of the United States' largest allies for its handling of religious freedom.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) have introduced versions of a bill in their respective chambers that call on the Russian government to do more to enforce protections for religious freedom found in the nation's constitution. The resolution also criticizes the Russian practice of requiring religious groups to register with the government to be recognized as legitimate.
“Freedom of religion is the linchpin of all other freedoms,” Brownback said, in a statement introducing the resolution. “[Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin must do more to ensure all Russian citizens enjoy their religious liberties.”
The resolution — which would not carry the force of law, but would serve as an instruction to United States policymakers — encourages Russian officials to come into line with international norms. “The Russian Federation should fully protect the freedoms of all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the Russian Constitution and international standards,” it reads.
Many minority religious groups — which in most areas of Russia include all groups other than the Russian Orthodox Church — have difficulty registering because of requirements for large numbers or long histories.
As a result, many unregistered religious groups — including many Baptists — have reported church arsons, other violent attacks, destruction of unauthorized church buildings by local officials and other forms of persecution. Several have said local law-enforcement authorities have been indifferent to their plight.
Smith and Brownback are, respectively, chairman and co-chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation on Europe, commonly known as the Helsinki Commission. According to the U.S. government body, which monitors implementation of the 1975 Helsinki Accords, there have been as many as 10 incidents of arson against unregistered religious groups in Russia in the past two years.
The Senate version of the bill is S. Con. Res. 46. In the House, it is H. Con. Res. 190.