Tags: Russia
Foreign Office urges Russia to uphold human rights after Jehovah’s Witnesses ruling
Posted: Mon, 24 Apr 2017
The Foreign Office has condemned a decision by the Russian Supreme Court to label Jehovah's Witnesses "extremists."
Baroness Anelay, the foreign office minister with responsibility for human rights, said the judgement was alarming.
She said that the Russian... Read More »
Catholics for Choice defend secularism against Pope’s misrepresentation
Posted: Tue, 16 Feb 2016
A liberal international Catholic group has criticised the Pope for misrepresenting secularism in a joint declaration he issued with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read More »
Putin continues promotion of “traditional values” and crackdown on blasphemy
Posted: Tue, 31 Mar 2015
The head of the Novosibirsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre has been fired by the Russian Culture Minister over a 'blasphemous' opera, prompting further fears about free speech and religious freedom in Russia. Read More »
Head of Russian Orthodox Church says secularization in Europe has reached “apocalyptic dimensions,” calls for “Christian values”
Posted: Tue, 25 Nov 2014
Patriarch Kirill said Europe has abandoned its "Christian identity" and that the "process of secularization" has reached "apocalyptic dimensions". Read More »
Leader of Russian Orthodox Church says it is dangerous to unite state and church while Putin declares Russia a secular state
Posted: Tue, 26 Nov 2013
Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church has said that there is no question of the church and state uniting in Russia. Read More »
Russia cracks down on LGBT human rights and introduces blasphemy law
Posted: Wed, 03 Jul 2013
President Vladimir Putin has signed into law the new anti-gay Bill that criminalises LGBT freedom of expression. The adoption of children by gay couples has been banned by the Russian parliament and gay organisations are being fined as 'foreign agents'. Read More »
Russian parliament passes new blasphemy law as protesters call for secular state
Posted: Wed, 12 Jun 2013
Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved a new blasphemy law allowing jail sentences of up to three years for "offending religious feelings", an initiative launched in the wake of the trial against the anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot. Read More »
Putin’s privileging of the Orthodox Church in Russia may go too far, even for the patriarch
Posted: Wed, 09 Jan 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new bill into law that makes religious education mandatory for all schools in the country. Read More »
Russians want church to stay out of politics
Posted: Fri, 17 Aug 2012
A poll taken in Russia shows that 75% of the population wants the Russian Orthodox Church to stay out of politics. Read More »
