Russian courts have banned at least 10 unregistered Baptist congregations from meeting without state permission, a Norway-based human rights organization reported.
Six of the 10 lawsuits against Council of Churches Baptist religious communities have been filed in the Krasnodar Region of Southern Russia, Forum 18 news service reported in early November.
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The Council of Churches Baptist formed six decades ago in opposition to Soviet religious restrictions. Unregistered congregations affiliated with the council often meet in private homes — or houses of prayer — on private land.
The council asserts the Russian Constitution, the 1997 Religion Law and international human rights laws all provide them the right to meet without government involvement and state registration.
In practice, however, prosecutors and judges in Russia have broad discretion in how they enforce laws regarding religious activities.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ken Camp and originally published by the Baptist Standard.
