SIMFEROPOL, Crimea — One year after Russia’s March 2014 annexation of Crimea, those who wish to exercise their freedom of religion or belief continue to face difficulties because of Russia’s strict religious restrictions.
Individuals and religious communities have faced raids, fines, religious literature seizures, government surveillance, expulsions of invited foreign religious leaders and obstructions to regaining places of worship confiscated in the Soviet period. Only 1 percent of communities which had state registration under Ukrainian law have succeeded in gaining the compulsory Russian re-registration.
All 150 re-registration applications submitted to Crimea’s justice department ahead of the original Dec. 31, 2014, deadline were initially rejected as they were “very bad,” according to the justice department.
Even after the extended March 1 deadline, only two centralized religious organizations (one of the Orthodox dioceses and the Muftiate) have been re-registered and only 12 local communities.
Without registration under Russian law, religious communities can meet, but cannot enter into contracts to rent property, employ people or invite foreigners. Members of a wide range of religious communities are highly cautious about discussing anything that could be interpreted as criticism of Russian rule for fear of possible reprisals. (F18)
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