Freedom of religion in Russia

In Russia, freedom of religion is provided for in Chapter 1, Article 14^[1], Chapter 2, Articles 28^[2] and 29^[3] of the 1993 constitution, which forbid the federal government from declaring a state or mandatory religion, permit the freedoms of conscience and profession of faith, and forbids state advocacy purporting superiority of any group over another on religious grounds. However, each of these provisions have been contrasted against a clause in Chapter 2, Article 55^[4] that permits the federal government to restrict human rights where it is deemed necessary and under specific conditions. With these articles taken collectively, and as there is no explicit provision allowing for the automatic right of religious groups to exist as establishments, proselytize, or provide guidance, "religious freedom" as would be defined in other nations is not guaranteed.^[5]^[6]

In practice, as of 2021, allegations of religious persecution, unequal treatment of religious groups, and calls for the respect of free religion by the have been made against the Russian government.^[7]

^ English translation: "1. The Russian Federation is a secular state. No religion may be established in the capacity of a state or mandatory [religion]. 2. Religious associations are separated from the state and equal before the law" Russian: "1. Российская Федерация - светское государство. Никакая религия не может устанавливаться в качестве государственной или обязательной. 2. Религиозные объединения отделены от государства и равны перед законом."
^ English: "To each is guaranteed freedom of conscience, freedom of profession of faith, including the right to profess [or “confess”] individually or in conjunction with others any religion or to profess none, to freely choose, have and spread religious and other beliefs [or convictions] and to act in concert with them." Russian: "Каждому гарантируется свобода совести, свобода вероисповедания, включая право исповедовать индивидуально или совместно с другими любую религию или не исповедовать никакой, свободно выбирать, иметь и распространять религиозные и иные убеждения и действовать в соответствии с ними."
^ English: "2. The propaganda or agitation instigating social, racial, national or religious hatred and strife shall not be allowed. The propaganda of social, racial, national, religious or linguistic supremacy shall be banned." Russian: "2. Не допускаются пропаганда или агитация, возбуждающие социальную, расовую, национальную или религиозную ненависть и вражду. Запрещается пропаганда социального, расового, национального, религиозного или языкового превосходства."
^ English: "3. The rights and freedoms of man and citizen may be limited by the federal law only to such an extent to which it is necessary for the protection of the fundamental principles of the constitutional system, morality, health, the rights and lawful interests of other people, for ensuring defence of the country and security of the State." Russian: "3. Права и свободы человека и гражданина могут быть ограничены федеральным законом только в той мере, в какой это необходимо в целях защиты основ конституционного строя, нравственности, здоровья, прав и законных интересов других лиц, обеспечения обороны страны и безопасности государства."
^ Gvosdev, Nikolas (May 1, 2001). "Religious Freedom: Russian Constitutional Principles-Historical and Contemporary". BYU Law Review. 2001 (2): 514–515.
^ "The Constitution of the Russian Federation". www.constitution.ru. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
^ Wassell, Dani (September 1, 2021). "Relentless Religious Persecution in Russia". Religious Freedom Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2023.

[1] English translation: "1. The Russian Federation is a secular state. No religion may be established in the capacity of a state or mandatory [religion]. 2. Religious associations are separated from the state and equal before the law" Russian: "1. Российская Федерация - светское государство. Никакая религия не может устанавливаться в качестве государственной или обязательной. 2. Религиозные объединения отделены от государства и равны перед законом."

[2] English: "To each is guaranteed freedom of conscience, freedom of profession of faith, including the right to profess [or “confess”] individually or in conjunction with others any religion or to profess none, to freely choose, have and spread religious and other beliefs [or convictions] and to act in concert with them." Russian: "Каждому гарантируется свобода совести, свобода вероисповедания, включая право исповедовать индивидуально или совместно с другими любую религию или не исповедовать никакой, свободно выбирать, иметь и распространять религиозные и иные убеждения и действовать в соответствии с ними."

[3] English: "2. The propaganda or agitation instigating social, racial, national or religious hatred and strife shall not be allowed. The propaganda of social, racial, national, religious or linguistic supremacy shall be banned." Russian: "2. Не допускаются пропаганда или агитация, возбуждающие социальную, расовую, национальную или религиозную ненависть и вражду. Запрещается пропаганда социального, расового, национального, религиозного или языкового превосходства."

[4] English: "3. The rights and freedoms of man and citizen may be limited by the federal law only to such an extent to which it is necessary for the protection of the fundamental principles of the constitutional system, morality, health, the rights and lawful interests of other people, for ensuring defence of the country and security of the State." Russian: "3. Права и свободы человека и гражданина могут быть ограничены федеральным законом только в той мере, в какой это необходимо в целях защиты основ конституционного строя, нравственности, здоровья, прав и законных интересов других лиц, обеспечения обороны страны и безопасности государства."

[5] Gvosdev, Nikolas (May 1, 2001). "Religious Freedom: Russian Constitutional Principles-Historical and Contemporary". BYU Law Review. 2001 (2): 514–515.

[6] "The Constitution of the Russian Federation". www.constitution.ru. Retrieved August 6, 2024.

[7] Wassell, Dani (September 1, 2021). "Relentless Religious Persecution in Russia". Religious Freedom Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2023.

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