Internet censorship in Russia to be strenghtened

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US pastor challenges Russia's 'anti-missionary' law at European Court of Human Rights

Jardine Malado31 March, 2017

http://www.christiantimes.com/article/us-pastor-challenges-russias-anti-missionary-law-at-european-court-of-human-rights/71912.htm

 

 

An American Baptist missionary, who was fined for holding weekly Bible studies in Russia, has taken his case to the European Court of Human Rights to appeal the severe sanctions imposed by the country's "anti-missionary" law.
Donald Ossewaarde was the first U.S. missionary to be charged under Russia's "Yarovaya" law that was introduced in July 2016. He was fined 40,000 rubles ($600) after he was found guilty of conducting illegal missionary activities for hosting Sunday morning Bible studies at his home in the Russian city of Oryol.
The "Yarovaya" law, named after one of its authors, was introduced as an "anti-terrorism" measure, which allows the government to monitor extremist groups, according to World Watch Monitor.
Ossewaarde had already made several appeals, including one to the Russian Supreme Court, but his efforts have been unsuccessful. On Wednesday, he filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, with the help of ADF International, a legal organization advocating for religious freedom.
 

"Freedom of religion is one of the most fundamental rights. Nobody should be persecuted because of their faith. Despite the Russian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of conscience and religion for all, Donald Ossewaarde has been charged with a criminal offence for holding a peaceful Church service in his own home," said ADF International Legal Counsel Laurence Wilkinson.
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Russia considers putting the brakes on lawbreaking sites

13 March 2017 · Russia 

https://calvertjournal.com/news/show/7901/russia-considers-putting-the-brakes-on-lawbreaking-sites

 

Fed up of foreign companies sidestepping punishment by the courts, Russian lawmakers are considering a new strategy — slowing down the websites of internet companies that violate Russian law.
According to a report by Russian newspaperVedemosti, the law would be aimed at companies that have been able to evade judgments from Russian courts because they are officially registered abroad. While initially proposed to target foreign companies such as Google, any new rules would allegedly also apply to Russian companies, according to the report.
Rather than pushing through new legislation, lawmakers are considering bringing in the new rules by amending Russia's existing Yarovaya Law, a package of legal amendments intended to combat terrorism that was passed in 2016.
If you can't beat 'em, slow 'em down.

Source: The Moscow Times

 

 Friday, January 27, 2017
"US Missionary May Get Russia’s Anti-Evangelism Law Overturned" [article]
http://spirithismouth.blogspot.it/2017/01/us-missionary-may-get-russias-anti.html
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