Source: HRO.org (info), 08/02/12

· Freedom of conscience

On 7 February 2012 in Moscow the Institute for Freedom of Conscience presented its annual report “Freedom of Conscience in the Russian Federation – 2011”.

In addition to the authors of the report – the co-chairs of the Institute Sergei Mozgovoi and Sergei Buryanov – those taking part in the press conference were Ludmila Alekseeva, chair of the Moscow Helsinki Group, the priest Gleb Yakunin and the chief editor of the website “Portal-Credo.Ru” Aleksandr Soldatov.

The main tendencies of 2011 were identified as the continuing clericalization of government personnel, the introduction of priests in the military, the transfer of property to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the introduction of religion into schools, Sova Centre reports.

The report’s authors said that Jehovah’s Witnesses, representatives of ‘alternative’ Orthodoxy and Muslims were among the religious groups that have been most persecuted.