RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Russian media sensitive to western criticism over Jehovah's Witnesses

POLITICAL SCIENTIST DESCRIBES HOW WEST WILL USE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

RIA Novosti, 21 April 2017

 

Pressure on the country because of "infringement" of the rights of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is a well-established international mechanism for accusations of lack of democracy, political scientist Alexander Asafov told RIA Novosti on Friday.

 

On Thursday the Russian Supreme Court ruled the activity of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia to be extremist and banned its work. Representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses told journalists that they intend to appeal the decision of the Russian court in the European Court for Human Rights. The German foreign ministry and the foreign policy service of the European Union also spoke out in defense of the organization.

 

"The Jehovah's Witnesses very much preserve their image of being persecuted and they always try to emphasize it. This is a well-developed mechanism of western countries for accusing the country of undemocratic means of rule. Without a doubt, the world 'progressive community' will not only bring lawsuits against Russia to the European Court for Human Rights but will also use this argument for political pressure on our country," Asafov said.

 

He said that the organization tries to present itself as quiet people studying the Bible; however this is a destructive sect.

 

"They try to present the case as if they prohibit only blood transfusion, but in fact the goal of the Jehovah's Witnesses is to withdraw as much as possible from society and civil life and to inhibit its obligations—voting in elections and serving in the army. For this they use methods of manipulation and suppression of consciousness," the political scientist added. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 April 2017)


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