[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION SHOULD 
    FULLY PROTECT THE FREEDOMS OF ALL RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES WITHOUT 
                              DISTINCTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the House is 
considering H. Con. Res. 190 today, that urges the Russian Federation 
to protect fully the freedoms of all religious communities without 
distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the 
Russian Constitution and international standards. As stated in the 
resolution, the United States throughout its history has sought to 
protect the fundamental and inalienable human right to seek, know, and 
serve God according to the dictates of one's own conscience. I 
completely agree. The ``first right'' of religious freedom must be 
respected, and so this resolution is of critical importance.
  The Russian Federation is an OSCE participating State and has freely 
committed to protect this right, so that all may freely profess and 
practice the religion or belief, either alone or in community with 
others. Russia has promised to do this through numerous OSCE documents, 
but also in its own constitution. Article 28 of the Russian 
constitution declares ``everyone shall be guaranteed the right to 
freedom of conscience, to freedom of religious worship, including the 
right to profess, individually or jointly with others, any religion.''
  Unfortunately, this fundamental right is not always observed, 
especially for groups that are not registered with the government. For 
groups denied registration, who have had their registration stripped, 
or refuse registration on religious grounds, the lack of registration 
means they experience significant difficulties in enjoying their 
religious liberties. Registration is critical for religious groups to 
enjoy fully their religious freedoms, as many rights and privileges 
afforded to religious communities are contingent on obtaining 
registration.
  In addition to discrimination by local authorities, in the last two 
years there have been more than ten arson attacks estimated on 
unregistered Protestant churches. At a Helsinki Commission hearing that 
I attended last year on problems facing unregistered religious groups 
in Russia, I was troubled to learn of the lack of effective action by 
law enforcement to bring the criminals to justice. The perpetrators of 
these hateful acts have gone unpunished, with police and other 
officials turning a blind eye. In the worst cases, law enforcement 
personnel have actually been the persecutors, carrying out violent 
actions against individuals from unregistered communities who are only 
wishing to practice peacefully their faith.
  In closing, the Russian Federation is urged to do more, to ensure 
that all may fully enjoy their religious liberties. I therefore urge my 
colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 190.

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