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Obama might discuss violations of religious freedom in Moscow

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), along with Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Ranking Minority Members Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) sent a letter to President Barack Obama today urging him to make the discussion of violations of human rights, including religious and press freedoms, high priorities for his upcoming summit in Moscow, reports Helsinki Commission News.

The leaders of the U.S. Helsinki Commission cited Russia’s violations of religious and press freedoms – including the country’s attacks on Jehovah’s Witnesses and its failure to prosecute those who have murdered journalists.

“Human rights, freedom of the press and freedom of religion are critical issues that need to be raised with Russia at the highest levels possible,” said Chairman Cardin. “Silence allows others to wrongly interpret our actions as tacit support. I strongly encourage the Administration to include human rights in a very visible and frank manner.”

The joint letter voices concerns which were highlighted today in a Commission hearing titled “The Medvedev Thaw: Is it Real? Will it Last?” Commissioners heard from the leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia about how members of that religion face official harassment because of their faith; a prominent businessman whose company was stolen by a network of corrupt government officials; and the widow of murdered Forbes Russia editor Paul Klebnikov, who was assassinated five years ago July after reporting on political corruption. Nobody has been held to account for Klebnikov’s murder.

“I hope President Obama will make discussions of freedom a central part of his visit with President Medvedev and show human rights advocates the world over that America’s commitment to reset the Russian relationship should come with a corresponding reset of Russia’s human rights record,” Co-Chairman Hastings said.

The Russian crackdown on Jehovah’s Witnesses, including the banning of religious literature is an outrageous display of discrimination.

“As an OSCE participating State, Russia should be encouraged to fully respect the rights of all Russians, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, to freely profess and practice their faith without fear or intimidation,” Commissioners wrote in the letter to President Obama.

TAGS: USA Russia U.S. Helsinki Commission Moscow summit religious and press freedoms

[06/25/2009]

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