PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
RUSSIAN LAW ON FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE (9 July 1997)

That this House calls upon the Prime Minister to urge President Yeltsin to veto the draconian Law on Freedom of Conscience and Confession passed in the Russian Duma on 23rd June; notes that this law contravenes international standards of human rights and the European Convention of Human Rights amongst others; further notes that this bill, if enacted, would result in a profound loss of freedom for most religious organisations, denying their legal status and hence their ability to engage in financial and property transactions as well as charitable work; is deeply concerned that this law would authorise sweeping intrusions by state authorities into internal church matters, allowing secular authorities to judge the authenticity of the theology of religious groups as well as giving courts broad grounds for suppressing an organisation; notes that President Yeltsin has previously vetoed legislation of this nature; and calls upon the international community to urge him to maintain his stand in the face of this law which clearly violates religious liberty.

Sponsored by:
Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent)