Overview:

• State privilege is bestowed to the Russian Orthodox Church.

• A system of vertical recognition is in effect whereby varying levels of recognition are bestowed to different legal categories” from lowest to highest "religious groups”, “local religious organisations” (LROs), and “centralised religious organisations” (CROs); CROs correspond to denominations while LROs correspond to individual organisations (such as places of worship or parishes) part of broader denominations; meanwhile “religious groups” are informal gatherings of persons who share the same belief identity.

• Informational requirements for registration process are excessive and are broadly misused for the purpose of terminally restricting religious activity.

• Ongoing persecutions of the Jehovah's Witnesses and NRMs is terminal.

• The rule of mandatory registration violates the Bielefeldt provision.

• Widespread violation of the Durham principles is found throughout the Russian recognition system.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Dismantlement of the present abuse of recognition and registration that are used roundly to restrict religious activity.

• Establish a reorganised recognition system that is inclusive of all belief systems and their derivatives.

• Remove state privilege for the Russian Orthodox Church, especially to disable its political power and its power to influence laws on religious groups.

• Revoke terminally restrictive laws and policies unjustly governing religious activity.