Forum 18 - all articles, commentaries and analyses

Latest Analyses

Latest news

Index of all articles, commentaries and analyses published by Forum 18. The most recent articles at the top.

21 February 2017: Imam imprisoned after 10 years' absence
17 February 2017: Atheist writer faces more criminal charges
16 February 2017: Jehovah's Witnesses to be liquidated?
15 February 2017: Warnings and forced community liquidations increase
10 February 2017: Religious literature fines and confiscations continue
9 February 2017: Regime jails Muslims, doesn't arrest torturers
6 February 2017: Criminal cases for meeting, criticising Muslim Board
2 February 2017: Sharing beliefs "grave crime" requiring detention?
1 February 2017: Long-running cases against Muslims for meetings
26 January 2017: Ten years' imprisonment for religious meetings?
23 January 2017: Two prisoner of conscience deaths from torture?
20 January 2017: No effective punishment for body snatching
17 January 2017: Police claim "everything was done well"
13 January 2017: Religious freedom survey, January 2017
9 January 2017: Five more Sunni Muslim "missionaries" imprisoned
6 January 2017: Religious freedom survey, January 2017
5 January 2017: New controls on religious travel and literature
20 December 2016: Inconsistency of "anti-missionary" punishments
19 December 2016: Torture, prison for "illegal" religious materials
16 December 2016: Pensioners fined for praying with pensioners
15 December 2016: No grave, no prosecutions over twice-exhumed Christian
13 December 2016: Prisoners' human rights still denied
7 December 2016: State blocks parish priest nomination
6 December 2016: Questions ignored on tortured prisoners of conscience
1 December 2016: More literature-related arrests, raids, fines, jailings
30 November 2016: Who is obstructing Russian Orthodox diocese?
24 November 2016: Trial if imam's Istanbul asylum bid fails?
18 November 2016: More jailings, long-term prisoners' sentences increased
16 November 2016: Raids, fines enforce state religious censorship
11 November 2016: State permission to exist still denied
10 November 2016: Muslim jailed and fined, books banned
24 October 2016: Many meetings raided and evidence planted
21 October 2016: Judges' religious freedom to be restricted?
20 October 2016: Mobs twice exhume body – with impunity?
17 October 2016: Criminal case, fines, warnings, imprisonments for uncensored literature
13 October 2016: Freedom of belief and security threats
10 October 2016: Ten more Sunni Muslims sentenced
6 October 2016: 34 fines for "illegal" religious meeting
4 October 2016: Contradictory "expert analyses", four people fined
3 October 2016: Six conscientious objectors sentenced in 2016
29 September 2016: Punished for religious books at home
26 September 2016: Imprisoned Muslim leader – alive or dead?
21 September 2016: Search, arrest, torture, escape, arrest, prison
20 September 2016: Police, officials close Sunni home mosques
13 September 2016: "Extremism" religious freedom survey, September 2016
7 September 2016: Mass trial of Muslims in Oskemen
6 September 2016: Last madrassahs finally closed
31 August 2016: Pensioners fined as Parliament awaits new Law
26 August 2016: Punishments under anti-sharing beliefs changes begin
23 August 2016: "Attracting children" an offence?
19 August 2016: Anti-sharing beliefs changes' first use
18 August 2016: Will Judge punish praying pensioners?
12 August 2016: Sharing faith a state security issue?
9 August 2016: Raids, prison, fines for home religious meetings
5 August 2016: Prisoners tortured, authorities deny torture happened
3 August 2016: "Alternative service exists, not for me"
29 July 2016: Imprisonments, trial and torture of Muslims
27 July 2016: Mosques ordered to close for "repairs"
22 July 2016: Government contradicts UN Human Rights Committee
18 July 2016: New summary fines, no due process
15 July 2016: How many punished for exercising freedom?
12 July 2016: Meals and under-18s in mosques banned
8 July 2016: Putin signs sharing beliefs, "extremism", punishments
5 July 2016: Conscientious objectors face corrective labour sentences
4 July 2016: Sharing belief restrictions, increased "extremism" punishments?
30 June 2016: State ends priest's 25-year parish ministry
29 June 2016: Eleven new "extremism" criminal trials?
28 June 2016: Three-year imprisonment for religious literature?
24 June 2016: Prisoners of conscience jailed, one extradited
22 June 2016: One more sentenced prisoner of conscience
15 June 2016: Harshened Criminal and Administrative Code punishments
14 June 2016: Harsher laws planned as 89-year-old fined
10 June 2016: Bank accounts blocked, "expert analysis" costs
8 June 2016: 31st criminal conviction since December 2014
7 June 2016: Large fines for "illegal" religious literature
2 June 2016: Fines for religious meetings "correct"?
31 May 2016: State tells Muslims when to pray
25 May 2016: Fines, rape threat for religious literature
24 May 2016: Jehovah's Witnesses face possible liquidation
19 May 2016: Imprisonments "designed to scare the population"
18 May 2016: 2015 prosecutions for publicly sharing beliefs
16 May 2016: Religious musical banned
13 May 2016: Punished for worship meetings; UN appeals
11 May 2016: Religious literature fines, prison, destruction
6 May 2016: Continued state "total control" of Islam
5 May 2016: Jehovah's Witness Bible to be "extremist"?
27 April 2016: Shia Muslim prisoner – one of many – reported close to death
26 April 2016: "Inciting religious hatred" charges for at least 6 imams and man who filmed police harassment
25 April 2016: In 2015, 89 known individuals and communities prosecuted for religious literature
22 April 2016: Now 30 Sunni Muslims convicted since December 2014, KNB secret police spy
18 April 2016: Children's summer camp warning, fines, new Religion Law, "no religion" in army
14 April 2016: More than half Ashgabad's mosques now destroyed
13 April 2016: Poor jail conditions, torture and large fines for Protestants
11 April 2016: Eight facing criminal cases, five already under arrest
7 April 2016: "His only fault was to have some sermons on his mobile phone"
5 April 2016: No amnesty for prisoner of conscience, no reparations despite UN instruction
31 March 2016: Good Friday in Almaty
28 March 2016: Three new prison terms, legal advisor next?
22 March 2016: Enforced liquidation of communities accelerates
21 March 2016: "Aren't you exaggerating by saying he was detained?"
18 March 2016: "Isolate the population"
16 March 2016: Religious books banned as "extremist", but Prosecutor "can't remember" why
14 March 2016: Plenipotentiary attacks Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses, no religious radio
9 March 2016: Crossword books, but no religious literature in prison
3 March 2016: Impunity for officials, mob and torturers ignoring law
2 March 2016: Freedom of religion or belief "extremist" text prosecutions increase
25 February 2016: Now 13 Sunni Muslim prisoners of conscience, 12 restricted freedom sentences over 15 months
23 February 2016: Proposed insulting religious feelings law withdrawn – for now
22 February 2016: Community service order, 31 initial fines in 46 cases for public religious events over 4 months
18 February 2016: Freedom of religion or belief without state permission = murder?
17 February 2016: Prisoner of conscience "saying his last goodbye to his sisters"
16 February 2016: "This is absurd – he wouldn't have fought with anyone, still less on his last day"
8 February 2016: "What were they afraid of? We didn't take anyone away"
5 February 2016: Colonel claims Constitution "nonsense", human rights treaties "not important"
2 February 2016: Nine Sunni Muslims on trial, another awaiting trial
29 January 2016: Convicted and freed, but no compensation for 50 week imprisonment
27 January 2016: Prisoner of conscience tortured – with impunity?
26 January 2016: Four mosques remain closed, Georgian Orthodox still with no priest
21 January 2016: Raids, charges, detentions and fines of Muslims continue
20 January 2016: UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemns prisoners of consciences' jailings
12 January 2016: Muslim freedom of religion or belief prisoners of consciences' trials due
7 January 2016: Religious freedom survey, January 2016
5 January 2016: Paying fines "would be to admit that they did something wrong"
28 December 2015: Two years' imprisonment for Astana Adventist
18 December 2015: No Christmas meetings for worship for Georgian Orthodox?
16 December 2015: Repeated fines, repeated jailings of prisoners of conscience
14 December 2015: Customs block literature "with no reason, no legal right and no court ruling"
11 December 2015: Do individuals have religious freedom or only registered organisations?
9 December 2015: Women's criminal trial to start after 10 months' imprisonment
8 December 2015: "State prosecutor wants Yklas to serve 7 years in prison!"
7 December 2015: Police and Imam "forced family to bury deceased in cemetery where officers took them"
3 December 2015: Criminal convictions for "extremist" prayer and Bible-reading meetings
1 December 2015: Police killings, shooting and mass arrests as Muslims pray
30 November 2015: Some but not all sacred texts exempted from banning
26 November 2015: Police raid, torture, steal and plant drugs
24 November 2015: Sixth Muslim in KNB secret police pre-trial imprisonment
19 November 2015: Conscientious objector (again) one of 20 current prisoners of conscience
18 November 2015: New fines, Bible destructions follow UN concern over religious censorship
17 November 2015: Will schools respect parents' and pupils' freedom of religion or belief?
12 November 2015: Police torture one Muslim, 10 more short-term prisoners of conscience
9 November 2015: Seven years' restricted freedom for discussing faith
5 November 2015: State obstructs building new non-Georgian Orthodox places of worship
4 November 2015: Two prison terms, 25 initial fines in 37 cases for public religious events over 4 months
3 November 2015: Will government defend judges, lawyers and residents from police?
2 November 2015: Last days for embattled mosque?
28 October 2015: "Residents wanted to worship. Instead, they came face to face with police truncheons"
27 October 2015: Why does government still try to conscript conscientious objectors?
20 October 2015: Police impunity for torturing people at religious meeting?
14 October 2015: 23 known prosecutions for religious literature in four months
13 October 2015: KNB secret police-inspired criminal prosecutions
8 October 2015: Five latest freedom of religion or belief prisoners of conscience
7 October 2015: Wave of prosecutions against "extremist" Muslims
1 October 2015: "We forbid religious books – but this isn't religious discrimination"
29 September 2015: Fines, deportations, criminal trials to punish meetings for worship and study
25 September 2015: Communities' foreign contacts blocked, websites banned, Central Asia's only legal religious-based political party banned
24 September 2015: Orthodox Archbishop denied entry, another conscientious objector show trial
21 September 2015: Religious literature banned and blocked
18 September 2015: Over 160 year wait to go on haj pilgrimage?
17 September 2015: Have Religion Law amendments rendered unregistered religious activity illegal?
16 September 2015: Madrassahs closed – for one year or for ever?
11 September 2015: "Threatened we will be put in prison if we don't stop visiting each other for prayers"
9 September 2015: Seven months' secret police detention so far, three more added
8 September 2015: 11 weeks with no Sunday liturgy
2 September 2015: Cancelled fine for religious meeting re-imposed
28 August 2015: Another enforced liquidation, place of worship to be seized
26 August 2015: Criminal trial of conscientious objector a show trial?
24 August 2015: Religious festival raided, two-year investigation, criminal trials, one fine
20 August 2015: Two-month KNB secret police detention – prosecution to follow?
19 August 2015: "His screams of terror and pain could be heard throughout the building"
17 August 2015: Why do authorities close public prayer rooms?
13 August 2015: "What right do authorities have to scare our children?"
11 August 2015: Muslim bookseller's prison sentence "a judicial secret"
6 August 2015: Large fine follows police bullying of children
5 August 2015: Raid, warnings, deportation
29 July 2015: "Teaching religion unlawfully in a private flat"
27 July 2015: Banning religious texts easy, unbanning them difficult
20 July 2015: Conscientious objector threatened with conscription
17 July 2015: Mosque again denied legal status, Imam dies, electricity "temporarily" cut off
16 July 2015: Religious freedom survey, July 2015
13 July 2015: Imam prisoner of conscience jailed for one year
10 July 2015: Three Muslim prisoners of conscience jailed for 15 to 6 months for selling books
8 July 2015: Muslim prisoner of conscience given nearly 5 years' jail and ban until end 2022 on exercising freedom of religion or belief
29 June 2015: Pastor also to face criminal case?
26 June 2015: "Expert conclusions" force structure and activity changes
24 June 2015: Fined for books that "have absolutely nothing to do with the mufti"
18 June 2015: Alternative Service Law "a bad law. But it exists and that's good."
15 June 2015: From raid to ban in 12 days
10 June 2015: Muslim preacher the latest prisoner of conscience
8 June 2015: Bans demanded for "religious superiority", "religious hatred"
4 June 2015: Tortured till he lost consciousness
3 June 2015: New punishments for "religious agitation in public places"?
2 June 2015: Interrogated, photographed, fingerprinted, fined
29 May 2015: Draft Religion Law still repressive, Alternative Service Law stalled?
27 May 2015: Trials of Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses continue
26 May 2015: "He was acting as a bookseller illegally"
22 May 2015: Will state officials obey the law?
21 May 2015: Torture and jail for one 4 year and 14 short-term prisoners of conscience
15 May 2015: Increased fines for "extremist" texts, one jailing so far in 2015
14 May 2015: Prisoners of consciences' detention extended, criminal cases imminent
6 May 2015: "My police shave me"
1 May 2015: Jailed for exercising freedom of religion or belief in public
24 April 2015: Short-term jailings, fines and harassment
21 April 2015: Baku's pre-Olympic Mosque closure?
17 April 2015: Baptist facing three years jail for breaking state censorship?
14 April 2015: "She fears police brutality during interrogation and short-term jailing"
9 April 2015: Transfer from detention for prisoners of conscience rejected
1 April 2015: Hijab ban and state-written sermons "only a recommendation"?
31 March 2015: 65 known "extremist" religious literature cases in 2014
27 March 2015: Religious freedom survey, March 2015
26 March 2015: Only one percent of religious organisations re-registered
20 March 2015: More literature, website and video bans, but one partially overturned
16 March 2015: Six new freedom of religion or belief prisoners of conscience
12 March 2015: "Who can forbid us from praying?" Yet raids, fines continue
6 March 2015: Muslim first known victim of lengthened "extremism" prison terms
4 March 2015: "Pardoned only after repenting and asking the President for forgiveness"
2 March 2015: Prosecutions for public evangelism and public meetings for worship
25 February 2015: "A general unwillingness to properly protect human rights"
24 February 2015: Another Mosque forcibly transferred to new leadership
23 February 2015: Latest secret police prisoners – two female Jehovah's Witnesses
20 February 2015: Slander and obstruction to keep foreigners out
18 February 2015: Two amnestied prisoners, conscientious objector in hospital, beaten "Wahhabis"
16 February 2015: Nakhichevan detentions without trial, beatings and attempted kidnapping
12 February 2015: Five years' imprisonment for "normal Muslims" who "simply conduct prayers"?
11 February 2015: Detention, fine, literature confiscation was "hospitality we got for bringing mandarins"
4 February 2015: Fined when "no such community" met for worship
2 February 2015: Former rehab centre residents "scared and tired of police pressure"
29 January 2015: After raids and pre-trial detention, six Muslims fined
26 January 2015: "Subject to action by the law-enforcement agencies"
22 January 2015: Punishments continue for religious literature
21 January 2015: Thoughtcrime banned
20 January 2015: Convent closed following nuns' enforced departure
14 January 2015: Four 20-month prison terms, one 18-month term
12 January 2015: "Social justice" the Kazakh way
19 December 2014: No freedom of religion or belief "unless they have registration", Anti-Terrorism Police claim
16 December 2014: Kaliningrad and Moscow struggles for places of worship
12 December 2014: One three-year jail term, 5 or 25 more to follow?
8 December 2014: State-sponsored media attacks continue
4 December 2014: 200 Nakhichevan Muslims arrested, 50 still detained, 50 mosques closed
3 December 2014: Bans on more literature, website and video
1 December 2014: Forced mosque liquidation, Baptists and Adventists told to liquidate themselves
26 November 2014: Koran translation banned, New Testaments destroyed, planted evidence and witness, large fines
20 November 2014: "Extremism" charges for possessing Muslim books, Jehovah's Witness community ban confirmed
18 November 2014: Imprisoned for pistol or prayer room?
13 November 2014: "A fabricated case" states Judge, but women still under arrest
10 November 2014: Conscientious objector "a criminal who must pay the price for his crime"
4 November 2014: Religious freedom survey, November 2014
3 November 2014: "All our priests and nuns will have to leave by the 2014 year end"
30 October 2014: Contradictory court decisions, arbitrary official actions
29 October 2014: Guns, weapons, drugs – and religious literature
28 October 2014: Eight prisoners of conscience amnestied
24 October 2014: "Draconian" proposed Religion Law and Administrative Code changes
22 October 2014: Prison death result of accident, illness, torture, neglect?
14 October 2014: "New forms of countering religious activity by non-traditional religious movements"
10 October 2014: Ten days' imprisonment for "extremist" book
8 October 2014: Fourteenth known 2014 short-term prison term
1 October 2014: No imam? No prayers
29 September 2014: Freed after four weeks, but court "failed to correct an injustice"
26 September 2014: Rehabilitation Centre suspended, leaders under criminal investigation
24 September 2014: What will happen to state-confiscated places of worship?
22 September 2014: Transfer to house arrest a prelude to trial?
18 September 2014: "We will continue fining you unless you stop storing religious literature in your home"
16 September 2014: Religious freedom survey, September 2014
11 September 2014: Six weeks until Catholic parish loses priest?
10 September 2014: The unbearable burden of re-registration?
8 September 2014: Further fines for religious literature
5 September 2014: Why can't school-age children attend worship meetings?
3 September 2014: Enforced departure of Turkish imams; FSB surveillance
1 September 2014: Raids, religious literature seizures, passport confiscations and expulsions
28 August 2014: "We still cry when we remember the burned books"
26 August 2014: First known Russian religious literature "extremism" prosecution
25 August 2014: Eleven-year wait on haj pilgrimage list?
20 August 2014: Same court, same judge, same four-year prison sentence, different victim
19 August 2014: Suspended prison terms and fines and criminal records for meeting for worship
14 August 2014: Four months' extra prison term because "they gave him too little"
11 August 2014: "They don't want a Sunni mosque in the Old City"
7 August 2014: NSM secret police detentions extended, conscientious objector's appeal fails
5 August 2014: European Court repeats calls for Religion Law change
1 August 2014: Police violence, forcible injections, fabricated charges, four years jail for prisoner of conscience
24 July 2014: Another jailing, large fines for meeting upheld, more confiscations
21 July 2014: Jailings under Administrative Code continue as new Codes signed
18 July 2014: Orthodox Bishop banned
17 July 2014: Ahmadis "must not worship together. Otherwise they will be punished"
9 July 2014: Two criminal cases continue as new Criminal Code signed
8 July 2014: Almost incommunicado in Investigation Prison
4 July 2014: "Legally" preventing human rights
27 June 2014: Old and new place of worship problems, Greek Catholic clergy restrictions
26 June 2014: Raids, violence, threats – but what protection do victims get?
19 June 2014: Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims face up to six years' imprisonment
17 June 2014: Teacher and bookseller fined, imam's fine overturned
12 June 2014: "I want to read the last rites over my son's body"
11 June 2014: "I don't see political will on higher level" to resolve burial problems
9 June 2014: Third Muslim in secret police pre-trial detention
6 June 2014: Complaining to local authorities about burial violations is "useless"
5 June 2014: Obstructions to building places of worship
3 June 2014: "The banned book the Old Testament was confiscated"
29 May 2014: Drink vodka – yes, watch football – yes, praying – no
28 May 2014: Where is prayer allowed?
23 May 2014: Auction to end Old Believer church restitution hopes?
21 May 2014: "Not accused of extremism", but punished
16 May 2014: Two months' jail for religious meetings without state permission?
13 May 2014: "To prevent illegal religious materials"
9 May 2014: "Let him pay the fine and we'll return the car"
8 May 2014: Beating to extract "evidence"; conscientious objector gets one year's military detention
6 May 2014: Muslim Nursi texts, Old Testament, and Jehovah's Witness texts "banned"
2 May 2014: Another 5 year prison term for sermons in mobile
1 May 2014: "They'll punish you .. whether or not you committed a crime"
28 April 2014: Three year prison terms for Koran study?
25 April 2014: "Those who accepted other religions may not be buried in same cemetery with Muslims"
22 April 2014: Jailed over Easter; new deportation order
17 April 2014: Lenten service raided, other raids, warnings of "illegal activity"
16 April 2014: Four days incommunicado at secret police – so far
15 April 2014: European Court request enough to protect Uzbek asylum seeker?
10 April 2014: "Tired of the unjust treatment of the books, ourselves, and our loved ones"
8 April 2014: 14 year church ownership annulled
1 April 2014: Criminal convictions overturned, but will alternative to military service be for all?
26 March 2014: St Petersburg church liquidated, Rostov and Chelyabinsk drug and alcohol rehabilitation targeted
25 March 2014: Detained for religious materials in electronic devices
24 March 2014: Seven Muslims amnestied, but ailing Muslim prisoner waits for operation
21 March 2014: One-year prison term for latest conscientious objector
20 March 2014: Religious freedom survey, March 2014
18 March 2014: Anti-Terrorism Police seize religious literature, tear down religious posters
13 March 2014: 87-year-old fined, two new five-day prison terms
12 March 2014: Two fines, two more sentences imminent, court-ordered book destructions
6 March 2014: Homeless shelter officially closed; Baptists fined
4 March 2014: Still no mosque for Sochi, Protestants struggle to keep church
3 March 2014: State control of Islam increasing
27 February 2014: Freeing belief communities from state interference "a mistake"
25 February 2014: Who can be a conscientious objector?
18 February 2014: Concern over health of prisoners of conscience
17 February 2014: Criminal conviction, large "moral damages" - and new criminal case?
12 February 2014: New Decree gives "legal" basis to existing censorship
11 February 2014: "We do not believe in the justice of our court"
10 February 2014: Conscientious objector's trial to begin after 4 months' detention
6 February 2014: Massive fine for Muslim prayer mat, Christian book raid ordered by NSS secret police
5 February 2014: "We're liquidating the [mosque] community"
3 February 2014: Long-awaited Alternative Service Law abandoned?
29 January 2014: Art lessons, talking constitute "illegal" religious activity?
28 January 2014: Jailed for refusing to pay fines for exercising human rights without state permission
27 January 2014: Two "extremism" bans overturned - but bans, fines continue
23 January 2014: Do foreigners have religious freedom?
22 January 2014: Criminal trial begins for 67-year-old pastor
20 January 2014: Religion, schools and the right to choose
16 January 2014: Religious freedom survey, January 2014
14 January 2014: 48-hour jail terms for refusing to pay "unjust" fines
13 January 2014: Baptist worship raided, Catholic priest "will be tried"
8 January 2014: "We have experts to check icons"
6 January 2014: Fines for "extremist" books
20 December 2013: "Singing about God here is banned"
20 December 2013: New prisoner of conscience, prisoners "set up" not to be amnestied
19 December 2013: Fined for praying for deceased
18 December 2013: Ten fines in Tashkent Region, more elsewhere
16 December 2013: Amnesty for jailed Koran verses and sermon "smuggler"?
12 December 2013: "I want my rights to be protected by our government, not violated"
9 December 2013: KGB releases priest, but house arrest and treason investigation continue
6 December 2013: Building places of worship "not appropriate"
4 December 2013: Have "suspended" Islamic schools been closed down?
2 December 2013: Alternatives to "extremism" charges to punish freedom of religion or belief
28 November 2013: Jailed conscientious objectors freed - but alternative service applications missing?
26 November 2013: Muslims sentenced for discussing Islam and praying
25 November 2013: Catholic and Protestant "extremism"?
21 November 2013: "They need permission from the local authorities"
18 November 2013: "The law demands that all religious literature be checked by the state"
15 November 2013: Censorship "is not censorship", tightened censorship planned
11 November 2013: At least 153 fines in 2013 – and counting
7 November 2013: "Tragicomedy and mockery of justice"
5 November 2013: Prisoner of conscience exposed to TB
4 November 2013: "He was told not to sell religious literature"
30 October 2013: Baptist faces one year in jail, Hare Krishna community ordered halted for three months
25 October 2013: Incoherence persists in counter-"extremism" policy
24 October 2013: Baptist camp ordered seized, Protestant pressured to inform
21 October 2013: Muslims "fed up" with "not being allowed to read these texts"
17 October 2013: "Imprisoned conscientious objectors should be immediately and unconditionally released"
15 October 2013: Why is Catholic priest still detained by KGB secret police?
9 October 2013: Pastor re-arrested within minutes as suspected "extremist"
7 October 2013: Pastor to be transferred from prison to house arrest
4 October 2013: Offences a pretext for deportation?
2 October 2013: Threats, fear, and independent mosque closures
1 October 2013: What's wrong with "extremist" Koran translation?
30 September 2013: Pastor deported, Orthodox priest to follow?
27 September 2013: Muslims rush to challenge Koran "extremism" ruling
18 September 2013: Church piano, pulpit, carpet, refrigerator seized
17 September 2013: "If you adopt their faith I'll tear off your head"
16 September 2013: When will five-fold state-backed religious monopoly end?
12 September 2013: Religious books "only allowed to be read within registered religious communities' buildings"
11 September 2013: Moscow Krishna devotees face eviction
9 September 2013: Imprisoned Catholic priest "Polish spy" or religious freedom victim?
6 September 2013: Six-month "extremism" sentence for St Petersburg Nursi reader
4 September 2013: Atheist freed, but criminal case continues; Pastor transferred from psychiatric hospital
3 September 2013: Inviting to religious worship a new offence
29 August 2013: New prisoner of conscience; police raid children's camp
22 August 2013: Nationwide fines and raids on meetings continue
20 August 2013: Is it possible to manifest religion or belief in teaching and education?
19 August 2013: Parliamentary Religion Committee back in action
15 August 2013: Rise in legal proposals affecting religious freedom
14 August 2013: "Religious feelings" not offended – or the calm before the storm?
9 August 2013: State tries to take one children's summer camp, raids another
8 August 2013: Religious freedom survey, August 2013
2 August 2013: Ramadan restrictions, violent police assault on Protestant
26 July 2013: Atheist and Pastor still detained with little evidence to convict either
19 July 2013: Pensioners owning Koran and Bibles fined over two years pension
15 July 2013: State destroys own "extremism" evidence
11 July 2013: Teaching Islam to children a crime, raids and large fines continue
10 July 2013: Orthodox relics block Jehovah's Witness meeting
9 July 2013: Constitutional Court justifies more freedom of religion or belief restrictions
4 July 2013: Will police protect Muslim prayers from mobs?
2 July 2013: Praying in homeless shelter a crime
28 June 2013: Conscientious objectors amnestied, imam and driver not freed
25 June 2013: Extradited and given 12 years' imprisonment
24 June 2013: Eight readers of Islamic theologian arrested
20 June 2013: Readers of Islamic theologian under house arrest, travel bans
18 June 2013: Imams' defence rejected "for contradicting prosecution"
14 June 2013: Raids and fines restart, eviction again suspended for now
12 June 2013: Criminal trial for atheist writer imminent, pastor still in prison, new criminal case
10 June 2013: "Double punishment" of fines and exit bans
6 June 2013: New legal amendments to end conscientious objector jailings?
30 May 2013: Officials "acted like bandits"
29 May 2013: Government checks on religious organisations seek "extremism"
28 May 2013: Mixed response to sweeping government checks
23 May 2013: Raids, deportation, visa denial, Government denies UPR complaints
22 May 2013: Why were hundreds of religious organisations checked?
21 May 2013: Criminal conviction, fines for meeting at home and carrying Bible
20 May 2013: Pentecostal jailed for 2 months pre-trial, Baptist gets 3-days jail, atheist still in psychiatric hospital
17 May 2013: Lebap Region raids, confiscations, fines and public vilification
15 May 2013: Tight state controls on religious education
14 May 2013: Imam and driver in pre-trial detention, conscientious objector imprisoned
8 May 2013: Why was Muslim prisoner of conscience extradited to Uzbekistan?
7 May 2013: Continuing denials of prisoners' freedom of religion or belief
6 May 2013: Freedom of religion and belief to suffer in "anti-extremism" programme?
2 May 2013: Harsh fines cancelled, banned books list publication soon?
1 May 2013: Devout Muslim "may receive up to 15 years" in jail
26 April 2013: Religious free speech "doesn't exist"
22 April 2013: Four raids, heart attack, eight fines – amid presidential claims of religious freedom
18 April 2013: Imprisoned atheist mad, bad, or neither?
16 April 2013: "He needs local state permission to preach"
12 April 2013: "All believers are backward-looking fanatics who drag society down"
11 April 2013: "Unbelievable" fines after no trial and raid with no warrant
10 April 2013: Never too old to be fined
8 April 2013: Eight raids, two official warnings in three months
4 April 2013: Heavy fines follow police raids and confiscations
2 April 2013: Criminal prosecutions to punish registration applications?
27 March 2013: Is "negative evaluation of Christianity" a crime?
25 March 2013: Ninth imprisoned conscientious objector
22 March 2013: Religious political party members fined for religious activity
21 March 2013: Familiar twist in anti-Jehovah's Witness campaign
18 March 2013: Religious freedom fines multiply – criminal penalties to come?
14 March 2013: Court-ordered religious book burning a first?
11 March 2013: Extradition overturned, but new charges and transfer to prison close to Uzbekistan
5 March 2013: What's the matter with Said Nursi?
4 March 2013: The new Constitution and the headscarf – a selective freedom?
1 March 2013: "If they continue to pray, they'll be brought to legal responsibility"
28 February 2013: Contradictions in "extremism" case against imams
27 February 2013: "Extremism" trial of imams resumes
26 February 2013: Will international law protect Uzbek imam from extradition?
25 February 2013: Government changes Islamic leadership again
21 February 2013: Bookshop censorship, ban on all non-Hanafi Sunni Muslim literature
19 February 2013: Criminal charges to follow armed Tatarstan raids?
18 February 2013: Four new conscientious objector prisoners of conscience
14 February 2013: Raid, two-day detentions, torture, rape threat, fines
7 February 2013: Should religious freedom be a "core interest"?
6 February 2013: Imam still faces extradition to Uzbek torture
5 February 2013: "To counter manifestations of religious extremism and terrorism"
31 January 2013: Raids, criminal charges and Christmas Bible destruction
30 January 2013: Religious freedom survey, January 2013
28 January 2013: Extradition "would violate our international human rights obligations"
25 January 2013: "Protect us from officials' lawlessness"
22 January 2013: Seven large fines for "illegal missionary activity" – so far
17 January 2013: No legal place of worship for 40,000-strong town
16 January 2013: Accountability for raiders through Baku and Strasbourg courts?
10 January 2013: Alternative Service Law "earliest by summer 2014"?
8 January 2013: NSC secret police behind "needed" new religious freedom punishments
3 January 2013: Reduced state harassment of Jehovah's Witnesses?
2 January 2013: Is anti-Jehovah's Witness campaign slowing?
20 December 2012: Muslim prisoners of consciences' appeals rejected, Christians warned against sharing beliefs and international contacts
19 December 2012: Religion Law changes being done "democratically"
17 December 2012: Singing and reading Bibles on holiday prosecuted
14 December 2012: Why is Falun Gong literature banned?
13 December 2012: Censorship amendments to Religion Law signed
11 December 2012: Mosques and churches forcibly closed
10 December 2012: China-led restrictions on Falun Gong
7 December 2012: "There can be no Tatar, Chechen or Tajik mosques"
5 December 2012: Government "did the right thing" in allowing wanted Uzbek pastor to leave
5 December 2012: Last minute reprieve for charismatic church
4 December 2012: Expectations of the new Constitution and what this means for freedom of religion or belief
3 December 2012: Two new imprisonments as Strasbourg again fines government
29 November 2012: Fined for discussing their faith and praying together
28 November 2012: One week left for charismatic church?
26 November 2012: Weibo and advancing freedom of religion or belief
23 November 2012: Jailed for discussing their faith and learning to pray
22 November 2012: Muslim Board Islamic monopoly, Catholic exemption
21 November 2012: "Complex", "arbitrary", "unnecessary" and "expensive" re-registration process
15 November 2012: "They simply prayed together"
12 November 2012: Censorship "to create an environment of freedom of conscience"
9 November 2012: Former prisoners of consciences' homes raided, literature confiscated
6 November 2012: Religious freedom "the only viable option for consolidating Russia's extraordinary diversity"
5 November 2012: "What difference does it make whether you are registered or not?"
1 November 2012: "The Kremlin's failure to uphold its own constitutional commitment to religious freedom"
31 October 2012: Continuing haj restrictions, increasing raids on Christians, religious freedom prisoners of conscience remain jailed
29 October 2012: 15 years' jail for UNHCR-recognised refugee if deportation to Uzbekistan proceeds?
25 October 2012: Is confiscating religious literature censorship?
24 October 2012: Pressure on founders to deny re-registration?
23 October 2012: Government blames "errors" for negative Venice Commission/OSCE Opinion
19 October 2012: Criminal investigation, "hallucinogenic" Communion wine, "extremist" books?
16 October 2012: One conscientious objector jailed, others called up
15 October 2012: Pussy Riot, blasphemy, and freedom of religion or belief
11 October 2012: Article 20.29 causes 60-day community ban, fines, and bookshop closure
10 October 2012: "The crime he is being accused of does not envisage the existence of victims"
5 October 2012: "Illegal extremists" or peaceful Muslims?
3 October 2012: No more mosques outside "Muslim areas"?
2 October 2012: Multiple fines for unregistered worship meeting
27 September 2012: Raids, fines, exit denial, bloodied hands
26 September 2012: No more mosques for Moscow?
24 September 2012: 74-year-old woman among latest police raid victims
20 September 2012: Jailings of conscientious objectors resume
18 September 2012: "Leave only one spoon, one mug and one mattress for each"
17 September 2012: "Sacred primary source of one of world's major religions" destroyed
13 September 2012: Raised penalties for demonstrations extended to worship
12 September 2012: The marketisation of religious sites
11 September 2012: Raid, beating, literature destruction – but fine annulled
10 September 2012: Fears over latest Uzbek extradition case
6 September 2012: Shock at Moscow church demolition
5 September 2012: Upsurge in raids, threats, fines
30 August 2012: One month in prison, another to follow
28 August 2012: Further administrative penalties punish religious activity
22 August 2012: How far will new Constitution protect freedom of religion or belief?
17 August 2012: Another conscientious objector prisoner of conscience
14 August 2012: Asphyxiation with a gas mask "amounts to torture"
13 August 2012: "Unlawful" fine – but will state do anything about it?
10 August 2012: Ramadan mosque bans, JW jailed, Church ban upheld
6 August 2012: "It is prohibited to keep such books at home"
1 August 2012: More "extremist" books to be banned?
31 July 2012: "A completely innocent person can be subjected to criminal prosecution"
30 July 2012: "Absurd bans"
25 July 2012: Two women deported for exercising religious freedom
23 July 2012: "Extremism" religious freedom survey, July 2012
20 July 2012: Two plus three equals five
19 July 2012: Religious freedom survey, July 2012
18 July 2012: New literature controls not "formally" about censorship
12 July 2012: Changing climate for religious NGOs?
11 July 2012: "They were praying where they weren't allowed"
6 July 2012: Prosecutor General preparing new banning suit
4 July 2012: After four years' imprisonment, another 30 months
29 June 2012: Tightened censorship from September?
28 June 2012: Not arrested, merely detained
27 June 2012: Non-existent offences prosecuted
19 June 2012: "An attempt to revive total ideological control"
15 June 2012: "We need to protect the rights of the majority"
13 June 2012: Religious groups, expectations of the new Constitution, and the AKP
11 June 2012: Imminent expulsion for exercising religious freedom?
6 June 2012: Many long "extremism" trials, few convictions
30 May 2012: "The Church will be closed down anyway"
29 May 2012: Police raid and charge "people in strange clothes"
28 May 2012: Prisoner of conscience freed, but remains under restrictions
22 May 2012: Baptist convicted on evidence "fabricated" by police
21 May 2012: The media, popular opinion and religious freedom
18 May 2012: "No-one was raided"
17 May 2012: Another prisoner of conscience jailed on false charges?
16 May 2012: "Suddenly this case comes and they are regarded as law-breakers"
15 May 2012: No religious burials for executed prisoners
9 May 2012: An "unsanctioned meeting in a private home" - with a bomb?
8 May 2012: How many religious books await compulsory state censorship?
4 May 2012: "I'm not going to the army"
1 May 2012: Selective progress on conscientious objection
30 April 2012: Restrictions on and punishment for spreading religious literature and faith
26 April 2012: Court liquidates Church
25 April 2012: Waiting for state approval to sell religious books
24 April 2012: Ahmadi Muslims closed down everywhere, Methodist congregation next?
18 April 2012: Maximum prison sentence for latest conscientious objector
17 April 2012: Religious freedom survey, April 2012
13 April 2012: Judge "has already decided in her own mind to liquidate us" ?
11 April 2012: Continuing freedom of movement bans
4 April 2012: Regional targeting of religious "sects"
30 March 2012: 12 April liquidation for Baku church?
28 March 2012: "They broke the law and have to answer before the courts"
27 March 2012: Four fines for Bibles, prisoner transferred
26 March 2012: Psychiatric examination, lawyer gagged, car tampering
21 March 2012: "I've never encountered the practice of destroying religious literature before"
20 March 2012: A post-Communist managerial state and freedom of religion or belief
19 March 2012: Religious literature only for "internal use by registered religious organisations"
16 March 2012: Islamic and Christian literature ordered destroyed
15 March 2012: Raids continue, liquidation case adjourned
13 March 2012: "Illegal liquidation"
8 March 2012: Religious freedom survey, March 2012
5 March 2012: One "extremism" criminal trial ends, others continue
1 March 2012: Kaliningrad Muslim "extremist" ?
29 February 2012: "Illegal use" of property, meetings for worship stopped, independent mosque pressured
27 February 2012: Raids, threats, warnings for religious meetings
22 February 2012: Small religious communities "banned under new Law"
21 February 2012: Why is state Financial Investigation Committee investigating a priest?
20 February 2012: Pastor freed, other religious prisoners of conscience remain jailed
16 February 2012: "Show trial" for conscientious objector
15 February 2012: "Denigrating religious values" - A way to silence critics of religion?
14 February 2012: First known use of harsh new punishments
13 February 2012: "We treat everybody equally"
10 February 2012: Renounce your beliefs or you won't be released
8 February 2012: Is publishing religious poetry a crime?
6 February 2012: Mosque raided, worshippers detained without trial, imams removed and fined, sermons banned
1 February 2012: After Strasbourg punishment, will government resolve alternative service issue "for ever"?
25 January 2012: Four-year prison sentence after "secret trial"
24 January 2012: "I don't care about the law or your rights"
20 January 2012: Prisoner of conscience freed but not exonerated
18 January 2012: "We have not been able to pray and worship together"
17 January 2012: Conscientious objector jailed for 30 months
16 January 2012: "Against the Constitution and discriminatory"
12 January 2012: Appeal to be freed from jail due, but criminal prosecutions continue
10 January 2012: One acquittal, but the same day trial of two more begins
5 January 2012: Has "madness" of banning religious publications been stopped?
22 December 2011: "Without registration you can't pray"
21 December 2011: "I received it from heaven"
19 December 2011: Promoting the "progressiveness" of the harsh new Religion Law
15 December 2011: Latest repressive laws signed by President
14 December 2011: Massive fines and warnings for meeting for worship
13 December 2011: Three fines, a 48-hour jail term, and a deportation
8 December 2011: Authorities try to stop children attending meetings for worship
7 December 2011: "The first phase of this work has been fully completed"
5 December 2011: Illegal prosecutions and punishments
2 December 2011: "This isn't about freedom of conscience or censorship"
30 November 2011: The new Constitution drafting process and freedom of religion or belief
29 November 2011: "The state doesn't interfere in religious communities' internal affairs"?
24 November 2011: New draft regulations outline official religious censorship
24 November 2011: "Inform on a daily basis between 2 pm and 4 pm"
23 November 2011: Not banned, merely "recommends refraining from inviting"
15 November 2011: "Those who initiated and adopted such laws will answer before Allah"
11 November 2011: Prison mosques, churches, and prayer rooms closed down
7 November 2011: New haj pilgrimage, same old restrictions
2 November 2011: Did authorities block Russian Patriarch's visit?
1 November 2011: Up to five years' imprisonment for uncensored religious literature?
28 October 2011: Fined for meeting for worship
27 October 2011: "8 or 9 out of every 10 confiscated religious books are Muslim"
24 October 2011: Raids on meetings for worship increasing?
21 October 2011: Application to join Venice Commission on day laws violating human rights commitments signed
19 October 2011: Laws enforced although not yet in force
18 October 2011: "It's not a crime if believers worship in my house"
14 October 2011: New sentences, raids, criminal cases
13 October 2011: President signs two laws restricting freedom of religion or belief
10 October 2011: "How can a believer light a match to destroy holy books?"
7 October 2011: Creeping implementation of Parental Responsibility Law?
6 October 2011: What does Turkey's Restitution Decree mean?
5 October 2011: "We are a free country"
29 September 2011: Two repressive new laws sent to President for signature
27 September 2011: "A new wave of persecution has begun once more"
23 September 2011: Parliamentary adoption of restrictive laws imminent?
22 September 2011: Maximum sentence for latest conscientious objector
21 September 2011: Two repressive laws heading through Parliament at "unprecedented" speed
20 September 2011: "To prepare the public for a discriminatory new law"
16 September 2011: "They are not real Imams"
12 September 2011: "Unfortunately the judge did not agree with the prosecutor"
9 September 2011: Religious fines lead to travel bans
6 September 2011: New proposed legal restrictions on religion reach Parliament
5 September 2011: You're not going on a summer holiday
2 September 2011: New Religion Law to "bring order to our house"
1 September 2011: Expelled for preaching in own church
31 August 2011: "The fantasy of the special services"?
26 August 2011: More fines, physical abuse and religious literature destruction
25 August 2011: Victims to challenge "exorbitant" fines to Strasbourg?
23 August 2011: Changes in school religious education fail to resolve fundamental problems
16 August 2011: Ban on children in worship "once Ramadan is over"?
4 August 2011: "Inmates are afraid of exercising their religious freedom rights"
2 August 2011: "Spiritually rich and for freedom of conscience and religion" ?
28 July 2011: "One nation – one religion"?
27 July 2011: Warned for meeting without state permission, legal status applications still delayed
26 July 2011: Bayatyan – a European Court judgment with an impact far beyond Armenia
25 July 2011: Criminal cases against "unknown persons" lodged "to prevent lawyers 'meddling'"?
21 July 2011: "Religious activity is only banned up to the age of 18"
19 July 2011: "Extremism" prosecutions continue, but Supreme Court advises caution
14 July 2011: "A kind of theatrical farce - I see no progress"
12 July 2011: "It would have ended badly, for them and for us"
7 July 2011: European Court finds conscientious objector was wrongfully convicted and jailed – but what will government do?
5 July 2011: "Absurd" criminal charge for praying for the sick
4 July 2011: "Clergy access is something exceptional in pre-trial detention centres"
30 June 2011: 18-month prison term and heavy fine
29 June 2011: "One complex of measures against religious communities"
28 June 2011: "This is not the first time.."
27 June 2011: Can a new Constitution solve religious freedom problems?
24 June 2011: Jail terms overturned, but investigation continues
22 June 2011: Bans on children's religious activity, illegal meetings, and "extremist religious" teaching close?
21 June 2011: Muslim's appeal begins, Jehovah's Witness' second trial to begin
15 June 2011: Police beating, axe threat, beating threat
14 June 2011: Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief: Agendas for Change
13 June 2011: "I'm the permission and the warrant"
8 June 2011: Communities to be forced to begin re-registration again?
7 June 2011: Ahmadi Muslim mosque closed, Protestants fined 100 times minimum monthly wage
6 June 2011: "The latest devious move to control religious communities"
26 May 2011: Ban on religious education abroad without state permission to be adopted soon?
25 May 2011: Restrictive Parental Responsibility Law to be adopted soon?
23 May 2011: Seven year sentences despite "fabricated evidence" and "procedural violations"
19 May 2011: Priest's visit "inexpedient" / Fresh Criminal Code Article 193-1 threat
18 May 2011: Police "did well" in Sumgait raids
13 May 2011: Another Sunni mosque disappears, heavy fines feared
12 May 2011: April was the cruellest month
6 May 2011: "Great political efforts are made"
4 May 2011: The Diyanet – the elephant in Turkey's religious freedom room?
29 April 2011: Eleven religious prisoners of conscience in one camp
20 April 2011: "The main problem – the Law on Extremism – remains"
19 April 2011: Raids and confiscations as state wants "religious organisations which will stay quiet" ?
15 April 2011: Police assault Baptist, Imams fired, gift to Children's Home a "violation"
13 April 2011: More raids and trials, pressure on lawyers, defendant forced to resign from job?
12 April 2011: "Sword of Damocles" hangs over religious booksellers
8 April 2011: Riot police versus worshippers
7 April 2011: Gaining legal status "a torturous process"
5 April 2011: "True believers aren't concerned"
31 March 2011: Punishments for worship meetings re-start
30 March 2011: Authorities "have the right" to raid unregistered worship
24 March 2011: Will Duma approve "anti-Constitutional" religious literature restrictions?
22 March 2011: "Anti-terror" raid on old people's home
17 March 2011: Religious freedom survey, March 2011
15 March 2011: "Legal" restrictions on parents' and children's religious freedom
11 March 2011: Literature import controls lifted for Orthodox - but not for others
9 March 2011: "Principles of mercy, justice and humanism" fail to free religious prisoners of conscience
2 March 2011: The right to have places of worship – a trapped right
1 March 2011: European Court of Human Rights "obviously ignored"
28 February 2011: "All talk about the Constitution and democracy is hypocrisy"
24 February 2011: Pastor prosecuted after journalists refuse to leave church
23 February 2011: More short-term prisoners of conscience
22 February 2011: Continued defiance of UN and Council of Europe
21 February 2011: Why a fine with no notice of a trial?
18 February 2011: "No need to import Bibles"?
16 February 2011: Schoolboy prayer ban leads to two-day prison sentence
14 February 2011: Why can't derelict church be relocated for worship?
11 February 2011: 17 hearings already, more to come
9 February 2011: "It's our secret"
7 February 2011: The fundamental problem and how it might be solved
4 February 2011: "It is, in my opinion, religious persecution"
3 February 2011: Prisoner of conscience "released but not free"
28 January 2011: "I don't know how these people are going to pay the fines"
26 January 2011: "There is no discrimination" ?
25 January 2011: When is a mosque not a mosque?
24 January 2011: Pressure and punishments for worship without state permission increasing?
20 January 2011: "Why does the government keep pushing laws that get negative reviews?"
12 January 2011: Religious communities forced to pay for state human rights violations
11 January 2011: "Why should I ask the Government what books I can read?"
7 January 2011: "Massive" increased fines for exercising freedom of religion or belief
5 January 2011: Education should facilitate, not undermine, freedom of religion or belief
22 December 2010: "Ilmurad will pray and praise God at Christmas in the labour camp"
21 December 2010: Heavy sentences at further mass trial of Muslims
20 December 2010: Will government respond to OSCE call for Religion Law changes?
16 December 2010: "You don't need a licence to talk about chess or football, but you do about religion"
14 December 2010: Orthodox can get Catholic and Lutheran churches – but Catholics and Lutherans can't
10 December 2010: Harsher punishments for religious activity "a question of national security"?
8 December 2010: Growing concern over proposed legislative changes on religion
7 December 2010: 73 religious prisoners, but will proposed amendments help?
3 December 2010: Why should one small village have three mosques?
1 December 2010: City administration considered liquidation of religious community "necessary"
30 November 2010: First post-Soviet criminal trial of Jehovah's Witness "ludicrous"
26 November 2010: Scepticism that any new Administrative Code will end punishments for religious activity
25 November 2010: "It's not confiscation, it's temporary removal"
18 November 2010: Religious freedom survey, November 2010
15 November 2010: Authorities targeting IRP and Jehovah's Witness unregistered worship
11 November 2010: 'Forbidden Christ' and right to legally challenge warnings forbidden
10 November 2010: Bible school food fine, frozen church bank account
9 November 2010: Syriac Orthodox land - All people are equal, but some are less equal than others?
8 November 2010: "One thing shines through from this sordid tale.."
4 November 2010: Ethnic-based mosques "cannot be opened"
1 November 2010: "A religiously tolerant country"?
29 October 2010: Presenting Islam as "the true faith" = extremism?
26 October 2010: "Anti-terror" raid on Protestant worship, beatings, and fines
25 October 2010: Massive fine for having a film of Jesus' life
21 October 2010: "They didn't even allow him to kiss me"
19 October 2010: Why can't all Muslims make haj pilgrimage?
18 October 2010: Protestant pastor's trial set for 21 October
14 October 2010: "Mosques cannot be independent"
12 October 2010: Executed prisoner denied religious burial
8 October 2010: Time to end state recording of individuals' religious affiliation
4 October 2010: Amid new sentences, new law fails to introduce alternative civilian service
1 October 2010: Government "trying to force all foreign religious believers out of the country"?
30 September 2010: Ruling party's "ideological preparation" for harsh new Religion Law?
24 September 2010: "Women can't study there"
23 September 2010: Three years in labour camp "not a severe punishment"
22 September 2010: Will Russia extradite reader of Muslim theologian to Uzbekistan?
16 September 2010: "I was only obeying orders"
15 September 2010: Nine month jail term for conscientious objector
10 September 2010: Appeal for imprisoned pastor
8 September 2010: Proposed new Administrative Code to be reworked, existing penalties remain
7 September 2010: Congresses disrupted, website blocked
3 September 2010: Officials choose Ramadan to impose controls
2 September 2010: "Your children will become extremists and terrorists"
1 September 2010: No re-registration, no building – no worship
30 August 2010: Five years' imprisonment for arrested Protestant pastor?
26 August 2010: First criminal charges against Jehovah's Witnesses, Nursi reader sentenced
18 August 2010: "The Court decided so"
12 August 2010: "A plan of organisational and operational search measures"
11 August 2010: Why state interference in the election of Chief Rabbi, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Patriarchs?
5 August 2010: "We are bandits"
4 August 2010: Jehovah's Witness war veteran prosecuted for extremism
3 August 2010: "The Constitution is only a scrap of paper for the Turkmen authorities"
2 August 2010: Baptist and Jehovah's Witness worship services raided
30 July 2010: "Appropriate permission is needed"
29 July 2010: Another massive fine, right to worship on own property denied
27 July 2010: Traffic Police start searches for religious literature
26 July 2010: Outdoor activity harassed, banned and violently attacked
19 July 2010: RUSSIA: Art curators' verdict not isolated instance – this is a system
14 July 2010: Two further short-term jailings, while raids and fines continue
12 July 2010: Will Jehovah's Witness and Armenian-rite Catholic court victories be respected?
8 July 2010: More Muslims jailed, what chance of appeals by Muslim and Christian prisoners of conscience?
7 July 2010: Pre-trial detentions of Muslim and Jehovah's Witnesses
1 July 2010: One year in prison for refusing military oath
29 June 2010: Will proposed new Alternative Service Law respect conscientious objections?
28 June 2010: Contradictory court rulings for conscientious objectors
24 June 2010: Parliament to go against international human rights commitments?
23 June 2010: Is unregistered religious activity extremism, separatism or terrorism?
18 June 2010: Textbook "propagandises intolerance, so it should be banned for use in schools"
15 June 2010: Samarkand – city of closed Protestant churches
7 June 2010: Ghostlike existence for Dagestan's Protestants
4 June 2010: Muslims jailed, lawyers, church and Christian former prisoners of conscience threatened
3 June 2010: Dagestan's religious freedom policy changing?
2 June 2010: Dagestan's controls on Islamic education
1 June 2010: "I'm depoliticised"
27 May 2010: Another mosque threatened, two others reprieved – for now?
26 May 2010: Dagestan's controls on Islamic literature
25 May 2010: Dagestan's Sufi monopoly
24 May 2010: Jailed conscientious objectors punished again
20 May 2010: Nakhichevan - "No trial – they were just held"
19 May 2010: Jail terms and massive fines – but for what crimes?
18 May 2010: 15-day jail terms, large fines, literature destruction follow raid
17 May 2010: Large raid and almost immediate trial starts against registered church
11 May 2010: "Unpleasantness with the law" for worshipping?
10 May 2010: Roadblocks around trial, more Nursi readers arrested
7 May 2010: Will appeals to re-open mosques succeed?
5 May 2010: Does Dagestan need its anti-Wahhabi law?
4 May 2010: Muslim community leader kidnapped by Dagestan authorities?
29 April 2010: Three short-term jail sentences for prisoners of conscience
27 April 2010: "We are getting ready for war and we need our nation to be united"
26 April 2010: Muslims jailed long-term, short-term Christian jailings re-start
23 April 2010: Raids, fines, more raids, more fines
22 April 2010: What criminal trials do and don't reveal
21 April 2010: Feeding homeless people is "not according to charter"
16 April 2010: "Restore religious freedom at least to the level we had before Bakiev"
15 April 2010: Officials insist unregistered activity "illegal"
9 April 2010: Administrative Code changes, but fines continue
7 April 2010: Official denies "unprofessional work" over re-registration denials and delays
1 April 2010: Criminal records for religious activity
31 March 2010: "Struggle against religious extremism must be carried out on all fronts"
25 March 2010: Who initiated anti-Jehovah's Witness and anti-Nursi campaigns?
23 March 2010: Lutheran extremists?
22 March 2010: Raids, literature confiscations and criminal case in Tambov
17 March 2010: Conscientious objection a test of Turkish religious freedom
16 March 2010: Internet censorship continues
15 March 2010: Baptists fined 100 times minimum monthly salary
12 March 2010: "Distributing religious literature without state permission"
11 March 2010: Ten year sentence for "honest Christian"
9 March 2010: Muslims and Jehovah's Witness tried, praying prisoner "committed suicide"
5 March 2010: Illegal religious literature seizures
4 March 2010: Criminal charges against readers of religious literature
26 February 2010: Back to the future for Jehovah's Witnesses?
25 February 2010: Raids, fines, detentions, and another birth certificate denial
24 February 2010: Threats, raids and violence against religious believers
23 February 2010: Three more readers of Muslim theologian detained
22 February 2010: Baptists forced to pay massive fines, "taxes" and removed from posts
17 February 2010: Sports journalist arrested for religious activity
16 February 2010: Two more foreigners deported for religious activity
12 February 2010: Work not even begun on new Religion Law
10 February 2010: Government proposes retaining punishments for exercising religious freedom
9 February 2010: Drugs planted and worshippers beaten up?
8 February 2010: Women's prayers lead to massive fine – and more?
3 February 2010: Sentences on conscientious objectors a "state secret"?
2 February 2010: Exit bans, haj ban, visa denials part of state religious isolation policy
1 February 2010: Conscientious objector jailed
1 February 2010: Worship without state registration "illegal"
28 January 2010: Muslims raided, more Jehovah's Witness literature banned
27 January 2010: Crackdown on devout Muslims continues
26 January 2010: Raids "as if we are terrorists" on Muslims
21 January 2010: Nakhichevan authorities crack down on Ashura commemorations
18 January 2010: Alternative Service Law withdrawn as prisoner awaits trial
15 January 2010: Supreme Court ban on Jehovah's Witnesses begins to bite
14 January 2010: Illegal Christmas as unregistered religious activity punished
6 January 2010: "We don't have such persecution here. We're absolutely democratic"
5 January 2010: Two Catholic parish priests banned from religious activity
23 December 2009: "There is no persecution in Kazakhstan"
22 December 2009: "The authorities are already preparing to destroy the mosque"
21 December 2009: Restrictions imposed as registration deadline approaches
17 December 2009: Religious freedom survey, December 2009
15 December 2009: Jehovah's Witness claims police beating, interrogation and strip-search
10 December 2009: More than half of religious communities to be "illegal"?
8 December 2009: 34 Jehovah's Witness publications and one congregation banned
7 December 2009: State close to removing Baptist leadership
7 December 2009: What do Maldivians understand freedom of religion or belief to be?
3 December 2009: Officials deny Alternative Service commitment, as victim challenges sentence
2 December 2009: Court bans Baptist church
1 December 2009: "I could now be deported at any time"
27 November 2009: Religious freedom survey, November 2009
23 November 2009: Proposed missionary restrictions - a paper tiger?
19 November 2009: The European Court of Human Rights - Out of step on conscientious objection
18 November 2009: Repression of Muslim and Christian religious activity continues
13 November 2009: Legal status applications almost impossible
11 November 2009: "We have Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims – all the others are sects"
6 November 2009: Why is new Religious Education Law being hurried?
5 November 2009: "They can meet and pray to God, but the Law says they have to register"
3 November 2009: "If they violate the law by meeting together for religious purposes, they will be fined"
30 October 2009: "To prevent them from continuing their worship service"
29 October 2009: Fined 260 times monthly minimum wage each – and banned from leading religious communities?
27 October 2009: No progress on religious property in 2009
26 October 2009: "This is not persecution on religious grounds – the law demands this"
23 October 2009: Jehovah's Witnesses to be banned?
22 October 2009: Hopes for 2009 disappointed
20 October 2009: Prosecutions of conscientious objectors resume
19 October 2009: "They were not doing wrong – it's just our law"
15 October 2009: Did investigator fabricate evidence against Baptists?
13 October 2009: State officials' dual role as clergy to suppress freedom of religion or belief
8 October 2009: Restrictive laws recycled
6 October 2009: Why do the authorities want to close a rehabilitation centre?
2 October 2009: "You have the law, we have orders"
1 October 2009: Police chief deports local-born Baptist – with no documentation
30 September 2009: Two more Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors imprisoned
29 September 2009: Officials who raid religious communities "merely fulfilling their duty"
28 September 2009: "It seems that reading the Bible together is now a criminal offence"
24 September 2009: "They can drink tea – that's not forbidden"
23 September 2009: Religious freedom survey, September 2009
22 September 2009: Freedom of religion and belief commitments to the end of December 2015
18 September 2009: Mosque closed four days before Ramadan ends
17 September 2009: Muslim and Christian worship attacked
14 September 2009: "They believe talking about their faith is not a crime"
11 September 2009: Jehovah's Witnesses deported, Baptist next
10 September 2009: Baptist leader and colleagues face up to three years' imprisonment
7 September 2009: New Law to introduce sweeping controls on religious education?
31 August 2009: Sentenced "only for practising religion outside the framework" of state-controlled Islam
31 August 2009: "The Administrative Code shouldn't punish the core practice of a faith"
27 August 2009: "Such preaching is prohibited by our law"
26 August 2009: Four 15-day prison sentences for regular, registered worship service
25 August 2009: Fines on religious activity continue as pastors complain to president of restrictions
24 August 2009: Authorities prepare again to expel New Life church from its own building
21 August 2009: Property obstacles used to stop registrations
19 August 2009: What will new "Coordinating Council on the Struggle Against Religious Extremism" do?
13 August 2009: "Don't meet for worship"
7 August 2009: Official discrimination continues
4 August 2009: Registration a weapon against freedom of religion or belief
31 July 2009: Sir Walter Scott & Ivan Turgenev sent for "religious expert analysis"
28 July 2009: "Joy" children's holiday camp attacked
23 July 2009: Jehovah's Witness lawyers deported for defending extremism cases?
22 July 2009: "The government doesn't want to give up control over religion"
17 July 2009: Prisoners' freedom of religion or belief denied
16 July 2009: Raids continue as doubts grow over Nursi ban
16 July 2009: Church fined for activity "not according to its statute"
15 July 2009: Foreign pastor banned from preaching, church warned it may be closed
10 July 2009: Anti-terror police, prosecutor, justice department and courts target church
9 July 2009: Any school of Islam, as long as it's Hanafi
8 July 2009: Detained and tortured for faith, Tatar Muslims claim
7 July 2009: Banned from meeting fellow-believers
2 July 2009: Will critical review halt restrictive Religion Law?
30 June 2009: Parliament approves latest Religion Law changes
26 June 2009: "Why shouldn't we bring order to this?"
25 June 2009: Muslim opposition to new Religion Law changes
24 June 2009: Places of worship confiscated with little compensation
23 June 2009: Almost no religious freedom for migrant workers
19 June 2009: Religion Law's worst impact is on Muslims
18 June 2009: Further repressive Religion Law changes target Muslims
16 June 2009: Government repeatedly acts against ECtHR judgements
12 June 2009: Muslims and Protestants are the latest official targets
11 June 2009: Religious freedom survey, June 2009
11 June 2009: Largest fine yet for unregistered religious activity
9 June 2009: Five days jail for unregistered worship
9 June 2009: Controversial new penalties for religious activity
8 June 2009: Enormous fines for religious activity continue
4 June 2009: Appeals by prisoners of conscience rejected
3 June 2009: Repressive new Religion Law and new punishments enter into force
2 June 2009: Conscientious objectors jailed
2 June 2009: Widespread protests at new "Inquisition"
28 May 2009: Crackdown follows new Religion Law
27 May 2009: Will restrictive provisions of new Religion Law be removed?
27 May 2009: Notorious "anti-cultists" on new "Inquisition"
26 May 2009: A new "Inquisition"
20 May 2009: Bible and Mel Gibson film banned in Karakalpakstan
15 May 2009: Why are around 93 Muslims being detained?
14 May 2009: Will Presidential Administration explain why it thinks amendments needed?
14 May 2009: Religion Law amendments contradict themselves
12 May 2009: "I want to know if I can import religious books"
11 May 2009: Old "offences" still used to punish current religious activity
8 May 2009: Will Religion Law be revised or not?
6 May 2009: Will revised Religion Law ban unregistered worship?
4 May 2009: "They can continue to pray, but not meet together for worship"
29 April 2009: More severe jail sentences for Muslim prisoners of conscience
28 April 2009: The battle with "religious extremism" - a return to past methods?
27 April 2009: How the battle with "religious extremism" began
24 April 2009: New trial, long prison terms, heavy fines and deportation
20 April 2009: Conscientious objector convicted as criminal
16 April 2009: What is the "Plan to Prevent the Spread of Religious Extremism"?
15 April 2009: 15-day jail term for teaching Baptist beliefs
8 April 2009: "Religious movements are trying to destabilise Uzbekistan"
7 April 2009: "We'll kick out anyone"
6 April 2009: Prisoners of conscience still held for their faith
3 April 2009: Latest religious property eviction, Religion Law enters force
2 April 2009: "We just need to make sure what they teach in their homes"
1 April 2009: "We have long been after you and now we've caught you!"
31 March 2009: Cleric takes part in police raid on religious community
30 March 2009: Ideology official targets rehabilitation programme
26 March 2009: President signs repressive Religion Law
26 March 2009: "Your reasoning does not correspond with reality"
24 March 2009: A "serious setback to the development of a modern, progressive and liberal Armenia"
19 March 2009: Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre closed down
18 March 2009: Four Protestants jailed, three more detained in homelessness centre
17 March 2009: "This is not the end of the attempt to adopt such a law"
16 March 2009: "Your dead will not be buried"
13 March 2009: Nationwide strike at Jehovah's Witnesses
12 March 2009: "This Law will worsen the situation with religious liberties"
10 March 2009: Can authorities "separate the simple study of one's religion from extremist activity"?
6 March 2009: How many religious believers barred from travelling?
2 March 2009: Who should historical religious property belong to?
27 February 2009: "You call white black and black white"
26 February 2009: Governor orders church land grab
26 February 2009: Religious freedom survey, February 2009
24 February 2009: Literature censorship for export also?
20 February 2009: Who can gain legal status?
18 February 2009: Reform excludes freedom of religion or belief
17 February 2009: Muslims and Christians latest victims of religious literature crackdown
12 February 2009: "The current Religion Law is also unconstitutional"
12 February 2009: Pastor convicted not jailed, insists charges fabricated
11 February 2009: Danes deported for praying in church
10 February 2009: Unregistered Hare Krishna devotees and Protestants raided
9 February 2009: Two years' imprisonment for organising sharing of faith?
5 February 2009: Media intolerance "has one source: the KNB secret police"
4 February 2009: OSCE Legal Opinion seriously criticises draft Law
3 February 2009: "This is a highly dangerous precedent"
30 January 2009: The court hearing which never was?
29 January 2009: Government still keeps Mosque, Baptist church, and Georgian Orthodox churches closed
28 January 2009: Unregistered worship "illegal" - but under what law?
26 January 2009: Charismatic church's fight pushed back to square one
23 January 2009: Islamic school of thought banned
20 January 2009: "No rights to organise prayers"
16 January 2009: Banned "extremist" religious literature – who's next?
13 January 2009: President's signing of restrictive Religion Law condemned
12 January 2009: Children and parents threatened for attending places of worship
9 January 2009: Repressive actions continue, repressive law sent for review
7 January 2009: "The views of the parishioners are nothing to us"
5 January 2009: Repressive new Religion Law signed
23 December 2008: Four Catholic priests and three nuns banned
22 December 2008: Government attacks human rights defenders for criticising draft Law
19 December 2008: "We will wait until after the New Year, and then seize his property"
18 December 2008: Chill begins to bite for Moscow Pentecostals
18 December 2008: Who can and cannot conduct religious education?
17 December 2008: Restrictive President-backed Religion Law reaches Parliament
12 December 2008: Secret police raid, film and investigate believers
11 December 2008: Imprisonment of some 80 conscientious objectors "not a human rights issue"
9 December 2008: Why weren't violent church attackers convicted?
5 December 2008: State still stops Muslims making haj pilgrimage
4 December 2008: "The Law is like rubber"
3 December 2008: Violent attacks continuing, but mainly declining
28 November 2008: "Soon there won't be a single Baptist church in Lipetsk!"
26 November 2008: Restrictive amendments on religion go to President
25 November 2008: Fines, beatings, threats of rape and psychiatric incarceration
21 November 2008: Police "Struggle against Extremism, Separatism and Terrorism" - and restaurant meals
19 November 2008: Why can't believers freely enter, leave or remain in the country?
18 November 2008: New Law still in parliament and harshened
13 November 2008: New excuses for mosque closure, new raid on Jehovah's Witnesses
12 November 2008: 56 major religious organisations to be shut down?
6 November 2008: Restrictive Religion Law passes Parliament unanimously
6 November 2008: Pastor awaits trial hearing under house arrest
5 November 2008: Restrictive Law due for final parliamentary vote on Thursday
3 November 2008: Authorities "dragging out" Baptist pastor's trial and Baku mosque case
29 October 2008: "They want to imprison the leader and see the community fall apart"
28 October 2008: Community punishment, denial of registration and temple under threat
24 October 2008: Police search publisher of controversially banned Islamic book
23 October 2008: Seven Protestants in self-financed detention, imam sentenced
22 October 2008: Why was Protestant bishop deported?
21 October 2008: Turkish nationalism, Ergenekon, and denial of religious freedom
17 October 2008: State still deprives Muslims of mosque and Baptists of pastor
16 October 2008: Secrecy surrounds Religion Law before final parliamentary reading
15 October 2008: Religious freedom survey, October 2008
14 October 2008: New punishments for unapproved religious activity in controversial draft Law
10 October 2008: "Only the President can stop the demolition"
8 October 2008: Four religious communities reject government claims to OSCE
6 October 2008: Months in prison for leading unregistered worship?
3 October 2008: How simple is it to gain legal status?
2 October 2008: Restrictive proposed new Religion Law to parliament this month
1 October 2008: Religious freedom survey, October 2008
30 September 2008: Imams arrested and Protestant freed
29 September 2008: What restrictive legal changes will pass Senate "within days"?
25 September 2008: Christian music festival banned
24 September 2008: Religious freedom survey, September 2008
22 September 2008: Criminal trial for teaching religion to restart?
22 September 2008: Unregistered Baptists pressured
19 September 2008: Baptist prisoner of conscience and Muslim still jailed
18 September 2008: Muslims banned from praying outside mosques, Raids on Jehovah's Witnesses continue
18 September 2008: Orthodox complain of KGB intimidation at village funeral
11 September 2008: "Economic war" against believers continues
10 September 2008: Were religious organisations wrongly de-registered?
9 September 2008: Mass raids, fines and bans in South Kazakhstan Region
4 September 2008: "Of course" authorities won't defend Georgian monks and nuns
2 September 2008: Did Kabardino-Balkaria authorities stoke Islamist threat?
1 September 2008: Confiscation and destruction of religious property "with undue cause"?
28 August 2008: Did Kabardino-Balkaria authorities turn peaceful Muslims into terrorists?
27 August 2008: Threats and deportation "to stop us talking about God"
26 August 2008: Religious dispute fuels state oppression of Kabardino-Balkaria Muslims
22 August 2008: Kabardino-Balkaria Muslims still afraid
21 August 2008: Attacks, including violence, against religious minorities continue
21 August 2008: One Muslim's blighted life in Kabardino-Balkaria
20 August 2008: Nationwide religious property seizures continue
20 August 2008: Kabardino-Balkaria mosque-goers blacklisted as extremist
19 August 2008: State persecution wrecked religious life, Kabardino-Balkaria Muslims claim
18 August 2008: Detained and tortured for faith, Kabardino-Balkaria Muslims claim
14 August 2008: Religious freedom survey, August 2008
8 August 2008: Legal status denials and unregistered activity fines continue
6 August 2008: The State Committee doesn't censor – it "merely checks" and bans literature
5 August 2008: Religious freedom survey, August 2008
31 July 2008: Will the state respect everyone's right to conscientious objection?
30 July 2008: Baptist pastor still in jail, prosecution given second chance
29 July 2008: Prisoner of conscience numbers increase
25 July 2008: Baptism banned, a fine and a threat for leading worship
23 July 2008: "Prosecutors very much want to sentence Hamid"
22 July 2008: Is mass disruption to Jehovah's Witness congresses coordinated?
17 July 2008: What evidence that banned Islamic books are extremist?
14 July 2008: Jehovah's Witness tracts feared harmful in asbestos town
14 July 2008: Fifteen year sentence for reading "prohibited" Christian literature?
11 July 2008: No "need" for Bibles?
10 July 2008: Where can the dead be buried?
7 July 2008: Imminent trial for Baptist pastor, final appeal for imprisoned Muslim
3 July 2008: "They are trying to close down our church with any excuse"
1 July 2008: "People have a right to know"
30 June 2008: "No new Religion Law," official states
30 June 2008: Reprieve for Methodist Sunday school – but for who else?
27 June 2008: Protestant in detention facing criminal charges, Baptists jailed for 10 days
25 June 2008: Government's Synagogue demolition ends Jewish worship, Protestant church next?
25 June 2008: Protestants reject government's religious hatred encouragement
23 June 2008: Highest fine yet for Baptists
21 June 2008: Shock at second Baptist pastor arrest
20 June 2008: Confidential files, "illegal" worship and expulsion
18 June 2008: Second raid this month on Jehovah's Witnesses
13 June 2008: "The government is trying to stir up Muslims against Christians"
12 June 2008: "Wasn't one prison term enough?"
10 June 2008: Restrictive draft Religion Law to reach full parliament tomorrow
9 June 2008: Beatings, rape threats and pressure to renounce faith
4 June 2008: "Even in Kazakhstan the Uzbek authorities will not let him live in peace"
2 June 2008: Mob, police and administration chief obstruct Christian boy's burial
30 May 2008: When is a raid not a raid?
29 May 2008: Are Turkish teachers, traditional pagans and Jehovah's Witnesses religious extremists?
29 May 2008: Raids, fines, literature confiscations, and police bullying of children
28 May 2008: Jailed Muslim teacher "completely innocent"
23 May 2008: More state media incitement of intolerance
22 May 2008: When is a "temporary" ban permanent?
22 May 2008: "We are reclaiming our history as a land of religious freedom"
15 May 2008: Last days for country's only synagogue?
14 May 2008: Conscientious objector prisoner freed
13 May 2008: Why can't all religious communities have places of worship?
12 May 2008: KGB pressure Orthodox not to venerate Soviet-era martyrs
8 May 2008: Still banned from worshipping in church
6 May 2008: "A Law on Non-Freedom of Conscience"
1 May 2008: Last Passover in Tashkent for Chief Rabbi?
30 April 2008: Alarm at state-backed planned new Religion Law
29 April 2008: Is a four-year sentence for religious activity too harsh?
29 April 2008: Official justifies rejection of religious freedom petition
25 April 2008: Growing threats to religious property
24 April 2008: Visa changes leave religious communities in uncertainty
23 April 2008: Only Georgian Orthodox priest expelled
23 April 2008: "Higher authorities" behind prosecutions of religious communities
18 April 2008: "It is our duty to check up on religious organisations"
15 April 2008: One year after Malatya murders, time to address the causes
14 April 2008: Baroque monastery to be luxury hotel - or returned to Catholics?
11 April 2008: Chief Rabbi faces expulsion
10 April 2008: Asking about religious freedom violations is "stupid"
9 April 2008: Eight years' imprisonment for "illegal" religious activity?
8 April 2008: Heavy sentences on Muslims "to discredit Islam and believers"?
2 April 2008: Religious freedom petition rejected as pressure on Protestants continues
31 March 2008: New Law fails to solve building problems
31 March 2008: New Religion Law perpetuates discrimination
28 March 2008: Large fines as official tells Baptists not to appeal to UN or OSCE
27 March 2008: Jailed religious conscientious objector must undergo "re-education"
26 March 2008: Methodist church dissolved for having Sunday school
20 March 2008: Political prisoners denied religious freedom
19 March 2008: Baptist pastor freed, second religious prisoner of conscience still jailed
17 March 2008: Physical assaults by police on Jehovah's Witnesses
13 March 2008: What difference does the latest Foundations Law make?
12 March 2008: Punishments and church closure
10 March 2008: Methodist church dissolved for minor bureaucratic slip
5 March 2008: Religious freedom petition delivered, but Protestant fines continue
4 March 2008: Repressive Decree withdrawn, but work on new Religion Law speeded up
28 February 2008: State investigates Methodists at Orthodox bishop's request
26 February 2008: Religious freedom survey, February 2008
25 February 2008: Are intrusive questionnaires "a simple formality"?
25 February 2008: Increased pressure to complete intrusive questionnaires
22 February 2008: New wave of raids on Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses
20 February 2008: New controls on foreign religious workers
15 February 2008: Revival of state hostility to religious organisations fuels intrusive check-ups?
14 February 2008: What needs to change, the Religion Law or government actions?
14 February 2008: Charismatics targeted as would-be Orange Revolutionaries?
12 February 2008: Bureaucratic obstacles bar religious volunteers
8 February 2008: Renewed pressure on Baptists
7 February 2008: Renewed pressure on charismatics
7 February 2008: Why won't the authorities stop religious violence?
6 February 2008: Raid and beatings for "illegal" religious meeting – but police deny it
5 February 2008: How threatening are President Nazarbayev's comments?
1 February 2008: Islamic book promoting tolerance banned
31 January 2008: Will new Presidential Decree ban small religious communities?
30 January 2008: Secret police operation to close down entire denomination?
29 January 2008: President attacks freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Brussels and Moscow
28 January 2008: Were check-ups aimed at congregations or migrants?
22 January 2008: "People should not be jailed solely for their religious or conscientious behaviour"
21 January 2008: Old Believers use new media to demand religious freedom
18 January 2008: Fresh eviction threat and more media intolerance incitement
18 January 2008: Legal status possible "in 450-500 years"?
16 January 2008: Four religious minority members still serving criminal sentences
11 January 2008: "I don't write the laws, I just implement them"
10 January 2008: Another conscientious objector sentenced, another police raid
9 January 2008: Death threats and massive fines follow registration application
4 January 2008: Christmas expulsions of four Romanian Orthodox priests
20 December 2007: President initiates order to halt Pentecostal church's public worship
20 December 2007: Pastor threatened with jail for allowing children in church
19 December 2007: Haj pilgrims still strictly controlled and restricted
17 December 2007: "To pray to God they must have a registered place of worship"
14 December 2007: Haj pilgrimage promises still not honoured
13 December 2007: Fresh raids on moderate Turkish Muslim theologian readers
12 December 2007: "Ridiculous excuses" for denying legal status
10 December 2007: "If you meet again you'll be imprisoned," Adventists told
7 December 2007: Parish to "lose nothing" when veteran priest expelled?
4 December 2007: Baptist forced to leave homeland, mullah still held in psychiatric hospital?
3 December 2007: Building places of worship in Moscow still a struggle
30 November 2007: Two years' correctional labour for unregistered religious activity
29 November 2007: Will Moscow mayor help Molokans?
29 November 2007: What causes intolerance and violence?
27 November 2007: Why is a new Religion Law needed?
22 November 2007: Fined for harvest festival service in private yard
21 November 2007: "Prayer without state registration violates the Religion Law"
16 November 2007: Police threaten second pastor with jail
15 November 2007: Pentecostal and Muslim organisations dissolved
13 November 2007: Religious materials routinely confiscated at border
12 November 2007: Criminal trial tomorrow for Baptist leader
9 November 2007: Why were the activities of three religious organisations stopped?
8 November 2007: Baptist freed, Jehovah's Witness threatened with new sentence
5 November 2007: Even harsher Religion Law planned?
2 November 2007: State and former user fight over Hare Krishna farm
31 October 2007: Restrictive draft Religion Law proposed
30 October 2007: Threats to demolish churches and mosques continue
24 October 2007: Severe literature censorship continues
23 October 2007: Orthodox parish forced out of hospital church
19 October 2007: Did government order Orthodox diocese to split?
18 October 2007: Jehovah's Witnesses banned
17 October 2007: Car returned but not Christian magazines
12 October 2007: Police still hunt "wanted" Protestant
11 October 2007: Charismatic pastor warned for "illegal" worship
10 October 2007: Authorities demolish mosques, synagogue and churches under threat
9 October 2007: Four prisoners amnestied, one to be deported?
9 October 2007: Violence continues against religious communities
4 October 2007: Police deny knifepoint threat to Protestant
3 October 2007: Baptists "stunned" as court confirms Pastor's jail sentence
1 October 2007: How serious is official call to phase out foreign clergy?
28 September 2007: "The secret police's persecution by proxy"
27 September 2007: Top official says "no change" to harsh Religion Law
26 September 2007: 82 religious prisoners of conscience is new record
25 September 2007: Compulsory Orthodox lessons to continue, Belgorod official insists
25 September 2007: Patchy local provision of Orthodox culture classes
24 September 2007: Putin sounds final bell for Orthodox culture classes?
20 September 2007: No sermons, children or cars at Ramadan night prayers
17 September 2007: "Legal" repression of Protestants and Muslims continues
14 September 2007: Baptist fined for church family holiday
13 September 2007: Fifth Jehovah's Witness sentenced in three months
12 September 2007: Treason charges against Grace Church leaders?
6 September 2007: Imprisoned pastor's lawyer "optimistic" over appeal
5 September 2007: Spies and videotape
31 August 2007: Fifth conscientious objector to be prosecuted?
30 August 2007: Tashkent church to lose its building – and its legal status?
28 August 2007: Why was church subjected to 15-hour raid?
24 August 2007: Five years' imprisonment for hosting worship services?
21 August 2007: Entire community to be banned?
15 August 2007: Jehovah's Witness jailed, Baptist family threatened with deportation
14 August 2007: Arbitrary legal status denials continue
13 August 2007: Former Chief Mufti released, Baptist prisoner of conscience still in jail
9 August 2007: Two-year prison term for Baptist pastor
8 August 2007: Islamic extremists, real and imagined
6 August 2007: Will new Religion Law end arbitrary legal status denials?
3 August 2007: Religion Law again with President, but concerns remain
1 August 2007: European Court victory for Evangelical pastor
26 July 2007: Further sentences for religious conscientious objection feared
23 July 2007: Home confiscations to follow massive fines
20 July 2007: Jailing for religious conscientious objection starts again
20 July 2007: Old "offences" used to punish current religious activity
18 July 2007: Another Baptist deported to Russia
17 July 2007: Ideology official attempts to disband church camp
16 July 2007: 20 July trial of Pastor who led "illegal meetings"
12 July 2007: Did "thin" Pastor beat up five "strong" policemen?
11 July 2007: Officials deny harassing Muslim women's study group
11 July 2007: Tatar Muslim women fear purge following Said Nursi ban
10 July 2007: Dangerous consequences of intolerance of religious minorities
5 July 2007: Religious freedom campaigners detained
4 July 2007: Two Protestants receive ten-day prison terms
4 July 2007: Conscientious objectors detained for trial
3 July 2007: Baptist prisoner of conscience moved, another Baptist still held, a third Protestant still denied family reunification
2 July 2007: "Antidemocratic" draft Religion Law
2 July 2007: Draft Religion Law causes "deep anxiety"
28 June 2007: What chance for religious freedom in Turkey's elections?
27 June 2007: Pentecostal and Jehovah's Witness prisoners of conscience face harsh labour camp conditions
27 June 2007: Said Nursi ban brands moderate Muslims as extremist
26 June 2007: Crackdown on Protestants continues
22 June 2007: Baptist pastor still held on false charges
21 June 2007: Will fashion for Confucius retard religious freedom?
20 June 2007: Jehovah's Witness latest victim of "illegal" religious teaching charges
19 June 2007: Church closes because of official pressure
15 June 2007: More homes at Hare Krishna commune destroyed
13 June 2007: Jehovah's Witness beaten, tried and sentenced to labour camp
12 June 2007: Imprisoned pastor transferred to harsher camp
7 June 2007: "Oasis of religious accord" hands heavy fines to Jehovah's Witnesses
6 June 2007: KGB raid Moscow Patriarchate fellowship group
6 June 2007: "Tolerance" in Bucharest, Krishna temple ordered demolished in Almaty
5 June 2007: Three days' prison for Pentecostal pastor
4 June 2007: Arrested Baptist pastor to face three years in prison?
30 May 2007: Second deportation order and fine for Polish Pentecostal
30 May 2007: Protestants still barred from rebuilding premises
29 May 2007: Rented property still barred to Protestants
28 May 2007: Pentecostals raided at Pentecost
25 May 2007: "It seems the bad times are coming back"
24 May 2007: "We have our own norms"
22 May 2007: Baptist Pastor arrested / Another Protestant child denied birth certificate
22 May 2007: Second Baptist arrested in Turkmenbashi crackdown
21 May 2007: Government issues orders to religious communities
17 May 2007: Foreign Protestants expelled for "harming national security"
16 May 2007: Christians campaign to change harsh Religion Law
16 May 2007: Controversial Religion Law suddenly rushed through Parliament
14 May 2007: Baptist prisoner of conscience jailed for three years
11 May 2007: "Economic war" to crush Baptists?
10 May 2007: Protestant sentenced for "violating the procedure for teaching religion"
4 May 2007: Hare Krishna demolitions held off – for now
3 May 2007: Hare Krishna commune demolition to restart on Friday?
3 May 2007: Was imprisoned pastor forced to renounce appeal?
2 May 2007: 72 religious prisoners of conscience is new record
26 April 2007: Government still arbitrarily denying communities legal status
26 April 2007: Religious freedom survey, April 2007
23 April 2007: May trial for imprisoned Baptist leader?
20 April 2007: Protestants face prosecution, fines, raids, kidnapping and death threats
17 April 2007: Religious communities' new NGO Law reporting requirements
17 April 2007: Religious organisations' NGO Law financial accounting simplified
12 April 2007: China's Catholics, the Holy See and religious freedom
10 April 2007: Russian religious news website blocked
4 April 2007: Are Sakha Protestants' concerns "baseless and contrived"?
3 April 2007: Officially-inspired intolerance of religious freedom steps up
29 March 2007: Deportee faces criminal trial for "illegal" return
29 March 2007: Will Moscow Salvation Army's rights be restored?
27 March 2007: Pastor's verdict documents extensive state controls
23 March 2007: Pastor's re-education "impossible without isolation from society"
20 March 2007: Stalled Hare Krishna demolitions to take place "in five days"
20 March 2007: Hare Krishna demolition re-started – then halted by "person in a black Mercedes"
15 March 2007: "Absurd" property regulations extend to Catholics and Orthodox
13 March 2007: Three-day prison term for leading unregistered church
12 March 2007: When will legal foot-dragging end for charismatic church?
12 March 2007: Very slow official implementation of Restitution Law
9 March 2007: Internal exile for Protestant pastor
9 March 2007: Officials call for police to close embattled Baptist church
8 March 2007: Why does the government violate religious freedom?
8 March 2007: Government fined again by ECtHR for legal status denial
1 March 2007: Stalling tactics used to delay granting legal status?
28 February 2007: Imminent verdict for Protestant pastor
28 February 2007: Reports that US citizens deported for religious activity "a misunderstanding"
28 February 2007: "The fight against terrorism and religious groups without registration"
27 February 2007: Legal problems continue for Ahmadi Muslims and Alternative Orthodox
27 February 2007: Protestant Chaplaincy Association gains legal status
22 February 2007: Three Protestants await trial, but one freed
22 February 2007: Will Baptist prayer house closure threat be carried out?
21 February 2007: More planned restrictions on religious freedom
19 February 2007: Pentecostal teacher "forced to resign" after raid on house church
16 February 2007: Family concerned over imprisoned former Chief Mufti
16 February 2007: How many forced closures of religious communities?
15 February 2007: Government closes another Jehovah's Witness congregation
14 February 2007: Where is Kazakh visiting Pastor being held?
13 February 2007: "Religious Communists" and religious freedom
8 February 2007: Trial imminent for Andijan Pentecostal Pastor
8 February 2007: Will church and mosque demolition threats be carried out?
2 February 2007: Will draft new Religion Law end discrimination?
1 February 2007: Prosecutors refuse to say why Protestant pastor faces trial
31 January 2007: Do-it-yourself demolition for embattled Hare Krishna commune?
30 January 2007: President too busy with "important affairs" to meet Baptists
26 January 2007: New Religion Law to be passed in early February?
24 January 2007: Arbitrary legal status denials continue
18 January 2007: Religious freedom via Strasbourg, not Ankara or Brussels?
17 January 2007: Jehovah's Witnesses "very glad" about ECtHR victory
12 January 2007: Why were Catholic priests and nuns expelled?
9 January 2007: Biggest expulsion in eight years
3 January 2007: Controversial Law promulgated; legal challenges planned
27 December 2006: Raid on Jehovah's Witnesses deliberately timed?
22 December 2006: More Hare Krishna home demolitions planned?
21 December 2006: After Niyazov, what hope for religious freedom?
20 December 2006: Mixed state response to Catholic and Protestant protests
20 December 2006: Government attacks on Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims continue
19 December 2006: Government tries to deny religious freedom reality
19 December 2006: Prime-time state TV incites intolerance of religious minorities and religious freedom
15 December 2006: Controversial Religion Law's passing violated parliamentary processes
14 December 2006: Religious freedom survey, December 2006
12 December 2006: Sudden secretive rush to adopt controversial Religion Law
12 December 2006: Foreign Baptist forced out for "illegal" bible discussion
8 December 2006: New threat to de-register partially demolished Hare Krishna community
7 December 2006: State bars haj pilgrims from pilgrimage
5 December 2006: State-imposed religious monopolies deny China's religious reality
4 December 2006: Simultaneously legal and illegal religious communities
1 December 2006: "This has nothing to do with religion" religious affairs official screams
29 November 2006: Faith-based political opposition emerges
28 November 2006: Legal status to be denied to religious-based associations?
28 November 2006: Despite official denials, religious freedom violations continue
27 November 2006: Court fines Baptists and burns Bibles
24 November 2006: Will rest of Hare Krishna commune now be destroyed?
22 November 2006: Pope Benedict XVI's visit and religious freedom
22 November 2006: Ahmadis barred "because it is against the religions that people follow here"
21 November 2006: State bulldozes Hare Krishna commune, bids to chair OSCE
17 November 2006: "The situation could turn out badly for the Krishna followers"
15 November 2006: Expelled for "missionary activity without registration"
15 November 2006: How likely are missionary restrictions?
14 November 2006: Will NGO regulations restrict religious communities?
14 November 2006: Punished for preaching in mosques
10 November 2006: Little justice yet for victims
9 November 2006: No guarantees for religious conscientious objectors
3 November 2006: Court to review charismatic church's case
2 November 2006: Systematic repression of Muslims since Andijan
31 October 2006: Lutheran communities, real and imagined
26 October 2006: Believers pressured to withdraw registration signatures
25 October 2006: "Orchestrated reaction" against religious minorities' buildings
24 October 2006: Hare Krishna prisoner of conscience freed with restrictions
24 October 2006: More limits to religious freedom planned?
20 October 2006: Government to make U-turn on charismatic church?
19 October 2006: Will mob halt Assyrian Catholic centre?
18 October 2006: Foreign religious workers out?
16 October 2006: Sunday morning a favoured time for raids
12 October 2006: Will Salvation Army's European Court victory set a precedent?
11 October 2006: Sentenced for Wahhabism – or independence?
10 October 2006: Quantity of mercy constrained
6 October 2006: Charismatic church's "time has run out," official claims
3 October 2006: 12 Catholic priests and nuns face expulsion
3 October 2006: Reprieve for Catholic priest who celebrated unauthorised Mass
2 October 2006: More fines for Baptists
28 September 2006: Massive fine for "illegal" Baptisms
27 September 2006: Mob goes unpunished as intolerance of religious freedom rises
25 September 2006: Attacks continue on religious minorities
22 September 2006: "We are relying on God, not the courts"
20 September 2006: Religion law fails to tackle contentious legal status question
20 September 2006: "If they try to stop God one way, we'll try another"
18 September 2006: Uncertainty faces Baptist conscientious objector
11 September 2006: Would a religion law help promote religious freedom?
8 September 2006: How far does tolerance of religious minorities go?
6 September 2006: Protestants face guns, beatings, fines and deportation
5 September 2006: Then there was one
25 August 2006: Religious communities still face building problems
24 August 2006: Imam's killing seen as attack on independent Islam
23 August 2006: Xinjiang - Notices show religious activity restrictions
21 August 2006: Massive fines and jail proposed for sharing beliefs
17 August 2006: Police, officials and soldiers disrupt church family holiday
16 August 2006: The Economics of Religious Freedom
15 August 2006: Isolated Xinjiang religious minorities
15 August 2006: Xinjiang - Strict control of China's Uighur Muslims continues
14 August 2006: Religious minorities want religious freedom
14 August 2006: Why and how will Religion Law be amended?
10 August 2006: An Orthodox state?
9 August 2006: Religion Minister breaks his own law
8 August 2006: Anti-Protestant education policy persists
4 August 2006: Why are authorities summoning Orthodox priests?
3 August 2006: Government rejects UN criticism
2 August 2006: Intellectuals and religious freedom
1 August 2006: Is children's camp "normal" or "unsanitary"?
28 July 2006: Time running out for Minsk church
26 July 2006: Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector sentenced
26 July 2006: Little progress on religious freedom
20 July 2006: Crackdown continues against Muslims and Christians
18 July 2006: Religious intolerance in Central Asia
17 July 2006: Judge defends massive fines and jail sentence
17 July 2006: One Nation, one Orthodox Church?
14 July 2006: Crackdown on religious freedom continues
13 July 2006: To legally build a place of worship...
12 July 2006: New law to restrict religious freedom?
7 July 2006: Criminal trial resumes for Jehovah's Witness
6 July 2006: Religious books' tortuous route to the shelves
3 July 2006: Another Protestant faces criminal charges
29 June 2006: CENTRAL ASIA: Implementation the issue for OSCE – a survey
29 June 2006: Religious literature censorship tightened
23 June 2006: Another JW deportation, more pressure on Protestants and Muslims
20 June 2006: "Very real" threat of Protestant pastor's arrest
20 June 2006: Restitution Law passed
19 June 2006: Changes to draft Religion Law continue
16 June 2006: Property struggles of Protestants, Muslims and Hare Krishna devotees
14 June 2006: Religious activity leads to Baptist's deportation
13 June 2006: Religious activity in public life attacked
9 June 2006: Intrusive state registration and massive fine
8 June 2006: Council of Ulems – an instrument of state control
7 June 2006: Has controversial religion bill been postponed?
7 June 2006: Whose side are the police on?
2 June 2006: "International agreements are nothing to us"
1 June 2006: "Why register yet another group of believers?"
31 May 2006: Sharing faith in public – a fundamental right
31 May 2006: Official exit ban list confirmed
26 May 2006: "Divine freedom is given by God, but state freedom you have to pay for"
24 May 2006: Case against Minsk church stalled
24 May 2006: "What will registration give us?"
23 May 2006: Demolition of places of worship continues
23 May 2006: No changes to controversial Religion Law
19 May 2006: "We defend human rights"?
18 May 2006: Will southern Catholics win full rights to their churches?
18 May 2006: Sochi Muslims without Mosque, Catholics hope for Chapel
17 May 2006: Step forward for Salvation Army, backward for Pentecostals
15 May 2006: Devout Muslims or "Wahhabis"?
12 May 2006: Religious conscientious objector in jail
10 May 2006: One year on from Andijan
10 May 2006: Religious freedom survey, May 2006
9 May 2006: Are some more equal than others?
9 May 2006: Deported "for defending believers' rights"
5 May 2006: JW jailed, Protestants raided, children pressured to renounce Christianity
3 May 2006: Religious work visa respite?
2 May 2006: Can prisoners pray in labour camp?
28 April 2006: President signs controversial religion law
27 April 2006: Passover celebration banned for fear children might watch
26 April 2006: Farm confiscated, dachas to be bulldozed at Krishna commune
25 April 2006: "Uncanonical and diabolical schismatics shouldn't exist"
24 April 2006: Muslim human rights activist linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir?
21 April 2006: Religion law rushed through parliament
20 April 2006: Literary analyses key to Hizb ut-Tahrir convictions
19 April 2006: Only Hare Krishna commune in CIS to be confiscated
19 April 2006: Raids, detentions and rape threats on Jehovah's Witness' holy day
18 April 2006: "The state does not interfere in the activity of religious organisations"
18 April 2006: Muslims reject Hizb ut-Tahir membership charges
17 April 2006: Almost no one satisfied as religion bill reaches parliament
13 April 2006: Soviet-era Baptist prisoner again prosecuted
12 April 2006: Exiled imam denies links to arrested Tashkent Muslims
11 April 2006: Pressure against schoolgirls wearing hijabs
10 April 2006: Ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir not to be challenged?
10 April 2006: Division over Hizb ut-Tahrir
3 April 2006: Jailed Krishna devotee sent to labour camp
30 March 2006: Religious affairs chief defends repressive draft law
29 March 2006: Religious freedom non-existent, but much still unknown
29 March 2006: Massive fines for bishops charged as "impostors"?
27 March 2006: Religious freedom lawyer jailed
22 March 2006: Most repressive religion law in Central Asia drafted
22 March 2006: Will imprisoned Baptist face new sentence?
21 March 2006: Latest moves against Fergana Valley's Muslims
20 March 2006: Blocks to acquiring places of worship
17 March 2006: Religious freedom survey, March 2006
14 March 2006: Persecution continues throughout country
13 March 2006: Pastor freed from prison, but another to be jailed?
13 March 2006: Madrasa still closed; state registration to be compulsory?
10 March 2006: Mosque unable to invite back freed imam
8 March 2006: Despite new Regulations, religious policy still under strain
7 March 2006: New moves against Muslims in north
6 March 2006: Sentence reduction sees Serbian bishop freed
6 March 2006: Pastor imprisoned for leading home worship
3 March 2006: Why can't believers speak on social themes?
1 March 2006: Three-day Baptist detention while family awaits eviction
23 February 2006: Pressure mounts on two more Minsk Protestant churches
23 February 2006: Will new alternative service law end defiance of Council of Europe?
22 February 2006: Nearly 50 Jehovah's Witness and Molokan prisoners of conscience
22 February 2006: Demolition of country's only synagogue begins
20 February 2006: Official and unofficial challenges to Protestant property ownership
17 February 2006: Intolerance against Christians highlighted by murder
16 February 2006: Turkmenistan's fictitious religious freedom
15 February 2006: Controversial provisions in latest religion law draft
15 February 2006: Secrecy surrounds latest religion law's drafting
10 February 2006: Jailed Krishna devotee's appeal fails, but Jehovah's Witness freed
9 February 2006: A murder in Turkey, missionaries and Turkish-language books
8 February 2006: Muslim rivalry behind criminal charges?
2 February 2006: Assault arranged by authorities?
31 January 2006: Controversial religion bill goes to Chamber of Deputies
27 January 2006: Massive fine increases introduced
26 January 2006: Latest official harassment of Protestant students
25 January 2006: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan close doors to UN Special Rapporteur
19 January 2006: Official "religious hatred" towards non-Muslim faiths
19 January 2006: What are the roots of Turkey's attitude to religious freedom?
13 January 2006: Why were Catholic priests expelled?
11 January 2006: Senior Tashkent official denies "campaign" against religious believers
6 January 2006: Catholic priest expelled and pressure on Baptists mounts
6 January 2006: Baptists demand end to "persecution" of family
5 January 2006: Government severely restricts Haj numbers
22 December 2005: Year-end expulsions for two Catholic priests
21 December 2005: Is interrogation and banning activity just "we simply chatted to him as friends"?
20 December 2005: "People are being sentenced for their beliefs"
19 December 2005: JW held in psychiatric hospital and Baptists raided by Imam with officials
19 December 2005: Moscow Chief Rabbi returns, but expulsion explanations are contradictory
15 December 2005: President woos religious believers while worship restrictions continue
13 December 2005: Religious communities need fundamental reform of Constitution
12 December 2005: Why can't new non-Orthodox churches or mosques be built?
9 December 2005: Secret police ban church renting hall?
8 December 2005: Religious freedom survey, December 2005
7 December 2005: Minsk Charismatic Church loses property confiscation challenge
5 December 2005: Hare Krishna prisoner of conscience to be moved
1 December 2005: Mahalla and Mullah block Jehovah's Witness registration
30 November 2005: When can Moscow Chief Rabbi return?
25 November 2005: Religious minorities still second-class faiths?
24 November 2005: "Just silence" reply to UN deadline
23 November 2005: Baha'is and Baptists want confiscated property back
22 November 2005: "Rape these women," police chief orders
21 November 2005: Increased repression of religious minorities continues
18 November 2005: State losing its battle with religious believers?
17 November 2005: Hare Krishna devotee jailed for seven years
16 November 2005: Disturbing numbers of police raids on religious communities
15 November 2005: "Religious events should be in a house of worship, not on the street"
14 November 2005: When is postal censorship not postal censorship?
11 November 2005: All Protestants "face persecution, whether registered or not"
9 November 2005: Border guards ban believers from leaving
9 November 2005: Orthodox parish banned from worshipping
7 November 2005: We are breaking our Council of Europe commitments, official admits
4 November 2005: Will UN decision help religious communities?
3 November 2005: "If communities don't complain they will be suppressed even more"
1 November 2005: Selective obstruction of foreign religious workers
31 October 2005: Mosque visits and hijabs banned for children
27 October 2005: "Believers are not even allowed to visit each other"
25 October 2005: Family and mosque appeal for imam's freedom
25 October 2005: Third massive fine for organising religious worship
24 October 2005: More pressure against Islamic religious practise
20 October 2005: Uzbek claims and extremism law cause little change
19 October 2005: Wide-ranging extremism law not seen as threat
18 October 2005: Religious freedom survey, October 2005
14 October 2005: Continued state hostility to independent Muslims and Hare Krishna devotees
12 October 2005: Is there religious freedom in Turkey?
7 October 2005: Too much power for the state and recognised communities?
6 October 2005: Why was Moscow's Chief Rabbi deported?
6 October 2005: Concerns about draft religion law
4 October 2005: Did authorities crush Russian Orthodox Church Abroad parish?
3 October 2005: Growing attempts to isolate religious groups from support
30 September 2005: Liquidated church pledges to continue services
29 September 2005: Trials without end for Serbian Orthodox?
29 September 2005: Xinjiang - Controls tighten on Muslims and Catholics
28 September 2005: Second massive fine for organising religious worship
27 September 2005: Why did military authorities close Protestant churches?
26 September 2005: Xinjiang - How long will arrested Sufi Muslims be held?
26 September 2005: Presbyterian church to be confiscated?
23 September 2005: New wave of Jehovah's Witness sentences begins
22 September 2005: False dawn for Minsk charismatic church
20 September 2005: Serbian bishop remains in prison as appeal fails
19 September 2005: Romanian priest to pay for official destruction of his church
16 September 2005: Massive fines, ban upheld and TV vilification for unregistered communities
15 September 2005: Draconian new restrictions on "home religious meetings"
15 September 2005: Banned church once again operating freely
14 September 2005: "Heavy pressure" forces postponement of first Macedonian Orthodox church
13 September 2005: Jehovah's Witness challenges 15 day imprisonment
12 September 2005: Minister bans "non-existent" Church from building church
9 September 2005: Stabbing, beatings, arson and slander against religious minorities
8 September 2005: Minister admits but downplays attacks on religious minorities
8 September 2005: Unregistered Protestants face fines for worship
7 September 2005: How many missionaries now denied visas?
6 September 2005: Court orders Christian literature destroyed
5 September 2005: Baptist conscript now imprisoned
1 September 2005: Is central or local government responsible for religious freedom violations?
1 September 2005: Minsk authorities to confiscate church land
30 August 2005: Who owns religious property?
25 August 2005: Repression continues in Andijan uprising's aftermath
24 August 2005: Growing obstruction to Protestant church property ownership
24 August 2005: Why can't all Christian bookshops sell Bibles?
23 August 2005: Attempts to suppress independent Muslims continue
19 August 2005: Growing restrictions on rental by Protestants
18 August 2005: Police claim "individuals can only believe alone"
16 August 2005: "Entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan closed"
16 August 2005: Police and fire inspector try to close JW Congress
13 August 2005: Forum 18 reporter officially deported
12 August 2005: International condemnation of Forum 18 reporter's detention grows
11 August 2005: Forum 18 reporter detained at Tashkent airport
10 August 2005: Increasing use of criminal law against Jehovah's Witnesses
4 August 2005: New "national security" law contradicts itself
3 August 2005: Altai officials prefer eyedrops and cattle to Catholics
2 August 2005: Are Baptists terrorists or organised criminals?
2 August 2005: When will Dalai Lama next visit Tuva?
29 July 2005: Police beat Baptist with Bible and threaten to hang her
28 July 2005: Eight sentenced for 2004 Mosque burning
28 July 2005: Protestant property obstacles continue
27 July 2005: Orthodox Archbishop jailed – without the Gospels
27 July 2005: Violence, arson and religious believers
26 July 2005: Government "should register Muslims", says OSCE
25 July 2005: What should Tuvan children believe?
22 July 2005: "Virtual catastrophe" for Muslim Theological Faculty
21 July 2005: Why are Muslim registration applications rejected?
20 July 2005: Religious minorities face increasing state pressure
20 July 2005: Methodist ordered to leave immediately "or there will be serious trouble"
19 July 2005: Charity worker faces secret police death threats
18 July 2005: Largest Tuvan Protestant church disbands to avoid liquidation
15 July 2005: Unregistered religious activity declared illegal, missionary activity restricted
14 July 2005: Three fundamental causes of persecution remain
14 July 2005: Tortured Pentecostal still in jail
13 July 2005: Suspended sentence for embattled Baptist conscript
12 July 2005: Police continue hunt for religious literature
11 July 2005: President attempts to meddle in Orthodox structures
11 July 2005: Court confirms all Protestants banned in north-west
8 July 2005: Orthodox pressure railway into cancelling JW congress
7 July 2005: Illegally deported Armenian JW conscientious objector jailed, no progress in Karabakh Baptist case
7 July 2005: Should the state remove "inconsistencies" in Muslim rituals?
6 July 2005: Vietnam's new religion regulations don't help religious freedom
5 July 2005: Further foot-dragging in mosque burning case
1 July 2005: Continuing concerns over religion law draft
28 June 2005: Protestant tortured by police trying to force abandonment of Christianity
27 June 2005: Religious NGOs still banned from registering
24 June 2005: Archbishop to be jailed for 18 months
23 June 2005: Breakdown of functioning government affects Protestants
22 June 2005: Contrasting situations of Moscow Jehovah's Witnesses and Salvation Army
21 June 2005: Police with hostile TV crew raid meeting
20 June 2005: Police ban Romanian Orthodox commemoration
17 June 2005: One imprisoned, one fined, six more to follow
16 June 2005: Official claims government control of Islam
16 June 2005: What is known about Akramia and the uprising?
15 June 2005: Worsening repression in uprising's aftermath
15 June 2005: State attempts to control religious leaderships
13 June 2005: Five-day prison for "illegally" demanding believers' rights
10 June 2005: "Same repressive measures" include bans on worship
9 June 2005: Increased attacks on religious minorities
9 June 2005: Changes to religion law?
8 June 2005: Why is state interfering in Orthodox dispute?
8 June 2005: Conference cancelled after pastor's visa denied
6 June 2005: Orthodox priest under "pressure" or "just an explanation"?
6 June 2005: State-sponsored local Muslim monopoly in St Petersburg?
2 June 2005: Protestants in north-west "illegal"
1 June 2005: CENTRAL ASIA: OSCE Conference on Intolerance regional survey
30 May 2005: People barred entry on religious grounds now free to appeal
30 May 2005: Officials enforcing Religion Law before it is passed
27 May 2005: Schoolchildren told prayer "causes death" and suicide bombers
26 May 2005: Religious freedom since 1905 – any progress in Russia?
25 May 2005: Georgian Orthodox priests incite mobs against religious minorities
24 May 2005: Legal improvements, but little practical improvement
23 May 2005: Religious crackdown follows Andijan crackdown
20 May 2005: Baptist faces two years jail or two years forced labour
19 May 2005: Pressure on Minsk charismatic church resumes
18 May 2005: National security suffers if religious freedom attacked
17 May 2005: Not illegal deportation, merely illegal removal
16 May 2005: Orthodox veto on new religion law?
13 May 2005: "Draconian amendments" approved by Majilis
12 May 2005: Autonomous congregations out in the cold
12 May 2005: Why was Protestant church ordered closed?
11 May 2005: Not liquidated, but unable to meet
11 May 2005: Officials "condone" kangaroo court punishments
5 May 2005: Russian hand behind Japanese monk's entry denial?
4 May 2005: Salvation Army officers denied entry "in the interests of state security"
3 May 2005: Parliament considers restrictions on freedom tomorrow; Baptist heavily fined and church activities banned
2 May 2005: Why no full TV broadcast of papal funeral and inauguration?
29 April 2005: Human rights commissioner defends religious freedom violations
26 April 2005: Official refuses to say why Jehovah's Witness meeting "illegal"
25 April 2005: Major Hare Krishna festival banned
25 April 2005: Has bulldozing threat to Baptist church receded?
22 April 2005: Will registration end harassment of religious communities?
22 April 2005: Why did police raid Pentecostal church?
20 April 2005: Religious freedom survey, April 2005
18 April 2005: Deported Lutheran bishop seeks early return
15 April 2005: Beating and 12 day imprisonment for Baptist soldier
14 April 2005: Unregistered religious groups
12 April 2005: Fears over planned sweeping new restrictions on religion
12 April 2005: Government bans religious freedom advocate from UN meeting
8 April 2005: Final warning for Minsk charismatic church?
7 April 2005: Baptist jailed and Bible to be destroyed for "illegal" religious meeting
5 April 2005: Continuing large-scale religious freedom violations
4 April 2005: Xinjiang - Apparent tolerance of religious belief, but with tight state controls
1 April 2005: Jehovah's Witnesses raided on most important religious commemoration
31 March 2005: Heavy fines for registered but "illegal" Baptist worship
30 March 2005: Will the state protect Muslim scholar from Muslim death threats?
30 March 2005: Old Believers struggle for their historic churches
28 March 2005: Xinjiang - No children in church, Catholics told
24 March 2005: Five days in prison, then pressured to renounce his faith
23 March 2005: Charismatic pastor fined for organising "illegal" worship
22 March 2005: Chinese pressure achieves Falun Gong deregistration
21 March 2005: New wave of Jehovah's Witness sentences
17 March 2005: Will confiscated Baptist literature again be burnt?
16 March 2005: No religious freedom without democracy: a lesson from "Orange Ukraine"
16 March 2005: Authorities cut electricity to charismatic church
15 March 2005: Guilty verdict ahead for Protestant dance teacher?
15 March 2005: Romanian Orthodox church threatened with demolition
1 March 2005: President's personality cult imposed on religious communities
28 February 2005: "What's the point of registering?"
25 February 2005: New extremism law "serious danger" to religious believers
25 February 2005: Increased jailing of Muslims for being Muslim
22 February 2005: No religion law means a "dangerous legal void"?
22 February 2005: "Inhuman" sentence on religious conscientious objector
21 February 2005: Charismatic Pastor charged with organising "illegal" worship
21 February 2005: Illegally kidnapped Muslim jailed
17 February 2005: More religious prisoners of conscience jailed
16 February 2005: Prisoner's wife freed – but why was she jailed?
16 February 2005: Registration denial leads to prosecution risk
15 February 2005: Frustration at latest unfounded allegations
15 February 2005: Saints and martyrs relics banned
14 February 2005: Religious freedom survey, February 2005
14 February 2005: Islamic charitable work "criminal" and "extremist"?
10 February 2005: Supreme court claims constitutional right doesn't exist
9 February 2005: Priests and police raid and threaten Serbian Orthodox believers
4 February 2005: Selective refusal to register Serbian Orthodox Church
3 February 2005: Southern authorities side with Patriarchate against alternative Orthodox?
1 February 2005: Two leaders of religious violence finally sentenced – but what about the others?
1 February 2005: Linked moves against Protestant organisations?
31 January 2005: Jehovah's Witnesses interrogated and mosques demolished
27 January 2005: Uncertain fate of non re-registered communities
27 January 2005: How should religious violence legacy be overcome?
25 January 2005: Pressure mounts on Charismatic Minsk congregation
24 January 2005: Signs of worsening religious freedom?
24 January 2005: Church, mosque and synagogue kept by southern authorities
21 January 2005: Prisoner's wife on trial to show "who is boss here"
20 January 2005: No under-18s to attend worship or Sunday School
19 January 2005: Why does government restrict haj numbers?
18 January 2005: Attacks on religious minorities unpunished
18 January 2005: How believers resist state religious policy
17 January 2005: Only "very small percentage" of attacks in trial charges
14 January 2005: Who incites anti-Baptist village mobs?
11 January 2005: Justice official "grossly distorting the facts"
10 January 2005: Will Christian children now get birth certificates?
10 January 2005: "Quite enough missionaries" in the south?
7 January 2005: No hope for Hope orphanage?
6 January 2005: Religious conscientious objector forcibly taken to Nagorno-Karabakh
6 January 2005: Did Armenian priest beat Baptist conscientious objector?
5 January 2005: Azerbaijan's democracy "is being sold for oil"
4 January 2005: 2004, the year of demolished mosques
29 December 2004: "Colossal" "unjust" fine for "illegal" worship
17 December 2004: "We want freedom – freedom in society, freedom of faith and freedom to worship"
16 December 2004: Religious freedom survey, December 2004
16 December 2004: No room at the cowshed for Minsk church
13 December 2004: Latest student expulsion in anti-Christian campaign
13 December 2004: Jailed for sharing faith, "non-constructive teaching" and "creating tensions between family members".
10 December 2004: Why are religious communities in Nakhichevan "crushed"?
9 December 2004: "Our constitution guarantees us freedom of religion, but in reality we don't have it"
8 December 2004: Who ordered imam attestations?
8 December 2004: "We don't need Baptists here," shouts obstructive official
7 December 2004: Southern Protestants' mixed fortunes
7 December 2004: Assessing Europe's 'headscarf law' debates
3 December 2004: Why were some Tabligh members given lesser jail terms than others?
2 December 2004: Police disperse and harass academic religion researchers
1 December 2004: The boy who (officially) doesn't exist
1 December 2004: Fate of unregistered religious communities still uncertain
29 November 2004: Governor links Jehovah's Witnesses and Islamic militants as "destructive cults"
25 November 2004: Inconsistent response to illegal religious activity
25 November 2004: "Religious distortion" and religious freedom
23 November 2004: Mixed visa fortunes for foreign Catholic clergy
23 November 2004: Varying availability of adult religious education
22 November 2004: Why did Turkmenistan lie to the UN?
22 November 2004: Police raid Adventist service, fine and threaten leader, connive at hostile TV interviews of children
19 November 2004: "Religious freedom will be seriously hindered" by draft law
18 November 2004: Pressure on Tatarstan Protestants
17 November 2004: Criminal prosecutions and threats "just a coincidence"?
17 November 2004: Most - but not all - communities re-registered
15 November 2004: Are human rights activists agents-provocateurs?
11 November 2004: Adventists seek end to Sabbath schooling threats
10 November 2004: Minsk Krishna society facing closure?
10 November 2004: Kosovo - What now?
9 November 2004: Are Stavropol regional authorities interfering in Muslim affairs?
9 November 2004: State restrictions on Mosques in south's minority Muslim areas
5 November 2004: Violence against religious minorities continues
5 November 2004: Charismatic congregations barred from meeting
3 November 2004: Imam and congregation jailed for being Muslims
2 November 2004: Is State's treatment of southern Muslims unjust?
1 November 2004: Southern Muslims complain of fall-out from anti-terrorist moves
1 November 2004: Former chief mufti calls for lifting of restrictions on Islam
28 October 2004: Government defies international human rights pressure
26 October 2004: Continued isolation of religious believers
25 October 2004: Prisoners still held, one prisoner tortured with mind-altering drugs?
21 October 2004: Monastery demolished – another church demolition planned, and Metropolitan to be jailed?
20 October 2004: Police deny beating Baptist and religious minorities fear fresh repression
20 October 2004: Preacher to face criminal charges, and JW to be fired?
19 October 2004: Promises broken by continuing jailing of prisoners of conscience
18 October 2004: Protestant teacher's crime: "not hiding my religious beliefs"
15 October 2004: Public Prosecutors assault and threaten to rape female Jehovah's Witness
14 October 2004: Christians murdered, sources state
12 October 2004: Will Armenia now fulfil all its human rights commitments?
12 October 2004: Do Police and KNB want to catch criminals?
11 October 2004: Xinjiang - Linked religious practice and state control levels?
8 October 2004: Headscarf ban continuing
7 October 2004: OSCE discusses religious freedom minus a victim
6 October 2004: Jehovah's Witness seeks right to alternative service
4 October 2004: When will Adventist worship be permitted?
30 September 2004: Police raiders claim there's "no need" for Christians
29 September 2004: How the Public Security system controls religious affairs
28 September 2004: Xinjiang - What you can't do in a mosque
27 September 2004: Why can't Baptist Church function?
27 September 2004: Will local Orthodox dare to regularly attend new church?
23 September 2004: Serbian Orthodox "will never get registration"
22 September 2004: Suspicious fire guts Baptist church after authorities break up meeting
22 September 2004: Will Orthodox Christians soon be allowed priests?
21 September 2004: Implementation will test new religious ordinance
20 September 2004: Religious freedom in Xinjiang
16 September 2004: Imam barred from travel to OSCE conference
16 September 2004: Medical institute expels Protestant students
15 September 2004: Xinjiang - Imams and mosque education under state control
14 September 2004: Increasing crackdown on Muslim "extremist" books
13 September 2004: Xinjiang - Mongolian minority isolated from fellow-Buddhists abroad
10 September 2004: Baptists raided and Jehovah's Witnesses reject presidential portraits
9 September 2004: OSCE CONFERENCE ON DISCRIMINATION – A REGIONAL SURVEY
9 September 2004: Xinjiang - Security service investigation followed Orthodox priest's deportation
7 September 2004: Was Baptist fine an "exception"?
2 September 2004: Baptists to lose property after Easter hospital visit
2 September 2004: Away with legal discrimination - Serbia shouldn't follow Austria
30 August 2004: Is headscarf ban "enlightened" Islam?
27 August 2004: Religious prisoner makes formal torture complaint
23 August 2004: Religious freedom survey, August 2004
23 August 2004: Police break state and international law
20 August 2004: Why did government newspaper attack missionaries?
20 August 2004: No names, no questions, in latest trials of Muslims
17 August 2004: Religious freedom survey, August 2004
16 August 2004: Another Muslim jailed for being a Muslim?
16 August 2004: Will violent attackers of religious minorities be punished?
12 August 2004: As arrests continue, Muslims fail to regain their mosque
11 August 2004: Finding Nemo, hunting Adventists
10 August 2004: Police knew search results before they searched
9 August 2004: Why register when persecution continues?
9 August 2004: Urals Protestants kept out of sight?
6 August 2004: Being a devout Muslim a crime?
5 August 2004: Religious freedom survey, August 2004
4 August 2004: No religious freedom deterioration after bombings
3 August 2004: Police expulsion of Alternative Orthodox a dangerous precedent?
3 August 2004: Imprisonment, no registration, and no identity documents for JWs
2 August 2004: Urals religious freedom like "football with only one set of goalposts"
2 August 2004: Muslims can't pray at home, says police chief
30 July 2004: Baptist denied permission to live in own home
30 July 2004: "Discriminatory" religion bill
29 July 2004: Jail for leading home Koran study group?
28 July 2004: State interference in indigenous religions
27 July 2004: Jehovah's Witness congress broken up
27 July 2004: Is religion extremism?
23 July 2004: Police raid Orthodox churches
22 July 2004: Muslim fired for rejecting forcible mosque take-over
22 July 2004: Hare Krishna devotees expelled and correspondent threatened
21 July 2004: Why can't Muslims or Russian Orthodox Church Abroad register?
21 July 2004: Government blocks religious websites
20 July 2004: New fines and pressure on unregistered Baptists
16 July 2004: Why can't Jewish community re-establish rabbinate?
15 July 2004: Authorities foment protests to close Baptist holiday camp
14 July 2004: Religious leaders' concern as intrusive state check-ups rise
12 July 2004: No proof, but imam sentenced
12 July 2004: Anti-missionary law déjà vu
9 July 2004: Students to be expelled for belonging to "banned Protestant sect"?
8 July 2004: Jehovah's Witnesses arrested for being Islamic fundamentalists
7 July 2004: Twenty seven Juma mosque members detained, many fined, four beaten
7 July 2004: "Illegal" Baptists under more pressure as authorities try to stop Christianity
5 July 2004: Police seize imam and three others during mosque prayers
2 July 2004: Juma mosque stolen by police, community refused access for worship, and new imam imposed
1 July 2004: "Only two faiths are allowed, Islam and Orthodoxy" says deputy police chief
30 June 2004: Police storm mosque, expelling & beating-up Muslims
29 June 2004: Has imam been framed?
28 June 2004: Police control of believers set to continue
25 June 2004: Six religious prisoners of conscience free, but three remain
24 June 2004: Jehovah's Witnesses pledge to combat police beatings
23 June 2004: Another Muslim "extremist" jailed
22 June 2004: One religious policy fits all?
21 June 2004: Many thanks to International Religious Freedom Watch and the Open Society Institute.
17 June 2004: Jehovah's Witness ban comes into effect
16 June 2004: Do foreign missionaries bear "the hallmarks of espionage" in Khabarovsk region?
16 June 2004: Foreign missionaries in Sakhalin face restrictions
15 June 2004: Threats against lawyer's wife and young children
15 June 2004: The Disturbing Prospect for Religious Freedom
11 June 2004: Punished for signing a failed registration application
10 June 2004: Religious freedom, the best counter to religious extremism
9 June 2004: Why can't women wear the hijab for internal identity photos?
7 June 2004: No non-Orthodox places of worship wanted in Khabarovsk city centre
7 June 2004: Sakhalin region restrictions on using premises for worship
4 June 2004: Authorities now behaving "as badly as usual" after post-bombing crackdown
3 June 2004: Adventists get state registration, Baha'is may be next
1 June 2004: Local restrictions on mission in Khabarovsk region
1 June 2004: Local restrictions on mission in Sakhalin region
27 May 2004: Who murdered Baptist missionary Sergei Besarab?
27 May 2004: Will Nukus Medical Institute respect religious freedom or not?
25 May 2004: Moscow court decision - a fair cop?
25 May 2004: Full Moscow court decision slams JWs
24 May 2004: Unregistered religious activity still illegal
21 May 2004: Dushanbe Jews ordered to vacate synagogue by July
20 May 2004: New crackdown on Adventists
19 May 2004: Jehovah's Witness prisoners threatened with death
17 May 2004: Will the government or won't the government target Ahmadis?
17 May 2004: Religious freedom, the Achilles' Heel
13 May 2004: Religious persecution's latest disguises
13 May 2004: Sufism used for Uzbek propaganda in the USA
11 May 2004: State control of Islamic religious education
10 May 2004: Is state registration disguised persecution?
10 May 2004: Religious persecution continues
10 May 2004: Religious prisoners of conscience
6 May 2004: Nobody charged for destruction of Orthodox churches and monasteries
5 May 2004: Harsh draft religion law rejected – for now
4 May 2004: Sacked for being Jehovah's Witnesses
30 April 2004: Romany tent church demolition averted?
30 April 2004: Worsening anti-Protestant crackdown in north-west
28 April 2004: Religious Freedom and the Legal System: Continuing Struggle
27 April 2004: JWs still banned and Georgian Orthodox still barred
27 April 2004: Tight restrictions on Shia Muslim minority
26 April 2004: Expelling Muslims from Mosque "unpleasant," court executor says
26 April 2004: New hope for religious communities to get state registration?
22 April 2004: Methodists may have fought off church stealing
21 April 2004: Should Christians be shot?
21 April 2004: Spring offensive against the "Vitaliban"?
19 April 2004: Council of Europe fails to punish commitment violations over imprisoned conscientious objectors
16 April 2004: Was terrorist threat to Protestant Easter celebration genuine?
14 April 2004: Guilty of the unregistered teaching of a faith - even when charge is disproved
13 April 2004: Crackdown on all faiths follows terrorist bombings
13 April 2004: Jehovah's Witness rental contracts cancelled
7 April 2004: Religious freedom survey, April 2004
6 April 2004: Is religious censorship getting worse?
5 April 2004: "Half-free" imam to challenge suspended jail sentence
1 April 2004: Religious communities theoretically permitted, but attacked in practice?
31 March 2004: For religious freedom, patience may be the virtue
30 March 2004: Muslims barred from opening new mosques
29 March 2004: Alternative Orthodox denied church property
29 March 2004: Court bans Jehovah's Witnesses
26 March 2004: Lawyer disbarred for defending believers?
25 March 2004: Alternative Orthodox denied legal status
24 March 2004: Destruction worse than initially believed, and violence sparks incidents in Montenegro, Bosnia and Macedonia
23 March 2004: "Shall we trust the president?" religious groups ask
22 March 2004: Baptist and Adventist support for Imam at trial
19 March 2004: "Do not abandon convent to destruction", bishop pleads
19 March 2004: Pristina Orthodox priest "lucky" to be alive
18 March 2004: Justice department tries to limit church & mosque numbers
18 March 2004: Churches & mosques destroyed amid inter-ethnic violence
17 March 2004: Will violent Old Calendarist priest now be punished?
17 March 2004: Headscarves, religion & the state: the reality of European commitment to human rights for all
16 March 2004: JW sentenced under criminal law, and Bible to be destroyed
15 March 2004: Muslims say presence of male obstetrician violates their beliefs
15 March 2004: Pentecostals & Orthodox to lose buildings on Pacific coast?
12 March 2004: Scepticism and optimism greet surprise presidential decree
11 March 2004: Muslims vow to defy "illegal" worship ban
9 March 2004: Senior official "slanders Adventists"
8 March 2004: Why was former chief mufti given long jail term?
8 March 2004: University attacks Hare Krishna followers, along with secret police
5 March 2004: Muslims await police expulsion "with fear and flowers"
4 March 2004: State interference with Islamic religious life in the north east
4 March 2004: Authorities close Christian church in Khorezm
1 March 2004: Court decides to "immediately" expel Muslims from mosque
1 March 2004: Adventist pastor flees serious death threats
26 February 2004: Carpet seized to pay illegal Baptist fine
26 February 2004: Unregistered Baptist churches face Monday "disbandment" deadline
25 February 2004: Police refuse to protect Adventists facing death threats
25 February 2004: Mystery of the last "Hermit Kingdom"
24 February 2004: Mother of torture victim heavily fined, but not now given hard labour
24 February 2004: Who attacked, armed with machine guns, an Orthodox monastery?
20 February 2004: Court proceedings to seize mosque next week
18 February 2004: Ex-KGB's "preventative work" with religious minorities
17 February 2004: Old Believers summoned by ex-KGB before church leadership election
17 February 2004: More Baptist pastors fined
16 February 2004: Bookburning, fines and jail used against Jehovah's Witnesses
16 February 2004: State policy towards Muslims in Central Asia
12 February 2004: "Traitor" for being Christian?
11 February 2004: Tula Baptist & Orthodox churches under attack?
11 February 2004: Mosques resist pressure to join state-recognised central organisation
10 February 2004: Religious freedom survey, February 2004
9 February 2004: Close supervision of religious life is central policy
9 February 2004: Six Jehovah's Witnesses jailed for their faith
5 February 2004: Will Sunni mosques and Orthodox churches be criminalised?
4 February 2004: Government breaks promises to Council of Europe
3 February 2004: New media threats against Protestants and JWs
3 February 2004: Baptist pastors fined
2 February 2004: Trade alone will not improve religious freedom conditions
2 February 2004: Judges not police to expel Muslims from mosque?
29 January 2004: Authorities plan to storm embattled mosque?
29 January 2004: Jews fail to recover synagogues or prevent their destruction
28 January 2004: Orthodox Monk and Bishop fined, and another Bishop still jailed
28 January 2004: Police arrest, insult & threaten to rape female Jehovah's Witnesses
27 January 2004: Krishna devotees under pressure
23 January 2004: Religious minorities' hopes and doubts ahead of presidential inauguration
21 January 2004: Secret police break up Muslim commemoration of dead Azeri president
21 January 2004: State policy towards religious minorities in Central Asia
20 January 2004: Secrecy surrounds content of new religion decree
19 January 2004: Muslims ordered out of Mosque authorities want as carpet museum
15 January 2004: Authorities trying to close Baptist church
14 January 2004: Baptist missionary killed while praying
13 January 2004: Serbian Orthodox Archbishop arrested again
13 January 2004: Religious freedom under Islam
12 January 2004: Missionary's activity is "extremist", agrees court
9 January 2004: Heavy fines on Balkanabad Baptists
8 January 2004: No peace for Orthodox Christmas
8 January 2004: Imam still imprisoned despite no investigation
7 January 2004: Religious freedom survey, January 2004
5 January 2004: Evicted Moscow Methodists given temporary access
26 December 2003: Church stolen at Christmas
22 December 2003: Baptist freed after international pressure
19 December 2003: Fears grow for imprisoned Baptist
19 December 2003: Hand Grenade Attack on Orthodox Church
18 December 2003: When will Beijing's Orthodox have church?
16 December 2003: City justice dept claims church stealing was conducted legally
15 December 2003: Methodist church building to be stolen?
15 December 2003: Religious freedom survey, December 2003
12 December 2003: Pastor fined for leading unregistered worship
11 December 2003: Death row prisoners denied clergy access
11 December 2003: No changes to religion law - for now
10 December 2003: Authorities pressure legal Hare Krishna commune
9 December 2003: Baptists threatened as harsh new law used to bite
9 December 2003: Pressure mounts on imprisoned imam's supporters
8 December 2003: Religious freedom oasis? (Part 2 of 2)
8 December 2003: Religious freedom oasis? (Part 1 of 2)
4 December 2003: Continuing concern at criminalisation of religious belief and practice
4 December 2003: Muslim human rights activist jailed in rigged trial
2 December 2003: What about religious freedom?
2 December 2003: Independent Muslim human rights leader detained
1 December 2003: Renewed attacks on Serbian Orthodox
1 December 2003: Authorities don't follow neighbours' exclusion of religious leaders
28 November 2003: Tatar FSB says missionary's activity is "extremist"
27 November 2003: Authorities thwart the return of Buddhist King
26 November 2003: Will Shevardnadze's fall bring religious freedom?
24 November 2003: Religious freedom survey, November 2003
24 November 2003: President falsely claims no religious prisoners
21 November 2003: Illegal secret police raid is "legal"
20 November 2003: Orthodox permission needed for religious literature imports
20 November 2003: Can religious minorities publish religious literature?
20 November 2003: Religious freedom survey, November 2003
19 November 2003: Religious minorities concerned by "voluntary" 'Religion and Culture' classes
19 November 2003: Voluntary 'Religion and Culture' classes compulsory, parents complain
19 November 2003: Secret police close down mosque refusing to go against Islam
18 November 2003: Lingering legacy of militant atheism
17 November 2003: "We want legal status!" say minority faiths
14 November 2003: Why can't minority faiths build places of worship?
13 November 2003: An Orthodox Nation?
13 November 2003: Should violent Orthodox group be banned?
12 November 2003: Tajik secular not Shariah law prevails in mountainous east
11 November 2003: New religion law defies international human rights agreements
11 November 2003: State subsidies for "traditional" Confessions?
7 November 2003: Set-back in Religious Affairs Officials' Two-Year Plan
6 November 2003: Belarusian Orthodox Church®
5 November 2003: After four years of attacks, a suspended sentence is given
4 November 2003: Ahmadiyya Muslims among banned religious organisations
3 November 2003: Officials defend restrictions on minority faiths
3 November 2003: Even harsher controls on religion?
31 October 2003: Calvinists kept quiet
30 October 2003: When is a Monastery not a Monastery?
29 October 2003: Hizb ut-Tahrir wants worldwide Sharia law
24 October 2003: Police beat up, threaten Baptist and family.
22 October 2003: Independent Muslim leaders "safe", but pressure continues
21 October 2003: Official begins destruction of six rural mosques
21 October 2003: Is mullah latest Uzbek KGB kidnapping victim?
20 October 2003: Election crackdown on independent Muslim leaders
16 October 2003: Freedom of religion – a forgotten human right?
14 October 2003: Fines doubled for Balkanabad Baptists
13 October 2003: Religion law stunts church growth
13 October 2003: Authorities check up on Sunday school pupils
10 October 2003: Jehovah's Witness freed early from camp
9 October 2003: No let-up in Jehovah's Witness sentences
9 October 2003: Perpetual raids on village Baptist church
8 October 2003: Obstacles to obtaining new or old worship buildings
8 October 2003: Obstacles to religious events outside the home
7 October 2003: Home worship by registered groups illegal
7 October 2003: Is home worship in small groups illegal?
6 October 2003: Baptist "mob" banned from worshipping
3 October 2003: No peace for Peace Church
2 October 2003: Religious freedom survey, October 2003
2 October 2003: Fines to follow Protestant church closure
1 October 2003: Indigenous believers resist state contact
1 October 2003: Old Believers cry SOS
30 September 2003: "Protestants cannot work as teachers," ideology official declares
29 September 2003: Catholics "shocked" by undiplomatic warning
25 September 2003: Will non-Orthodox faiths ever get legal status?
25 September 2003: Catholics fail to break Orthodox monopoly
23 September 2003: Xinjiang religious freedom survey, September 2003
22 September 2003: New religion bill will be neutral, drafter insists
18 September 2003: Xinjiang's Ismailis cut off from international Ismaili community
17 September 2003: New hope to change religion law?
11 September 2003: Local re-registration barely begun
10 September 2003: Did Orthodox join police in crushing Baptist street library?
9 September 2003: Religious freedom survey, September 2003
5 September 2003: Methodists live "twilight existence," leader claims
4 September 2003: "KGB methods" used to break up Sunday school
3 September 2003: Moscow Baptist street service broken up
2 September 2003: Hindus registered, but others still wait
2 September 2003: Loudspeakers banned from unregistered mosques
1 September 2003: More obstacles to public religious events
1 September 2003: Baptists to be fined for each service
28 August 2003: Will Jews get compensation when synagogue is demolished?
27 August 2003: Registration breakthrough for minority faiths
27 August 2003: Do Sunday school children need written parental permission?
25 August 2003: Baptists forced to pay for own imprisonment
22 August 2003: Massive tax bill aimed at "crushing" Church?
19 August 2003: Jehovah's Witness centre to be destroyed?
14 August 2003: Attacks on religious minorities in 2002
11 August 2003: Attack on Christian music concert
11 August 2003: Pentecostal Pastor to seek asylum due to "intolerable conditions"
8 August 2003: Hare Krishna followers having lunch "not forbidden"?
4 August 2003: Baptist Women are latest targets
31 July 2003: "Too many mosques" and compulsory "stage music"?
29 July 2003: Baptist fined for "talking to passers-by about God"
29 July 2003: Religious Freedom Survey, July 2003
28 July 2003: Allegations against Komi Patriarchate diocese ignored, but breakaway Orthodox allegations investigated
25 July 2003: Hare Krishnas the latest target of anti-religious minorities campaign
24 July 2003: Serbian Bishop sentenced to Solitary Confinement
24 July 2003: State interrogations of Komi breakaway Orthodox
24 July 2003: Komi breakaway Orthodox fight to retain Church building
23 July 2003: Last of 31 court cases for Komi Baptists?
23 July 2003: "We're not criminals," fined Baptists insist
21 July 2003: Controversial religion law survives constitutional challenge
18 July 2003: Harsh border cuts Muslims off from Turkmen holy sites
17 July 2003: "End persecution or we seek asylum," Pentecostals tell president
16 July 2003: Religious freedom survey July 2003
15 July 2003: "Don't report interrogation on the Internet," ex-KGB tells Protestant
14 July 2003: Racist vigilantes again blockade Pentecostal church
10 July 2003: Fined Nukus Adventists again in court
9 July 2003: OSCE MEETING ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION - A REGIONAL SURVEY
8 July 2003: Police "angry" at Forum 18 report of Hare Krishna raid
8 July 2003: "No change" for Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors
4 July 2003: Is Kostroma missionary black spot?
4 July 2003: State opposition to Kostroma Pentecostals continues
3 July 2003: Baptists deny they burnt down own church
2 July 2003: Why can't smaller Protestant Churches or Muslims gain legal status?
30 June 2003: Further attacks on Orthodox sites
26 June 2003: Wives demand freedom for imprisoned Muslim husbands
25 June 2003: Religious freedom survey June 2003
25 June 2003: Heavy fines on Turkmenabad Baptists
24 June 2003: Despite protests, "anti-sect" schoolbook to remain
24 June 2003: New concordat gives Orthodox enhanced status
23 June 2003: Police chief bans Pentecostal church
20 June 2003: New spate of Pentecostal fines
19 June 2003: New controls on access to religious websites
18 June 2003: Pressure mounts on beleaguered senior religious official
18 June 2003: "We'll put you away for twelve years," Baptists told
17 June 2003: Campaign to close down Pentecostal Church?
16 June 2003: Did Orthodox arsonists destroy Baptist church?
16 June 2003: "We'll be back," mob warns Pentecostals
12 June 2003: No response to Buddhist or Hindu registration applications
12 June 2003: Kindergarten teacher threatened with dismissal
10 June 2003: Crackdown widens to Hare Krishna community
10 June 2003: Armed police break up Hindu meditation
9 June 2003: Protest against "anti-sect" school textbook
9 June 2003: Judge defends burning of Baptist magazine
6 June 2003: Protestants fined as crackdown continues
6 June 2003: Criminal case against Baptist pastor withdrawn
5 June 2003: Violent priest to challenge temporary detention order
3 June 2003: Chief mufti joins crackdown on Protestants
3 June 2003: Pentecostal evangelist to challenge fine
2 June 2003: Police beat Jehovah's Witnesses
30 May 2003: Authorities drag feet over Pentecostal registration
30 May 2003: Who shapes up to new religion law?
29 May 2003: Jehovah's Witnesses face trial and expulsion
28 May 2003: Citizenship moves "will not affect Russian Orthodox"?
27 May 2003: Orthodox becoming first among equals
26 May 2003: New plans to abolish "discriminatory" legal provision
23 May 2003: Detained Baptists threatened and insulted
23 May 2003: Authorities concerned at publicity over Jehovah's Witness fines
22 May 2003: "Medieval khan" closes mosques
20 May 2003: Supreme Court upholds Bible college closure
20 May 2003: Total state control over Islamic faith
19 May 2003: Criminal case for refusing to halt church services
16 May 2003: Secret instructions order religious surveillance
15 May 2003: Threats and fines follow break-up of Baptist Sunday service
13 May 2003: No protection in capital for attacked Orthodox Church and Priest
13 May 2003: Religious rights groups barred from registering
12 May 2003: Islamic headscarves arouse school director's anger
12 May 2003: No prayers in school, Muslim children told
9 May 2003: Namangan's Muslims appeal in vain for mosques
8 May 2003: Nakhichevan is re-registration black hole
8 May 2003: Nakhichevan Adventist church fights for survival
7 May 2003: Jehovah's Witnesses challenge literature seizures
6 May 2003: No end to immunity despite presidential pledge
2 May 2003: Muslim women prisoners "viciously insulted"
1 May 2003: Free Churches unhappy over government agreements
1 May 2003: Secrecy surrounds new draft religion law
30 April 2003: Registration "refuseniks" to challenge "discriminatory" law
29 April 2003: Police move to crush Baptist street libraries
28 April 2003: Jehovah's Witnesses to challenge fines in Supreme Court
25 April 2003: Secret order banishes religious minorities from police
25 April 2003: Police reinstate Jehovah's Witness – for now
24 April 2003: Prosecutor "fed up" with Baptist appeals
22 April 2003: Only limited censorship of religious websites
21 April 2003: Court closes down Bible College
17 April 2003: Latest attack leaves Adventist pastor hospitalised
16 April 2003: Catholic radio broadcasts axed - literally
15 April 2003: Kalmykia's "common defence" against "non-traditional" religions
14 April 2003: Are Kalmykia's Protestants "western spies"?
11 April 2003: Secret police interrogate and threaten Baptist children
11 April 2003: Few complaints over Kalmykia's state support for Buddhism
8 April 2003: Five-year registration denial for Namangan mosque
7 April 2003: True Orthodox fear church-destroyers will escape justice
7 April 2003: Muslims fined for prayers in closed mosque
3 April 2003: Breakthrough for conscientious objectors?
2 April 2003: Non-Moscow Orthodox "banned" from registering
2 April 2003: True Orthodox battle on for legal worship
1 April 2003: Appeal court doubles Jehovah's Witness sentence
31 March 2003: Degree of calm in Catholic storm
28 March 2003: Destruction for Krishna books as religion chief denies censorship
27 March 2003: Fergana Valley responds to Iraq war
26 March 2003: Baptist women are latest secret police victims
25 March 2003: Scepticism greets new pledges to end religious violence
25 March 2003: President pledges punishment for religious violence
24 March 2003: New parliamentary force for "traditional spiritual values"
21 March 2003: Ex-KGB leads raid on Baptist church
20 March 2003: Religion looms as electoral factor
20 March 2003: Fines on unregistered religious communities stepped up
19 March 2003: Baptist warned not to hold home meetings
19 March 2003: Long sentences for five Tashkent Muslims
18 March 2003: Interrogations and threats follow charity action
18 March 2003: Pacific island keeps Protestants in check
17 March 2003: Muinak Pentecostals fear new charges
17 March 2003: Orthodox to be main victims of clampdown?
14 March 2003: Andijan Pentecostal pastor threatened
14 March 2003: Will controversial religion law come back?
13 March 2003: Baptist pastor narrowly escapes charges
13 March 2003: Moscow Baptists barred from renting public buildings
12 March 2003: No hope of registration for minority faiths?

Forum 18 News Service

Latest Analyses

Latest news