Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in Moscow’s Kremlin October 30, 2013.
REUTERS/MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV/RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN
MOSCOW, Russia — Despite protests and appeals from religious communities and human rights advocates, Russian president Vladimir Putin signs a new law against public evangelization.
The “Yarowaya Law” or the new Anti-Terrorism Law will be effective on July 20, aiming to impose stricter security measures against any act of terrorism.
The law, however, has become the center of criticisms as it restricts religious freedom.
Under the new law, believers who talk to other people about god outside accredited church congregation can be punished.
Reading the Bible or praying in front of an unbeliever is punishable by law as workers will be allowed to share their faith only if they have a permit.
The law also prohibits Christians from using online tools like email to share their faith or invite friends to church.
Citizens who observe religious activity in their neighbors’ homes should report it to the authorities, or they will be punished.
Missionaries who share the gospel to random persons they meet can be fined up to $780 or more than P36, 500 for an invidual violator while $15,500 or more than P725, 800 for an organization, including deportation.
This has prompted concerns among Filipinos especially about their religious practices and spiritual well-being.
“I was saddened by the news because as foreigner in other countries, we only have God to turn to every time we have problems,” said Racquel Quilas, OFW in Russia.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Russia will study the consequences of the official version of the law once it has been formally released.
The embassy will also coordinate with the Russian authorities and experts in order to fully understand the provisions of the law.
The new law is being compared to the Soviet Communist era in 1929 wherein religious freedom was restricted.
(UNTV NEWS & RESCUE)
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