The state continues expanding its control over politics, businesses and - not surprisingly - spiritual sphere. The government is saying that the need to introduce restrictions on religious communities is grounded in national security aspect and preventing citizens from radical terrorist organizations and totalitarian sects. The believers argue that the law would put “traditional” confessions - Islam and Christian Orthodox Church - in the advantageous competitive position, thus violation the freedom of conscience.

Despite recent tweaking of the draft Religion Law currently in the parliament, the text contains many violations of international human rights commitments, says for instance Forum 18 international rights group.

“They put many distracting points in the draft to take away our attention from the real pitfalls,” Aleksandr Klyushev of the Association of Religious Organisations complained to Forum 18 News Service. “We need to do everything in our power to stop this law from being adopted.”

Penalties for unregistered religious activity will be stepped up, and 50 adult citizen members will be required to register local religious communities. Local religious groups will not have the right to engage in educational, publishing or missionary activity.