Human rights update

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMPROMISED?

The applicants in Kuznetsov and others v Russia (Application No 184/02) are members of the Chelyabinsk community of Jehovah’s Witnesses who complained they were prevented from holding a religious meeting.
They claimed that a Bible study meeting attended by a group of predominantly hearing-impaired Jehovah’s Witnesses was unlawfully disrupted by the chairwoman of the regional human rights commission and two senior police officers. Responding to instructions from the police, Kuznetsov announced in sign language that the meeting was at an end. The applicants argued that the actions of the authorities amounted to an interference with their right to freedom of religion, which was contrary to Art 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention). Subsequently, the group was given notice of the termination of a lease of college premises, which were used to hold religious meetings.

Government’s claims rejected

The applicants’ request for a criminal investigation into the actions of the commissioner was rejected. A civil