Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses to resume in-person gatherings, door knocking still on hold
By Alejandra Molina — March 18, 2022
(RNS) — Kingdom Halls will, as of April 1, reopen for in-person worship as long as there are no pandemic-related government restrictions forbidding them from doing so. Virtual services will still be available.
Russia is censured for religious freedom violations against Jehovah’s Witnesses
By Kathryn Post — February 23, 2022
(RNS) — Europe's highest human rights court found the country has violated Jehovah’s Witnesses' rights to liberty and freedom of religion.
Russia jails more Jehovah’s Witnesses, prompting calls for ‘strong measures’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 20, 2022
(RNS) — More than 80 Jehovah’s Witnesses are imprisoned in Russia, including some awaiting trial and some detained after being convicted.
Kyrgyzstan is expected to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses publications for ‘extremism’
By Kathryn Post — November 30, 2021
(RNS) — The ban would mark the first time that the country has taken an official stance against the religious group.
Russia added to State Department list of worst religious liberty violators
By Adelle M. Banks — November 17, 2021
(RNS) — Blinken said the Biden administration supports ‘every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.’
Russian Jehovah’s Witness sentenced to over four years in prison for his faith
By Jessica Mundie — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Since April 2020, five men, including Vladimir Skachidub, have been convicted and imprisoned for practicing their faith in Russia’s Krasnodar Territory, where their religion is considered an extremist group.
Three Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to six or more years in Russian prison for their faith
By Kathryn Post — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since 2017, 14 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been sentenced to six or more years of prison in Russia, where they are considered an extremist group.
For another year, the world’s most famous door-knocking ministry will stay home
By Alejandra Molina — July 8, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — For the second year, Jehovah’s Witnesses are holding their annual conventions online. Their kingdom halls remain closed across the country. Door-to-door preaching has not resumed.
16 Jehovah’s Witnesses released from prison in Turkmenistan during Ramadan
By Adelle M. Banks — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — ‘These young men are excited to return home and once again help support their families and local communities,’ said a spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Russia, China, Myanmar recommended for State Department list of religious freedom violators
By Adelle M. Banks — April 21, 2021
(RNS) — The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom highlighted atrocities against Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar’s military, persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses by Russia’s government and China’s detention of millions of Uighurs and other Muslims.
First Jehovah’s Witness woman sentenced in Russia after faith declared ‘extremist’
By Adelle M. Banks — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — The faith group’s spokesman called the ruling ‘a mockery of the rule of law — both international human rights law as well as Russia’s constitution.’
Fifth Jehovah’s Witness receives six-year sentence in Russia for practicing his faith
By Adelle M. Banks — December 17, 2020
(RNS) — Yuriy Savelyev was ‘charged with organizing the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ when his home was raided in 2018.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ release in Eritrea a rare sign of religious toleration
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 10, 2020
(RNS) — The release of 28 Witnesses follows the freeing of 20 Pentecostal and evangelical Christians who had been imprisoned for their faith.
One Jehovah’s Witness acquitted in Russia as others get months of restrictions
By Adelle M. Banks — October 8, 2020
(RNS) — ‘We hope that Russia will stop vilifying Jehovah’s Witnesses with the preposterous label of ‘extremists,’’ a spokesman said.
Scholars call out Putin and the ‘escalation’ of persecution against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 2, 2020
(RNS) — A group of 50 religion scholars from around the world are calling on President Vladimir Putin and his administration to end the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
