Written questions, answers and statements

Russia: Jehovah's Witnesses

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Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 217459, tabled on 6 February 2019

Question

Mr Jim Cunningham
Labour
Coventry South
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Russia on the religious freedom of Jehovah's Witnesses in that country.

Answer

Sir Alan Duncan
Conservative
Rutland and Melton
Commons

Answered on

11 February 2019

We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia, including the treatment of Jevovah's Witnesses and the recent case of Denis Christensen.

The Minister for Human Rights Lord Ahmad has previously issued a statement urging Russia to uphold its international human rights obligations to protect citizens who may be at risk of persecution. Our Ambassador to Moscow has raised concerns directly with the Russian Government.

We continue to prioritise the promotion and protection of human rights, and will continue to make our concerns clear in bilateral interactions at all levels, where appropriate. Lord Ahmad remains in close touch with Jehovah's Witnesses to discuss concerns.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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