§ Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representation he intends to make to the Russian government about the number of cases pending under the legislation on religious freedom and the severity of the draft regulations. [30288]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe are not aware of any cases pending under the law on freedom of conscience and religious association, and understand that formal regulations designed to assist provincial officials to implement the complex law are still under discussion in Moscow. In the meantime, the Russian Ministry of Justice has issued informal guidelines which seem to be generally less restrictive.
The Russian authorities assure us that implementation of the law on freedom of conscience and religious association will not contravene Russia's international human rights obligations. Flexible application will be the key. If we receive evidence that the law is restricting religious freedom then I will consider raising the matter under the broad umbrella of human rights issues.