Latest news
Challenges to Freedom of Conscience in Russia in 2022
This is the latest annual report by the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis on freedom of conscience in the Russian Federation.
"Statutes & Decisions" releases a special issue on anti-extremism and forensic expertise in Russia
The issue features articles by Alexander Verkhovsky, Olga Sibireva and Dmitry Dubrovsky.
Freedom of Conscience in Russia: Restrictions and Challenges in 2021
This is the latest annual report by the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis on freedom of conscience in the Russian Federation.
Freedom of Religion or Belief in Russia: Restrictions and Challenges in 2020

This short version of our annual report was published in Talk About: Law and Religion. Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

Freedom of Conscience in Russia: Restrictions and Challenges in 2020
This is the latest annual report by the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis on freedom of conscience in the Russian Federation.
Attacks on Women Wearing Hijabs and Niqabs in Moscow and the Moscow Region

In late August and early September 2023, at least three girls wearing Muslim headscarves were attacked in Moscow and the Moscow region.

Representatives from unregistered Evangelical Christian-Baptist churches protest changes to the law on freedom of conscience
Representatives from unregistered Evangelical Christian-Baptist churches have appealed to the Russian president protesting against a new bill, which in their opinion “encroaches on citizens’ rights to freedom of conscience and religion.”
Russian government approves draft amendment “On Freedom of Conscience”, easing registration for religious organizations

On March 20th, 2014, the Russian government confirmed a bill “On amending Federal Law ‘On freedom of conscience and religious associations’ and abrogating provisions of certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”, and made the decision to submit the bill to the Duma. The change primarily drops the requirement to confirm that a religious group has existed for at least 15 years in order to be registered as a religious organization.

Imams from Novosibirsk turn to ECHR
Ilkhom Merazhov and Kamil Odilov have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.
In Krasnoyarsk, new prosecutions for studying Nursi literature
In Krasnoyarsk on January 24th, 2014, Andrei Dedkov was detained on suspicion of organizing activities for the banned religious association “Nurdzhular”.
SOVA's address and recommendations at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference - 2023

SOVA Center took part in the 2022 OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (October 2 - 13). Here we publish the statement made by the center’s expert Olga Sibireva at the Plenary Session IV "Fundamental freedoms II" on October 6.

Submission on Implementation of the General Measures in the Group of Cases “Taganrog LRO and others v. Russia”

On August 11, 2023, Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre and SOVA Center for Information and Analysis made a submission to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe regarding the non-implementation of the European Court for Human Rights’ judgment and the Committee’s recommendations on Jehovah’s Witnesses cases by the Russian authorities.

SOVA's address and recommendations at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference
SOVA Center for Information and Analysis took part in the 2022 OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (September 27 – October 7). Here we publish the report made by the center’s expert Olga Sibireva at the Plenary Session II "Fundamental freedoms I" on September 28.
Video: Seminar "Prevention of Right-Wing Radical and Religiously Motivated Violent Extremism. In Search of a Positive Experience"
On June 3, 2021, SOVA Center and the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Center held a seminar “Prevention of Right-Wing Radical and Religiously Motivated Violent Extremism. In Search of a Positive Experience.” See the full video of the seminar.
The Supreme Court's decision banning the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses
On April 20, 2017, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized the central organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses as an extremist organization and banned it along with 395 local religious organizations. The decision of the Supreme Court you can see here.