Russia

Introducing Sharia law has resulted in increased persecution of non-Muslims and violations of rights of vulnerable groups. Many of the principles of the Sharia law are incompatible with human rights values. 

A series of local laws, instructions and court decisions across Russia aim to restrict the rights of religious communities the local authorities do not like, Forum 18 News Service has found. A new regional law has been adopted in Kostroma Region north-east of Moscow banning and punishing "propaganda of religious sects among minors".

The group compared the situation with the Soviet era. "In Soviet times, cults were targeted for persecution, and evangelical Christians were purposefully labeled as followers of a cult."

About 100 million Christians worldwide are suffering persecution and thousands die in religious conflicts. The biggest number of persecutions against Christians is taking place in the countries of Africa and the Middle East, said Metropolitan Hilarion, who heads the Russian Orthodox Church’s Foreign Relations Department.

Increasing number of Christians are being fined or threatened with fines in Russia for organising or conducting meetings for worship.

Muslim radicals are suspects in the arson attacks against the Churches. Muslim groups are fighting to establish an Islamic state in the region