On 7 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill referred to by one Christian organisation as an “anti-missionary bill”.

The new law, known more commonly as the “Yarovaya” law (the name of one of its authors), which will come into effect on 20 July, was formally introduced as an “anti-terrorism” measure, allowing the government to monitor extremist groups.

However, its biggest impact may be upon Russia’s Christians, particularly missionaries, who will need a permit, and the so-called “house churches”, which will soon be deemed illegal, as religious activity will only be allowed to take place inside registered buildings, such as churches. Maximum fines amount to the equivalent of $780 for individuals or $15,000 for organisations.

The law is unlikely to affect the Russian Orthodox Church, to which, according to the Christian Post, 70% of Russians (and 90% of ethnic Russians) subscribe, but it will affect all other evangelical groups and denominations, including Protestants (1% of the population), Seventh-day Adventists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

A statement from USCIRF statement reads : “The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom strongly condemns these measures. Under the guise of confronting terrorism, they … grant authorities sweeping powers to curtail civil liberties, including setting broad restrictions on religious practices that would make it very difficult for religious groups to operate. 

The Russian government uses its current anti-extremism law to target religious communities because the legal definition of extremism does not require the threat or use of violence. ‘Extremism’ charges can include the peaceful promotion of ‘the superiority of one’s own religion,’ and have resulted in religious texts being banned and members of non-violent Muslims groups and Jehovah’s Witnesses imprisoned.”