Introduction: Faith Under Pressure
In Russia, religious diversity exists under the shadow of state control. While the Orthodox Church enjoys privileged status, minority faiths face surveillance, harassment, and persecution. The Kremlin, in partnership with the Moscow Patriarchate, has created an environment where religion is politicised, conformity is enforced, and dissenting beliefs are stigmatised. For many communities, faith has become a liability that can lead to imprisonment, raids, or exile.


The State and the Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church functions as a close ally of the state, providing ideological legitimacy for the Kremlin’s policies. This partnership elevates Orthodoxy as a pillar of national identity while marginalising other faiths. Minority religious groups are often portrayed as foreign-influenced or subversive, reinforcing public suspicion and enabling state repression.

Legal Framework of Discrimination
Russian authorities rely on a restrictive legal framework to target religious minorities. The 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience established a hierarchy of religions, privileging 'traditional' faiths—Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism—while marginalising others. The 2016 'Yarovaya Law' further restricted freedom of belief by criminalising unregistered religious activity and missionary work. These laws provide broad justification for raids, fines, and bans on minority religious practices.


Persecution of Specific Groups
Several religious minorities have borne the brunt of state persecution:

- Jehovah’s Witnesses were outlawed as an 'extremist organisation' in 2017. Members face mass arrests, imprisonment, and property seizures.
- Muslim groups outside state-approved organisations are frequently accused of extremism, with worshippers prosecuted for possessing religious literature.
- Protestant communities, including Baptists and Pentecostals, experience raids, surveillance, and restrictions on worship.
- New religious movements are portrayed as dangerous sects, facing defamation and legal harassment.

These practices criminalise ordinary expressions of faith, forcing many believers underground or abroad.


Surveillance and Harassment
Religious minorities are closely monitored by security services. Places of worship are raided, homes searched, and leaders interrogated. Surveillance extends into online activities, with authorities scrutinising religious discussions on social media. Children of minority believers often face bullying at school, while adults risk losing jobs or facing public shaming. This creates a climate of fear in which freedom of belief exists only on paper.


Propaganda and Public Hostility
State propaganda reinforces discrimination by portraying minority faiths as alien or threatening. Media campaigns depict Jehovah’s Witnesses as dangerous extremists and Protestants as foreign agents. Islam, though officially recognised, is subject to suspicion when practiced outside state-approved structures. These narratives fuel public hostility, legitimising repression and social exclusion.


Consequences for Communities
The impact of persecution on religious minorities is severe:

- Communities are fractured as leaders are jailed or forced into exile.
- Families lose homes, jobs, and social networks due to discrimination.
- Believers worship in secrecy, fearing raids or prosecution.
- Children grow up internalising fear and stigma associated with their faith.

For many, persecution undermines not only religious practice but also basic human dignity.


Exodus Abroad
Persecution has driven thousands of religious minority members to seek asylum abroad. Jehovah’s Witnesses, in particular, have fled to Europe and North America, where courts recognise them as victims of religious persecution. Muslim communities have sought refuge in Turkey and Central Asia. These exiles carry their faith beyond Russia’s borders, continuing their traditions while advocating for international recognition of their plight.


International Condemnation
International organisations, including the United Nations and the European Court of Human Rights, have condemned Russia’s treatment of religious minorities. Human rights groups document arbitrary arrests, torture, and unfair trials. Western governments have imposed sanctions on officials linked to religious persecution, though these measures have done little to alter the Kremlin’s policies. Still, external pressure provides visibility and solidarity for persecuted communities.


The Future of Religious Freedom in Russia
The future of religious freedom in Russia appears bleak under current conditions. The state continues to equate loyalty to the Orthodox Church with loyalty to the nation. Minority believers are treated as outsiders, subject to surveillance and persecution. Yet, resilience persists. Communities worship in secrecy, document abuses, and seek support abroad. Their perseverance ensures that, despite repression, religious diversity in Russia endures.


Conclusion: Faith in Exile
Religious minorities in Russia live under the constant threat of surveillance, harassment, and persecution. For many, exile becomes the only path to safety and freedom of belief. The Kremlin’s attempt to control faith reflects its broader assault on civil liberties, equating independence of thought with disloyalty. Until genuine freedom of religion is respected, Russia will continue to drive away its own citizens for practicing the most fundamental of rights: the right to believe.