“The law is in clear violation of the Russian constitution,” noted the IHF in its March report to the OSCE.
The most controversial provisions of the law are those which limit the rights, activities, and status of religious groups existing in Russia for less than 15 years prior to the date of the law’s passage. Unregistered groups which cannot demonstrate that they have been in existence in Russia for 15 years may be registered but are denied rights and privileges; groups registered prior to the law but which were not in existence in Russia for 15 years must re-register every year until a 15-year period expires.
Under the Austrian law, 12 specified religions satisfy the prerequisites to gain religious recognition. All remaining religious groups seeking legal status must undergo a period of government observation during which “legal status is denied and the religious organization is liquidated if the government ascertains that the beliefs of the group violate, among other criteria, democratic interests, public security, etc.,” as noted in the presentation of the U.S. Delegation to the annual OSCE conference at the close of 1998.
Disarming the Intolerant continued...
    
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