New Russian Law Could Interfere with Activities of Jewish Groups

A bill adopted by the Russian parliament last week could interfere with the activities of groups trying to revitalize Jewish life in the former Soviet Union.

The legislation, reportedly introduced at the urging of the Russian Orthodox Church, would require all foreign religious organizations to work under the authority of local groups and to be registered by the government.

President Boris Yeltsin has until July 28 to veto the bill, which was adopted July 14.

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) has written Yeltsin, expressing concern that the bill would be a “setback for religious freedom.” As of midweek, more than 20 other members of Congress had signed the letter, which was only beginning to circulate on Capitol Hill.

The National Conference on Soviet Jewry has expressed concern about the bill to the State Department and to the Russian Embassy in Washington.

“This is clearly another action by a conservative parliament that doesn’t bode well for the future well-being of their country or their citizens,” said Mark Levin, executive director of the National Conference.

The bill amends Russia’s landmark 1990 law on freedom of conscience and religious organizations.

“This legislation is not primarily aimed at the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an ecumenical group that promotes religious freedom.

‘A CAUSE FRO APPREHENSION’

Nonetheless, he added, “any statute that restricts religious freedom — so long denied to the Russian people under Communist rule — is a setback and cause for apprehension.”

The bill is a reflection of the Russian Orthodox Church’s mounting concern over the inroads made by foreign evangelists and missionary groups, from Billy Graham to Hari Krishna. There has also been concern about the ascendancy of Muslim fundamentalists.

A broad array of foreign Jewish groups operate in Russia, sponsoring various religious, cultural, educational and humanitarian activities. The impact of the bill on these groups would depend on how the regulations were enforced.

Some of the most prominent Jewish religious groups active in Russia operate in conjunction with Russian affiliates. Others are officially registered with the Russian government. It is not clear how the law would impact these groups.

But one provision of the bill reportedly would require foreign religious teachers to be accredited by bodies which would have seemingly wide discretion in approving applications.

That could affect people such as Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Moscow’s chief rabbi, who is from Israel and Switzerland.

Under the law, “his serving” would have to “be approved by the apparatchiks” said Leonid Stonov, international director of the Moscow human rights bureau of the Union of Councils, formerly called the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews.

“This amendment is absolutely unacceptable and unbelievably bad,” he said.