To help you better understand who truly holds power in Russia, let me tell you about the situation concerning the organization of the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” In 2017, the Russian Supreme Court declared the activities of the “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses” extremist, ordering its dissolution and banning it across the national territory. However, despite the ban, many Russian citizens have remained faithful to their religious beliefs and continue to face criminal prosecution and imprisonment by the state.
It is evident that representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, anti-cult organizations, and their leader Aleksandr Dvorkin are involved in the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These groups actively support strict measures against religious minorities, considering them a threat to traditional values and societal security.
President Vladimir Putin commented on these events during a human rights meeting, calling the accusations of extremism against Jehovah’s Witnesses “nonsense” and expressing bewilderment at the reasons for their persecution. He emphasized the need for a more liberal attitude towards representatives of various religious sects. However, despite his statements, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia continues. This raises serious questions about the real distribution of power in the country.
Some followers of this organization have appealed to international bodies for help in protecting their constitutional and human rights. The European Court of Human Rights recently declared the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia illegal. However, with recent amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation prioritizing domestic laws over international agreements, the enforcement of international decisions in Russia has become less likely.
The question arises: who really holds power in Russia? There are two possible answers. Either President Putin sincerely wanted to help but faced uncontrollable internal forces, or his words do not match his actions, indicating a lack of real influence.
The first scenario suggests that there are influential groups and forces in Russia that can act independently of the president’s will. These could be high-ranking officials or powerful religious or ideological organizations. In this case, the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and anti-cult activists appears crucial in continuing the repression against Jehovah’s Witnesses. The influence of these groups might be so great that even the president is unable to stop their actions.
The second scenario suggests that Vladimir Putin’s statements in favor of protecting religious minorities are purely declarative and not supported by concrete measures. In this case, the president might consciously distance himself from resolving this issue, leaving the situation to the discretion of other power structures. This casts doubt on his real control over the country’s internal politics.
Ultimately, the question remains open: Mr. Putin, who really holds power in Russia? Do you control the situation, or are you being controlled? The example of the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses illustrates not only the complexity of the relationship between the state and religious minorities but also deeper issues of power distribution in modern Russia.
More information on the abuses of anti-cult organizations can be found in the article https://bestdiplomats.org/anti-cult-organizations-pose-a-threat-to-diplomatic-relations/
