Russia criminalizes blasphemy: jail time for insulting religion
A bill imposing jail terms of up to three years on those who offend religious believers is set to become law in Russia. The new blasphemy law was approved by the State Duma in Moscow on Tuesday, June 11.
According to the bill, “public actions expressing clear disrespect for society and committed with the goal of offending religious feelings of the faithful” would be punishable with jail terms of up to one year and fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($9,200). While “publicly expressing clear disrespect to believers, including actions undertaken at places of worship,” would be punishable by up to three years in prison, fines of up to 500,000 rubles, and compulsory correctional labor.
In addition to passing the new anti-blasphemy law, the country’s lower house of Parliament also passed a bill to outlaw activism by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and their supporters.
Both new pieces of legislation are being promoted by a large portion of the Russian political establishment, and not surprisingly, both are strongly backed by the Russian Orthodox Church.
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