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Palestine: Rights experts call for stronger torture prevention measures

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United Nations News
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Palestine: Rights experts call for stronger torture prevention measures

The members of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) issued the appeal after concluding their first visit to the State of Palestine, conducted from 10 to 21 September.

Daniel Fink, who headed the delegation, said they received full cooperation from the Palestinian Authority to visit locations in the West Bank, “but we regret that, despite all efforts, we were unable to visit detention facilities in Gaza.” 

The Palestinian Authority has administrative control over the West Bank while the militant group Hamas rules the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli blockade for more than 15 years.

High-level meetings 

The delegation visited 18 detention places in different locations in the West Bank, including prisons, police stations, facilities of the security forces, a psychiatric hospital and a military detention centre.

Members met with high-level officials, including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior, who coordinates the National Team for Monitoring the State’s Commitments. 

They also held meetings with other State authorities, and the Independent Commission on Human Rights, involving its Gaza branch. 

Establish monitory mechanism 

The experts recalled that Palestine has been a party to the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol since 2014 and 2017, respectively. 

States that ratify the Optional Protocol give the SPT the right to visit their places of detention and examine the treatment of people held there.

They said the Government has done much in the interim, pointing to recent positive relevant amendments to the penal code.

However, they remain concerned over the implementation of torture prevention measures during detention and the effective establishment of a monitory body, officially called the national preventive mechanism (NPM).

The delegation also engaged with entities working on drafting legislation related to the NPM and Mr. Fink expressed hope that their visit will prompt its swift formation.

“In particular, we look forward to seeing an independent body that can carry out its mandate in accordance with the State’s legal international obligations, including unannounced visits to any places of deprivation of liberty,” he added.

About UN experts

The SPT is composed of 25 independent and impartial experts from across the globe who monitor adherence to the Optional Protocol, which has been ratified by 93 countries.

They were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva, and are neither UN staff nor are they paid for their work.

Four members visited the State of Palestine, accompanied by two human rights officers from the SPT Secretariat.

The delegation will submit a confidential report to the Palestinian authority in the coming months, which they hope will be made public.  

 

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Liège, cradle of art: exceptional museums and galleries to explore

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NewsdeskTET
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Liège, cradle of art: exceptional museums and galleries to explore

Located in Belgium, the city of Liège is a true artistic gem. Known for its rich cultural past, it is full of exceptional museums and galleries worth exploring. Whether you are a fan of modern, classic or contemporary art, Liège will satisfy all your artistic desires.

One of the city’s must-see museums is the Boverie Museum. Housed in a magnificent 19th century building, this museum houses an impressive collection of works of art spanning from ancient times to the present day. There you can admire paintings, sculptures, photographs and many other forms of art. The Boverie Museum also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, offering a renewed artistic experience with each visit.

If you are passionate about contemporary art, don’t miss the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, also called MAMAC. This museum highlights contemporary Belgian and international artists and offers thematic exhibitions that reflect current trends in art. MAMAC is a dynamic venue that also organizes conferences, workshops and artistic performances, providing an immersive experience in the world of contemporary art.

Lovers of classical art will not be left out in Liège. The Curtius Museum is a real treasure for lovers of ancient art. Housed in a sumptuous 16th century residence, this museum houses a collection of works of art ranging from Antiquity to the Renaissance. You will be able to admire sculptures, paintings, antique furniture and many other objects of art which bear witness to the history and artistic wealth of the region.

In addition to these museums, Liège also has many art galleries that are worth a visit. The contemporary art gallery in the town of Chênée is an essential place for lovers of contemporary art. This gallery highlights emerging artists and offers temporary exhibitions that will allow you to discover new talents.

If you are interested in urban art, don’t miss the Liege Street Art gallery. Located in the Saint-Léonard district, this gallery exhibits works by renowned street artists such as ROA and Bosoletti. As you stroll through the streets of Liège, you will also be able to discover numerous frescoes and installations which are an integral part of the city’s urban landscape.

In addition to its museums and galleries, Liège also organizes numerous artistic events throughout the year. Don’t miss the Photography Biennale and the Les Transnumériques festival, which highlight new forms of digital and interactive art. These events are an opportunity to discover innovative artists and participate in unique artistic performances.

In conclusion, Liège is truly the cradle of art in Belgium. With its exceptional museums and galleries, the city offers a unique artistic experience. Whether you are a fan of modern, classic or contemporary art, Liège will seduce you with its artistic diversity and its rich cultural heritage. So don’t hesitate any longer, set off to discover this fascinating city and let yourself be carried away by the magic of art.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Free movement: Schengen reform to ensure border controls only as a last resort

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European Parliament
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Free movement: Schengen reform to ensure border controls only as a last resort

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs backed proposals which would mean border controls within the free movement Schengen area can only be reintroduced when absolutely necessary.

On Wednesday, MEPs adopted a draft report on the reform of the Schengen Borders Code with 39 votes in favour, 13 against, and 12 abstaining, and authorised the start of negotiations with the Council with 49 votes in favour, 14 against, and 0 abstentions. In response to increasingly permanent border controls within the Schengen area, the proposal seeks to clarify rules, strengthen free movement within the EU, and introduce targeted solutions to genuine threats.

MEPs want to ensure a coherent EU response in cases of large-scale public cross-border health emergencies, allowing temporary restrictions on entering the Schengen area, but exempting from them EU citizens, long-term residents and asylum-seekers.

As an alternative to border controls, the new rules would promote police cooperation in border regions. Where third-country nationals with irregular status are apprehended during joint patrols and there is evidence they have arrived directly from another EU country, these people may be transferred to that country if it participates in joint patrols. MEPs want to exclude several categories, including unaccompanied minors, from such returns.


Justified and time-limited border controls, for maximum two years, when necessary

In the text, MEPs propose clear criteria for the imposition of border controls in response to serious threats that endanger the functioning of the Schengen area. There would need to be a justified reason such as an “identified and immediate” threat of terrorism, with tighter time limits for border controls in response to foreseeable threats, up to a maximum of eighteen months. If the threat persists, more border controls could be authorised by a Council decision.

The proposals would also allow for the reintroduction of border controls in several countries when the Commission receives notifications about a particularly serious threat affecting a majority of countries simultaneously, for a period of up to two years.

At the same time, MEPs propose removing certain migration-related concepts from the proposal. They argue that the provisions on the instrumentalisation of migrants (where third countries facilitate or encourage migrants to cross into EU territory with the aim of destabilising countries) should be covered by a separate, dedicated proposal, which EU lawmakers are also currently discussing.


Quote

After the vote, rapporteur Sylvie Guillaume (S&D, France) said: “Protecting the Schengen free movement area and what it represents for 450 million Europeans is at the heart of this report. The negotiations have been difficult, but I am delighted we have managed to safeguard the essence of one of the European Union’s greatest achievements.”


Background

The Parliament has called for a reform of the Schengen Borders Code “to strengthen mutual trust and solidarity, and to safeguard the integrity and full restoration of the Schengen area”, which currently encompasses 27 countries.

In a judgment in April 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that border controls re-installed because of serious threats may not exceed six months, and can only be extended when a new threat arises, unless there are exceptional circumstances putting the overall functioning of the Schengen area at risk.

Reducing pollution in EU groundwater and surface waters

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European Parliament
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Reducing pollution in EU groundwater and surface waters
Photo de Alexander Schimmeck sur Unsplash

Parliament adopted its position on reducing groundwater and surface waters pollution and improving EU water quality standards.

MEPs want the EU watch lists – which contain substances posing a significant risk to human health and the environment – to be updated regularly to keep pace with new scientific evidence and new chemicals. They also want a subset of specific PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) as well as the PFAS total (parameter which includes the totality of PFAS with a maximum concentration) to be added to the lists for both groundwater and surface water pollutants. Several other substances, including microplastics and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms, should also be added to these lists as soon as suitable monitoring methods identified.

The adopted report also includes stricter standards for several pesticides (including glyphosate and atrazine) and pharmaceuticals.

Producers selling products that contain polluting chemical substances should help finance the monitoring costs, an activity currently financed only by member states.

MEPs adopted the report with 495 votes in favour, 12 against and 124 abstentions.

Quote

After the vote, rapporteur Milan Brglez (S&D, SI) said: “The revision of EU water legislation, including the Water Framework Directive and its two daughter directives, is one of the key policy tools to implement our commitments under the Zero-Pollution Action Plan. Enhanced protection of EU waters is extremely important, especially in the context of the ever more pressing impacts of climate change – combined with industrial and agricultural pollution – on our fresh water resources.”

Next steps

MEPs are ready to start the talks on the final shape of the legislation, once Council agrees on its position.

Background

In line with the European Green Deal’s zero pollution ambition, the Commission tabled in October 2022 a proposal to revise the lists of surface water and groundwater pollutants that need to be monitored and controlled to protect the EU’s freshwater bodies. The new legislation updates the Water Framework Directive, the Groundwater Directive and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (Surface Water Directive).

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to protect and restore ecosystems and eliminate pollution, as expressed in proposals 2(4) and 2(7) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

World News in Brief: Ukraine nuclear plant update, Sudan health crisis, reproductive rights

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United Nations News
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World News in Brief: Ukraine nuclear plant update, Sudan health crisis, reproductive rights

Addressing the opening of the IAEA’s General Conference in Vienna on Monday, Mr. Grossi said that 53 missions mobilizing more than 100 agency staff have been deployed as part of a continued presence inside Ukraine’s five nuclear power plants.

These include the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, or ZNPP, on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, where Mr. Grossi said that the situation remained “very fragile”.

‘Courageous service’ by IAEA staff

The ZNPP is controlled by Russian forces but operated by its Ukrainian staff. It is Europe’s largest nuclear plant and the IAEA has been monitoring the situation there since the early days of the conflict.

In a message read out at the opening of the General Conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he applauded the “courageous service” of IAEA personnel stationed at the plant. He pledged that the UN will continue to do “all it can” to ensure the safe rotation of experts operating across Ukraine’s five nuclear facilities.

Chad: Sudan refugee health crisis escalating warns WHO

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent funding support in the face of a growing health crisis in eastern Chad, where over 400,000 people have fled the brutal military civil war in Sudan during the past five months.

The Senior Advisor to WHO’s regional office for Africa, Dr Ramesh Krishnamurthy, stressed the need to “ramp up” interventions in the areas of primary healthcare, mental health, maternal and child health, as well as nutrition. 

WHO said on Sunday that in a recent screening in Chad, nearly 13,000 children under five were found to be acutely malnourished.

Hospital admissions of children with malnutrition have increased by more than half across the province of Ouaddaï, which is hosting more than 80 per cent of refugees from neighbouring Sudan.

In Ouaddaï, the UN health agency has continued to deliver critical aid to the town of Adré just a few hundred metres from the Sudanese border, working with partners to support the incoming refugees with health services, vaccination and medicines.

To date, WHO has delivered 80 metric tonnes of supplies to Adré, most recently handing over beds and mattresses to support medical and surgical care.

Reproductive rights must be respected in crises

States must ensure the right to sexual and reproductive health without discrimination, in particular in humanitarian crises, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Monday.

The experts, who include the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health Tlaleng Mofokeng, warned of an “exacerbated” risk of violations of sexual and reproductive health rights in situations of emergency, humanitarian or conflict settings.

Women and girls are especially vulnerable to serious harm, the experts said, and urged countries to ensure access to modern contraceptive methods including emergency contraception, and access to legal and safe abortion.

They called for training for healthcare providers on safe abortion and aftercare, where resources are limited.

Welcoming decriminalisation

The experts also welcomed the “decriminalisation of abortion in some countries”. Earlier this month, Mexico’s Supreme Court abolished all federal criminal penalties for abortion and ruled that national laws prohibiting it were unconstitutional.

According to WHO, ensuring women and girls have access to safe, respectful and non-discriminatory abortion care is fundamental to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals relating to good health and well-being as well as gender equality.

WHO has also said that while contraceptive services are fundamental to health and human rights, over 200 million women in developing regions have an unmet need for contraception.

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An ocean beneath the surface of the moon Europa is the source of carbon dioxide

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Gaston de Persigny
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Astronomers analyzing data from the James Webb telescope have identified carbon dioxide in a specific region on the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa, reported AFP and the press service of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The carbon dioxide is from an ocean beneath Europa’s surface, not brought to this moon by meteorites or other external objects. The discovery fuels hopes that this hidden water contains life.

Scientists are convinced that a vast ocean of salty water lies several tens of kilometers below the icy surface of Europa, making Jupiter’s moon an ideal candidate for extraterrestrial life in the Solar System. Carbon dioxide, which, along with water, is a fundamental component of life, has already been detected on Europa, but scientists could not determine its origin.

For this purpose, two American research teams used data from the James Webb telescope and published the results of their analysis in the journal Nature. The largest amounts of carbon dioxide are found in an area 1,800 kilometers wide known as the Tara region.

The first study used information from James Webb to determine whether the carbon dioxide could come from a source external to Europa, such as a meteorite. The conclusion is that the carbon came from an internal source, possibly Europa’s inner ocean, Samantha Trumbo, a planetary explorer at Cornell University and lead author of the study, told AFP.

The second study also concluded that the carbon came from Europa, one of Jupiter’s three icy moons.

Illustrative Photo by Joonas kääriäinen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/clouds-under-full-moon-239107/

Tournai: a journey through time in the heart of Wallonia

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NewsdeskTET
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Tournai: a journey through time in the heart of Wallonia

Located in the heart of Wallonia, the city of Tournai is a real journey back in time. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, it offers visitors a unique immersion in the history of the region.

Tournai, also known as Tournai-la-Grande, is the oldest city in Belgium. Founded by the Romans more than 2000 years ago, it has had a tumultuous history marked by invasions, wars and successive reconstructions.

The city center of Tournai is a true architectural treasure. Notre-Dame Cathedral, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, is one of the city’s jewels. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, it is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Belgium. With its five naves and its 83 meter high tower, it proudly dominates the city and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

Not far from the cathedral is the Belfry, another symbol of Tournai. Built in the 12th century, it is the oldest belfry in Belgium and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From its height of 72 meters, it offers a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. The Belfry also houses the History and Archeology Museum, which traces the history of Tournai through an impressive collection of objects and documents.

Strolling through the cobbled streets of the city, you discover many other architectural treasures. The Renaissance and Baroque style houses bear witness to the city’s past wealth. Among the most remarkable, we can cite the Maison de la Louve, the Maison de Lalaing and the Maison du Roi.

Tournai is also known for its museums. The Museum of Fine Arts houses an important collection of paintings, sculptures and art objects, ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The Tapestry Museum is dedicated to the art of tapestry, a tradition that dates back to medieval times. Finally, the Natural History Museum offers an immersion in the world of the region’s fauna and flora.

But Tournai is not limited to its architectural and cultural heritage. The city is also famous for its gastronomy. Local specialties, such as waffles, Liégeoise dumplings and Flemish stews, will delight visitors’ taste buds. The city’s many restaurants and brasseries offer tasty and authentic cuisine.

Tournai is also a lively city, where many events and festivals take place throughout the year. The Tournai Carnival, one of the oldest in Belgium, attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Pentecost festivals, with their folk processions and traditional dances, are also very popular.

Finally, the surroundings of Tournai offer numerous opportunities for walks and discoveries. The hilly landscapes of Wallonia, crossed by numerous hiking trails, invite visitors to recharge their batteries in the great outdoors. History buffs can also visit the region’s many castles and archaeological sites.

In conclusion, Tournai is a true pearl of Wallonia. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, its museums, its gastronomy and its numerous events, it offers visitors a journey back in time to the heart of the region. Whether you are a lover of art, history or nature, Tournai will seduce the curious in search of authenticity and discoveries.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Anti-coercion instrument: the EU’s new weapon to protect trade

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EuropeanTimes
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Anti-coercion instrument: the EU’s new weapon to protect trade

The anti-coercion instrument will be the EU’s new tool to fight economic threats and unfair trade restrictions by non-EU countries.

Why does the EU need a new tool to tackle trade conflicts?

Global trade can help to boost wealth and create jobs. However, sometimes countries resort to blackmail or trade restrictions to give their companies an unfair advantage, leading to trade conflicts with the EU.

As this is becoming more frequent, additional tools are needed


Read more about the EU’s trade defence instruments

China’s coercion of Lithuania

The anti-coercion instrument will help the EU deal with countries restricting trade to try to force a change in EU policies. One example is the trade restrictions China imposed on Lithuania after it announced it was improving trade relations with Taiwan in June 2021.

A few months after the announcement, Lithuanian companies reported difficulties renewing or concluding contracts with Chinese firms. They also had issues with shipments not being cleared and not being able to file customs paperwork. Parliament has denounced China’s economic coercion of Lithuania in several resolutions.

What measures can the EU currently take to resolve trade conflicts?

The EU can make use of a range of anti-dumping measures. The EU can impose fines on non-EU countries if they are found to be dumping products in Europe. The fine takes the form of anti-dumping duties or tariffs on the dumped products.

The EU is also a member of the World Trade Organization, which can help to resolve disputes between members. However, procedures can take a very long time and don’t cover all infringements.

How will the anti-coercion instrument work?

The aim of the anti-coercion tool is to act as a deterrent, allowing the EU to resolve trade conflicts through negotiation.

However, as a last resort it could be used to launch countermeasures against a non-EU country, including a wide range of restrictions related to trade, investment and funding.

Next steps

Parliament and Council reached an agreement on the final text of the legislation on 6 June 2023, which was backed by Parliament’s international trade committee on 26 June 2023.

MEPs are expected to vote on the agreement during the plenary session on 2-5 October. After that the Council will have to approve it before it can enter into force.

Namur, a gourmet city: discover its cuisine and local specialties

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NewsdeskTET
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Namur, a gourmet city: discover its cuisine and local specialties

Namur, located in Belgium, is a picturesque city that enchants its visitors with its architectural beauty and warm atmosphere. But what makes Namur even more attractive is its delicious cuisine and local specialties that reflect the gastronomic richness of the region.

Namur cuisine is renowned for its simplicity and authenticity. Here, dishes are prepared with fresh, local produce, highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients. The people of Namur attach particular importance to the quality of the products used in their cuisine, which results in tasty and generous dishes.

One of the most famous specialties of Namur is the “tarte al djote”. This tart made with chard, cheese and shortcrust pastry is a delight for the taste buds. Chard, also known as “djote” in the local dialect, is a green plant used in many traditional dishes in the region. The al djote tart is often enjoyed with a local beer to accompany this succulent dish.

Another Namur specialty is “stoemp”. It is a dish made from mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables such as carrots, spinach or cabbage. Stoemp is often served with sausages or ham, creating a perfect marriage between the mild flavors of the vegetables and the salty taste of the meat. This simple but delicious dish is a true symphony of flavors that delights the palates of gourmands.

Sweet lovers will not be left out in Namur. The city is famous for its delicious waffles, which are a real institution in Belgium. Namur waffles are distinguished by their light and crispy texture, as well as their generous topping of icing sugar. They can be enjoyed plain, or garnished with fresh fruit, whipped cream or melted chocolate for those with a sweet tooth.

Speaking of chocolate, Namur is also known for its delicious production of artisanal chocolates. Namur chocolatiers use traditional techniques and quality ingredients to create fine and refined chocolates. From praline to truffles to chocolate bars, the chocolatiers of Namur are artists who transform this delight into a true work of art.

To accompany these culinary delights, the people of Namur appreciate local beers. Belgium is famous for its brewing tradition, and Namur is no exception. Local breweries produce a wide range of beers, from light lagers to fuller-bodied browns. Namur beers are renowned for their quality and unique taste, making them the ideal companion for any meal.

In addition to its local cuisine, Namur also offers a variety of restaurants and cafes that offer international cuisine. From Italian restaurants to Asian restaurants to French bistros, travelers can find a wide variety of culinary choices in this foodie city.

In conclusion, Namur is a gourmet city that will satisfy the taste buds of the most demanding visitors. With its authentic cuisine, local specialties and brewing culture, Namur offers a unique culinary experience that will delight all lovers of good food. So, don’t hesitate any longer and come discover the gastronomic treasures of this charming Belgian city. Enjoy your food !

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Over 2000 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses searched in 6 years in Russia

By
Willy Fautre
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0

Since the ban of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2017, more than 2,000 homes of believers have been subjected to lengthy searches. Nearly 400 people were thrown in jail, and 730 believers were criminally charged.

730 JWs criminally charged and 400 jailed

A total of 730 people, including 166 women, have been criminally prosecuted over the past six years, as of June 8, 2023.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Over 2000 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses searched in 6 years in Russia
Zayshchuk Elena

Almost a quarter of all victims of criminal prosecution for their faith are over 60 years old—173 people. The oldest is 89-year-old Elena Zayshchuk from Vladivostok.

In May 2023, during a raid on believers in Novocheboksarsk, Chuvashia, Yuriy Yuskov, an 85-year-old local believer, learned that he was being criminally prosecuted.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS AGAINST JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Searches have taken place in almost every part of Russia—in 77 regions.

The largest numbers were in Krasnoyarsk Territory (119), Primorye Territory (97), Krasnodar Territory (92), Voronezh Region (79), Stavropol Territory (65), Rostov Region (56), Chelyabinsk Region (55), Moscow (54), Trans-Baikal Territory (53), Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area (50), Kemerovo Region (47), Tatarstan (46), Khabarovsk Territory (44), Astrakhan Region (43), and Kirov Region (41). On the peninsula of Crimea, including Sevastopol, Russian authorities conducted a total of 98 searches of the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Here are the largest operations conducted against believers in a single day: 64 searches in Voronezh (July 2020); 35 searches in Sochi (October 2019); 27 searches in Astrakhan (June 2020); 27 searches in Nizhny Novgorod (July 2019); 23 searches in Chita(February 2020); 23 searches in Krasnoyarsk (November 2018); 22 searches in Unecha and Novozybkovo, Bryansk region (June 2019); 22 searches in Birobidzhan (May 2018); 22 searches in Moscow (November 2020); 22 searches in Surgut (February 2019); and 20 searches in Kirsanov, Tambov region (December 2020). 

These are the largest one-day special operations conducted in the last 15 months: 17 searches in Vladivostok (March 2023); 16 searches in Simferopol on the Crimean Peninsula (December 2022); 13 searches in Chelyabinsk (September 2022); and 16 searches in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region (July 2022). 

TESTIMONIES

The special operation in Voronezh in July 2020 was the largest raid on Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Investigative Committee reported that more than 110 searches were conducted. From the regional capital alone, 64 searches were reported. Five believers reported abuse and torture by security forces.

Ten people were sent to pre-trial detention centers. Yuri Galka and Anatoly Yagupov were able to report from the detention center that on the day they were detained, they were suffocated with bags and beaten in an effort to force a confession. In addition, believers Aleksandr Bokov, Dmitry Katyrov, and Aleksandr Korol stated that they were beaten. 

Membero of the Jehovah's Witnesses Tolmachev Andrey
Tolmachev Andrey

During the special operation in Irkutsk, which took place in October 2020, windows and doors in the homes of believers were broken. People were beaten and tortured, such as Anatoly Razdobarov, Nikolai Merinov, and their wives. During medical examinations, these and other believers documented multiple injuries. Andrei Tolmachev, the only son of his retired parents, was beaten to unconsciousness right in front of their eyes during the search. He and seven other local Jehovah’s Witnesses have been confined to a pre-trial detention center for more than 600 days. 

The special operation in Moscow, which took place in November 2020, was widely covered on Russian television. Law enforcement officers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests and carrying automatic rifles broke down doors, threw believers to the floor, and handcuffed or tied their hands behind their backs with plastic clamps. During one search, they first twisted the arms of a neighbor of the believers, but when they realized they had made a mistake, they began breaking down the door to the believers’ apartment. The head of the family had his hands tied, was thrown on the floor, and was hit with the butt of submachine gun on the back. During another search, law enforcers struck 49-year-old Vardan Zakaryan in the head with the butt of an automatic rifle. The believer was hospitalized and kept in the hospital under heavy guard.

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