European Court Backs Scientology Church in Registration Bid

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European Court Backs Scientology Church in Registration Bid

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In a decision published on their web site early Thursday morning, the
European Court of Human Rights stated the City of Moscow "had no legal
basis" to deny registration for the Church of Scientology of Moscow as a religious
community, bringing to an end a decade-long legal battle with a victory for the
Church.

The Church of Scientology
International called this unanimous decision “a
precedent-setting ruling that will help guarantee these rights for people of
all faiths.”

The Scientology church operated in Moscow
legally from 1994-97, when a change in the law required all religious groups to
get reregistered. Those that failed to do so faced the threat of dissolution by
a judicial order.  But when then attempted to re-register, the city refused them permission, starting  ten years of litigation.

The EU Court stated in its opinion that "freedom of
thought, conscience and religion is one of the foundations of a 'democratic
society' within the meaning of the Convention,” describing this as “a precious
asset,” and went on to say “The pluralism indissociable from a democratic
society, which has been dearly won over the centuries, depends on it."

The Court pointed out that “the ability to establish a
legal entity in order to act collectively in a field of mutual interest is one
of the most important aspects of freedom of association, without which that
right would be deprived of any meaning,” and that “freedom of religion
encompasses the expectation that the community will be allowed to function peacefully,
free from arbitrary State intervention."

UK
solicitor Peter Hodkin, who represented the Scientology Church in court stated,
“This case signals the end of discrimination towards the religious community of
Scientologists by government authorities across Europe.”

The European Court of Human Rights enforces the European
Convention on Human Rights, which Russia
and 45 other countries have signed.