Yeltsin Refuses to Sign Measure to Restrict Western Missionaries

Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin has rejected a proposed new law to restrict the activity of Western missionaries and has asked lawmakers to consider revisions.

Yeltsin’s decision not to sign the measure into law, at least until it is revised, was apparently prompted by a desire for “a more democratic version,” according to Peter Deyneka of Russian Ministries, a Wheaton, Ill., organization that specializes in cross-cultural orientation for Western missionaries entering Russia.

As it stands, the proposal would require foreign missionaries to establish formal links to Russian religious groups or obtain accreditation from the state.

Russian lawmakers’ approval of the measure on July 14 was denounced by U.S. missions groups, primarily evangelical, and prompted letter-writing campaigns to Yeltsin imploring him to withhold his signature.

Parliament member Goleb Yakunin said Yeltsin objected to the section of the proposed law that limits “religious-missionary, publishing or advertising-propaganda” activity because it would contradict international human rights agreements.