Important Clarification

“FECRIS is a federation of some thirty European and some non-European associations providing support and assistance for victims of undue influence and their families.

Various publications regularly suggest that there is a Russian FECRIS. This information is inaccurate. Member associations and Correspondents may not use the FECRIS name: they are legally autonomous and may mention their membership as a member or correspondent of FECRIS, but may not commit FECRIS through their actions, remarks, publications, nor represent it, without the explicit and precise agreement of the President in consultation with the Board. The Federation cannot be held responsible for the activities, texts, or statements of the associations it federates.

The Russian member or correspondent associations and their members have been formally excluded because their positions do not conform with the fundamental values of FECRIS.”

Statement

FECRIS is regularly and systematically attacked by an organised movement that supports cults and sectarian groups. Some people or groups are currently using the Russian Ukrainian conflict as a pretext to falsely label FECRIS as pro-Russian, forgetting in particular that FECRIS counts Ukrainian associations among its members.

What is excessive is insignificant and these harassing and defamatory remarks will not dampen the determination of FECRIS to remain at the service of associations which, on a daily basis, mobilise to help the victims of sectarian aberrations of all kinds.

FECRIS is a non-dogmatic association which does not judge individual religious or philosophical choices but stands by the victims.

On 24 February 2022, the armies of the Russian Federation invaded and attacked Ukraine without any respect for international rules. This aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign state, was immediately condemned by the various European and international institutions.

This invasion, as well as the retaliatory measures taken by the Russian President against dissident Russian civil society and the threats made against States opposing his war policy, have prompted FECRIS, the European Federation of Research and Information Centres on Cults and Sects, an INGO with participatory status with the Council of Europe and a member of its Conference of INGOs, a member of the UNO, with Ukrainian and Russian associations within its ranks, to join in condemning the Russian military aggression against the Ukrainian population and their legitimate authorities. FECRIS joins the various NGOs in supporting Ukrainian civil society, which has been unfairly affected.

European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects