Spanish Court Backs Right to Label Jehovah’s Witnesses as ‘Destructive Sect’

A Spanish court has ruled that calling Jehovah's Witnesses a "destructive sect" is protected under freedom of expression, rejecting claims of defamation by members of the religious group. The Provincial Court of Madrid upheld a lower court's 2023 decision in favour of the Spanish Association of Jehovah's Witnesses Victims, allowing the organisation to retain its name and continue public criticism of the faith. Judges determined that describing the group as a "destructive sect" does not constitute illegal defamation, even if the label is damaging to its reputation. The court also affirmed that assertions linking membership to health risks, life-threatening situations or psychological harm fall within the scope of free speech protections. The case was initiated by six Jehovah's Witnesses who sought to dissolve the victims' association, arguing that the term "victims" in its name was defamatory. The association's lawyer called the ruling unprecedented, noting it marks the first time a court has explicitly permitted a legally recognised religion to be described in such critical terms. Jehovah's Witnesses, founded in 1870 by Charles Taze Russell, is a US-based Christian movement with approximately nine million adherents globally. The group is known for its door-to-door evangelism and distinct religious teachings, including opposition to blood transfusions. It has pursued legal action in multiple countries against individuals and organisations accused of harming its public image. The Madrid court's decision underscores a judicial emphasis on protecting critical speech, even when directed at established religious institutions. The ruling is not final and remains subject to appeal before Spain's Supreme Court.

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