Kiev bans the activity of religious organizations linked to Russia

Next week, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will consider a bill to ban the activity of religious organizations in Ukraine , especially those connected to Russia.

The deputy chairperson of the parliamentary committee on information policy in the Verkhovna Rada, Evgenia Kravchuk, announced this on "Facebook", reports Ukrinform, quoted by BTA.

“The Verkhovna Rada will consider Bill No. 8371 next week as the first item on the agenda! Today, the Committee on Information Policy unanimously approved the amendments to Bill No. 8371 and recommended that the Parliament adopt it in its second reading and in its entirety”, Kravchuk wrote.

She also mentioned the main changes in the revised document.

In particular, the new name of the bill was approved - “On protection of the constitutional order in the field of activity of religious organizations”. Earlier, the document was called “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine”.

The deadlines for entry into force of some legal acts were also changed. In particular, it is assumed that the law will come into force 30 days after its publication, and the clause that allows the cabinet to prepare relevant regulations for the implementation of the law will come into force the day after its publication.

According to Kravchuk, editorial changes were also made from the point of view of compliance of the document with all codes of Ukraine and administrative law.

Another important amendment concerns religious organizations that have no ties to Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

“We made a clarification regarding the preferential use of state and municipal property for religious purposes - free rental of premises by religious organizations for holding services, ceremonies and other events. However, we have added a precaution so that there are no abuses - such use is possible only in accordance with the procedure approved by the Council of Ministers, she said.

Kravchuk emphasized that the bill is based on the idea that the state does not ban religious organizations because there is freedom of religion in Ukraine.

“However, there is one important “but“ - cannot have ties with the aggressor country and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The Commission has shown its constructiveness and unity on this issue. Likewise, in the coming week, we rely on constructiveness and unity to ensure Ukraine's spiritual independence. Next week will be a historic moment“, she said.

In January 2023, the Ukrainian government registered in the Verkhovna Rada bill No. 8371 on the prohibition of religious organizations in Ukraine, according to which the activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate (UPC-MP) can be terminated.

On October 19, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill in the first reading.

On July 23, Ukrainian deputies blocked the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada because of a refusal to consider the bill to ban the UOC-MP, thus interrupting the plenary session of the Ukrainian parliament, notes Ukrinform.