The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law banning the activities of the Russian Church in Ukraine
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the draft law, which prohibits the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and its affiliated organizations on the territory of Ukraine. The draft law was adopted in the second reading and received the support of 265 people’s deputies. About this reported people’s deputy from the “Voice” party Yaroslav Zheleznyak in his Telegram channel.
According to the new law, the activities of religious organizations that have connections with centers of influence located in the Russian Federation are prohibited. The law also provides that the religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UPC MP) will have nine months to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. The law will enter into force 30 days after its official publication, with the exception of the specified clause about the UOC MP.
The distribution of votes among factions was as follows:
- “Servant of the people” – 173 votes;
- “European solidarity” – 25 votes;
- “Batkivshchyna” – 17 votes;
- “Platform for life and peace” – 1 vote;
- “For the future” – 9 votes;
- “Voice” – 18 votes;
- “Trust” – 11 votes;
- “Restoration of Ukraine” – 0 votes;
- Non-factional – 11 votes.
The main provisions of the law:
- According to the changes in Art. 5 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” does not allow the activities of religious organizations affiliated with churches whose management centers are located in Russia.
- In case of violation of this law, the activity of a religious organization may be terminated in a court of law at the request of the central executive body responsible for the implementation of state policy in the field of religion, or at the request of the prosecutor.
The law enters into force one month after its publication, after signing by the president.
