Ukrainian Parliament Committee Backs Revamped Bill Targeting Religious Organizations
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine – File Pic WIKI
UOJ and OCP News Service – 17/08/2024
Kyiv – Ukraine: The Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy has approved a revised version of Bill 8371, a controversial piece of legislation that initially aimed to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
According to social media posts by People’s Deputies Volodymyr Vyatrovich and Iryna Gerashchenko, the committee unanimously supported the bill for second reading and final passage.
Key Changes and Next Steps:
- New Name: A significant change is the bill’s new title – “On the protection of the constitutional order in the sphere of activities of religious organizations.”
- Immediate Action: One provision will become effective immediately after publication, authorizing the Cabinet of Ministers to begin drafting related regulations.
- Delayed Enforcement: The bulk of the bill will take effect 30 days after publication.
- Plenary Session: Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Evgeniya Kravchuk, states the bill will be considered during the upcoming plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada.
Background:
- Ban on UOC? Bill 8371 was initially proposed to ban the activities of the UOC, which maintains ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
- “Spiritual Independence”: President Zelensky has previously urged the Rada to address the issue of “spiritual independence” for Ukraine, prompting concerns about the future of religious freedom in the country.
Unresolved Issue:
The revised bill’s content and potential impact on religious organizations like the UOC remain unclear. The upcoming plenary session will reveal the final shape of the legislation and its potential consequences.
Source:
OCP News Service
