Zelensky signs law banning activities of religious organisations linked to Russia in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law banning the activities of religious organizations associated with Russia in Ukraine.

This is stated in the law card.

«The draft Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Activities of Religious Organisations in Ukraine» (hereinafter referred to as the draft Law) was developed to prevent the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine whose governing center (management) is located outside Ukraine in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine,» the explanatory note to the draft law states.

It is mentioned that this decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine was made to ensure spiritual independence. The law is also aimed at preventing a split in society on religious grounds. It should promote the consolidation of Ukrainian society and protect the national interests.

The law was sent to the president for signature yesterday, August 23. Zelenskyy signed it on Independence Day.

About the law

As a reminder, on August 20, the Verkhovna Rada passed a bill banning religious organizations in Ukraine. It is popularly known as the «law banning the UOC-MP.» The document does not directly refer to the UOC-MP; rather, it applies to all religious organizations affiliated with the aggressor country.

In order to prove that the UOC-MP is indeed affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, a nine-month process must take place. If the UOC-MP does not voluntarily renounce the Russian Orthodox Church after this process, the case will go to court.

At a previous meeting of the Rada, the leadership of the Servant of the People party initially refused to submit a bill to restrict the activities of the UOC-MP. In response, MPs from different factions and groups blocked the rostrum and staged a protest, demanding that the bill be put to a vote at the next meeting.

The Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy warned about a campaign to discredit the draft law.

Earlier, MP Oleksandr Aliksiychuk from the Servant of the People faction told Hromadske Radio that there was no consensus among the faction members on the draft law. About 65% of the faction’s members were ready to support it in a vote. There was also a possibility that some MPs were bribed to disrupt the vote on the bill.