“We hope deputies will not pass this law,” - expert on the ban of the UOC

The head of the department for interaction with religious communities of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience, Vyacheslav Goroshkov, has commented on the scandalous draft law No 8371 aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Goroshkov noted that the said draft law, in its current wording, does not comply with the Ukrainian and European norms of legislation in terms of freedom of religion, which is why it should not be adopted. The expert told about this in an interview with the publication “Apostrophe”.

“That law, which was developed by the government, which was voted in the first reading, offered a specific mechanism of embodiment. Moreover — those norms that were proposed, corresponded to international standards, there were numerous communications with foreign parties, there was understanding on their part. The amendments submitted for the second reading contain provisions that contradict international obligations. We have no idea how we will be able to defend this law if these amendments are voted down. Moreover, how will this law be implemented? Will it not turn into a dead law? Another point — if this law does not comply with Ukraine’s international obligations, there will definitely be lawsuits in the European Court of Human Rights. Won’t it be a disgrace for Ukraine when people win lawsuits and the Ukrainian state will have to compensate it with money?”, — the expert commented.

Gorshkov added that the SSEFC hopes that MPs will pay attention to the recommendations they propose, as well as the fact that the bill No. 8371 will not be voted down.

“We do not lose hope that an understanding will come to our deputies that it is not necessary to pass a law that will cause more problems than solutions. In addition, it is necessary to take into account not only international norms, to which Ukraine has signed, but also the current legislation, because there too, it should be understood that religious communities can exist without registration, without informing local or state authorities about their existence”, — concluded the official of the State service.

We shall remind you that earlier Ludmyla Filipovych, Doctor of Philosophy, professor at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commented on the failed attempt of the Verkhovna Rada deputies to vote in favor of the bill No. 8371, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Filipovych said that the adoption of the law in the current version would put an end to the history of religious freedom in Ukraine.