DESS expert comments on Cabinet's resolution to ban UOC

OCU lobbyist and freelance expert of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Andriy Smirnov commented on the recent decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which defines the procedure for implementing anti-church law No. 3894, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Smirnov confirmed that the state is thus taking over controlling functions in the religious sphere. He said this in a commentary to the Obozrevatel publication.

“This Procedure defines the procedure for investigating the existence of signs of affiliation of a religious organization operating in Ukraine with a foreign religious organization whose activities in Ukraine are prohibited in accordance with Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activity of Religious Organizations’ established by part two of Article 51 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activity of Religious Organizations’. Given the considerable attention paid to this issue, it is important to note that this step not only restricts the activities of certain religious organizations, but also forms a new practice of interaction between the state and religious institutions. The government takes on the role not only of an organizer but also of a supervisor of the activities of religious structures, ensuring national security and sovereignty of Ukraine in the religious sphere,” – Smirnov said.

As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the procedure according to which the process of implementing the anti-church law No. 3894 aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be implemented. According to the document, the State Emergency Service undertakes to create a special group that will check religious communities of the UOC for affiliation with Russia.