The President of Estonia has once again vetoed amendments to the law "On churches and parishes", which would have made it possible to ban the EOCC

Estonian President Alar Karis has once again vetoed amendments to the state law “On Churches and Parishes,” through which the republic’s parliament planned to ban the activities of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The head of state noted that the law, despite having been repeatedly revised in parliament, still contradicts certain articles of the Estonian Constitution. This was reported by ERR.EE.

“Although the Riigikogu has made some changes to the text of the «Law on Amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes,» this is not enough. It still contradicts three articles of the Constitution and disproportionately restricts freedom of association and religion. Activities aimed at exerting influence should be prevented, but to do so, it is necessary to more precisely define which foreign connections are dangerous. The explanatory note to the law explicitly states that, in addition to regulating administrative relations, there is also an desire to regulate church teachings and religious rites. There are other effective levers to combat activities aimed at exerting influence, so such broad intervention is unnecessary. In addition, the concept of “threat” is defined so broadly in the law that, according to the wording of the law, it is sufficient that violence was once justified, decades ago or even earlier. Thus, religious associations are also subject to the law, and the ban on relations with them clearly does not correspond to the purpose of the law,» — President Karis noted.

Earlier, we reported that the head of the Estonian Metropolis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople (Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Stefan, approved the Estonian parliament’s adoption of amendments to the law aimed at banning the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (part of the Moscow Patriarchate). The bishop claims that the law effectively banning the EOC is necessary in order to “strengthen national security.” In addition, the Phanar hierarch once again invited the clergy and faithful of the EOC to join the Patriarchate of Constantinople.