Bill #4511: Commentary of the Legal Department of the UOC

The head of the Legal Department of the UOC Archpriest Alexander Bakhov commented on the legal aspects of bill #4511 "On special status of religious organizations, whose senior centers are located in the state recognized by the Verkhovna Rada as an aggressor country" dated April 22, 2016. This is reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The draft law provides for the introduction of a special status to certain religious organizations and the need to conclude agreements between them and the state. A separate article of the bill suggests that the appointment of the central and regional leadership of religious organizations is carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, explains Father Alexander Bakhov.

The head of the Legal Department of the UOC considers these provisions to be contrary to the Law of Ukraine "On freedom of conscience and religious organizations", the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. "I admit that the agreement may have items which oblige not only to" respect other religious organizations ", and to recognize them as canonical ones. And, in case of refusal to sign such an agreement, a religious organization activity will be stopped."

By analysing the articles of the bill, the legal expert concludes that its provisions imply a significant limitation of the rights to freedom of personal philosophy and religion, as well as government interference in the activities of religious organizations.

We recall that earlier a full text of the bill and expert commentary on its main provisions have been published on the UOJ website.

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