Poturaev: Bill 8371 will be “enhanced” with Kniazhytsky’s and SBU’s drafts

Mykyta Poturaev. Photo: ukrinform.ua

In preparation for the second reading of the government bill No. 8371 aimed at prohibiting the UOC, its provisions are being strengthened with elements from alternative legislative initiatives. This was reported by the head of the parliamentary committee on humanitarian and information policy, Mykyta Poturaev, in a comment to pravda.com.ua.

He stated that the committee had already approved two sets of amendments.

"The first one partially considers 'Kniazhytsky's project,' but only in relation to the definitions of the ROC and similar matters, without 'the state OCU'," the MP told the publication. "The second package relates to simplifying the procedures for transitioning between different jurisdictions. For example, monasteries will be able to transition based on their own decision without the consent of diocesan bishops or the UOC Synod. Moreover, they want to integrate the provisions of yet another alternative project, humorously referred to by deputies as 'Maliuk's bill,' named after the head of the SBU."

Poturaev mentioned that the committee is considering that a consolidated text of the draft law may be developed by the end of November or the beginning of December.

As reported by the UOJ, draft law No. 8221 authored by the MP from "European Solidarity," Mykola Kniazhytsky, proposes to prohibit the activities of religious organizations on the territory of Ukraine that are part of the structure of the ROC or subordinate to it in canonical, organizational, and other matters. Additionally, according to the document, only religious organizations that are subordinate to the OCU can use the words "Orthodox" or "Orthodox Church" in their names.

Draft law No. 10126, initiated by the head of the SBU, envisages the liquidation of religious organizations through the court in case their representatives commit crimes under articles related to "war propaganda," "incitement to interreligious discord," "terrorism," "planning, preparation, unleashing, and waging of an aggressive war," "violations of the laws and customs of war," "genocide," and "mercenary activities." The author of the project is Mykyta Poturaev.

The UOJ also reported that MPs introduced 1,200 amendments to draft law No. 8371.

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