Estonian Court Rules Ban on Estonian Orthodox Church Lawful

The highest judicial authority of Estonia has recognized the amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes as constitutional. The judges ruled that the new norms do not entail arbitrary termination of religious associations' activities and do not violate freedom of religion. This is reported by Interfax.

Estonian authorities initiated this law to pressure the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC). The government and parliament demanded severing ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, changing the charter and name of the structure. Otherwise, officials threatened to declare the Church outlawed due to its unity with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Legal advisor to the president Hent Kalmo stated that Moscow's influence allegedly undermines the country's sovereignty and democracy. At the same time, six out of 17 judges of the State Court expressed a dissenting opinion and indicated that the law does not comply with the principle of legal clarity.

The Estonian Parliament adopted this document back in September 2025. President Alar Karis twice refused to sign the law and demanded the elimination of disproportionate restrictions on citizens' rights to freedom of association. However, the deputies ignored the head of state's proposals and re-approved the text in its previous form.

In response, the president submitted a petition to the State Court as the last resort, but the judges ultimately sided with the government. Immediately after the verdict was announced, the president's office reported that the head of the republic had signed the document.

As SPJ reported, the Church of Estonia responded to accusations of threatening the constitutional order, refuting claims about coordination of EOC activities by the Moscow Patriarchate. The Church stated that it functions independently, expressing readiness for cooperation with state structures.

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