2 Dec 2022 14:45

Zelensky enacts NSDC decision on certain aspects of activity of religious organizations in Ukraine, personal sanctions

MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has enacted a decision by the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) regarding certain aspects of the activity of religious organizations in Ukraine and personal special economic and other restrictions (sanctions) by his executive order.

According to the Ukrainian media, the order was published on the presidential website on December 1 and took effect on the publishing date.

The NSDC tasked the Ukrainian government with submitting a bill to the Verkhovna Rada within two months to prevent the activity of religious organizations affiliated with the centers of influence in Russia in the Ukrainian territory, consistent with the norms of international law on the freedom of conscience and the Ukrainian obligations undertaken in the accession to the Council of Europe.

The government was also tasked with the immediate inclusion of the Ukrainian State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience in the ranks of central executive authorities whose activity is directed and coordinated directly by the government and to ensure the functional subordination to the State Service for Ethnic Policy of local administration divisions overseeing the provision of the freedom of conscience and religion and the activity of religious organizations.

In addition, the government shall arrange within two months the verification of legal grounds and the compliance with the terms of use by religious organizations of the property in the Kiev Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve.

The NSDC also tasked the State Service for Ethnic Policy to hold within two months, consistent with the Ukrainian Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, of a religious examination of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's administrative charter for canonical church relationship with the Moscow Patriarchate and to make measures envisaged by the law in this connection.

In addition, the NSDC supported the proposals by the Security Service of Ukraine to impose personal special economic and other restrictive measures on individuals.