The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has responded to the draft law passed by the parliament banning religious organizations associated with the Russian Federation. They believe that the draft law does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Ukraine and needs to be revised.

"The draft law 8371, which was voted in the first reading by the Rada, is not a law yet adopted, but a draft that does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Ukraine," the UOC-MP said in a statement.

According to the lawyers of the UOC-MP, this draft law violates the right to freedom of religion of Ukrainian citizens who belong to the UOC and also contains significant flaws in legal technique.

"Undoubtedly, the adoption of this draft law will indicate that human rights and freedoms, for which our state is also fighting, are losing their meaning," the statement reads.


As we reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada supported in the first reading a draft law banning religious organizations associated with Russia.