Poroshenko signs anti-church bill No. 5309

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

On December 22, 2018, Petro Poroshenko signed anti-church bill No. 5309, reports the website of the Presidential Administration.

"President Petro Poroshenko has signed the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations’ regarding the name of religious organizations that belong to (are part of) a religious organization whose governing center is located outside Ukraine ... ", - says the statement.

“People have the constitutional right to free choice of religion or belief. These changes to the law create better conditions for the realization of such a right for those who will decide which Orthodox jurisdiction to belong to ... Either to the newly created autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine or to the Church that insists on maintaining its connection and dependence on the ROC," said the President, signing the law.

According to the Head of State, the changes to the law are consistent with the principles of freedom of religion and equality of all faiths, there will be no restriction on the constitutional rights of citizens.

On December 20, 240 MPs voted in favour of bill No. 5309, which obliges the UOC to change its name. As reported, the head of the Legal Department of the UOC Protopriest Alexander Bakhov said that any attempts by state authorities to force the religious association (Church) to change its name are illegal and violate international law.

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