Expert: Poroshenko's bill is dangerous not only for UOC

Religious expert Yuri Reshetnikov. Photo: UOJ

The religious expert, chairman of the State Committee for Nationalities and Religions in 2009-2010, Yuri Reshetnikov, said that bill No. 5101, initiated by Petro Poroshenko and deputies of the European Solidarity party, poses a danger not only for the UOC but also for other religious organizations, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department.

“Despite the fact that the authors of the bill were guided by their hatred of the UOC, the grounds they proposed to terminate the activities of a religious organization in court can be applied to a significant number of religious organizations of other faiths. The adoption of the bill is dangerous and threatens the observance of freedom of conscience and the activities of religious organizations in accordance with the internal statute," Reshetnikov said.

According to Reshetnikov, “the grounds specified in clause 5 are quite manipulative” and can be interpreted in different ways.

“Under the incitement of religious hatred, you can, if you wish, understand any criticism of other religious communities and their teachings. Under the encroachment on rights and freedoms – calls for a change in the sinful way of life, under the encroachment on health – existing prayer practices, under the violation of the equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs and on other grounds, for example, a refusal to perform church rituals in relation to people who are not faithful to this religious community – a refusal of employment in religious organizations of people leading a sinful lifestyle. The orders of many religious organizations provide for clear restrictions on the possibility of being the clergy for persons with disabilities,” the expert noted.

Let us remind you that on February 18, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine registered bill No. 5101, designed to amend the current Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations. If the bill is approved, the religious organization can be liquidated for "violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state".

As reported earlier, a parliamentary association “For Confessional Peace in Ukraine” was created in the Verkhovna Rada.

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