NSDC decision preventing russian-affiliated religious organizations from operating in Ukraine is in line with state interests — Venislavskyi

The decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, put into effect by the decree of the President of Ukraine, on preventing the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the russian federation in Ukraine, is in line with the interests of the country. Fedir Venislavskyi, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Presidential Representative to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine made this statement at a briefing at Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform.

“The NSDC decision, in my opinion, is in line with the interests of protecting the territorial integrity and state sovereignty of Ukraine. Article 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine states that the protection of state sovereignty and territorial integrity is the most important task of the Ukrainian state, and it concerns everyone. The decision includes the task for the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to develop draft laws that provide for the possibility of restricting those religious organizations’ right to function if they have leadership centers or are managed directly or indirectly from the territory of the aggressor country,” — the People’s Deputy explained.

Venislavskyi reminded that the laws of Ukraine allow restricting the right of citizens to freedom of ideology and religion in case of certain threats.

“Both Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights allow legitimate restrictions on the right of citizens to freedom of ideology and religion in case of certain threats. The Law of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” says that if clerics of a religious organization are held criminally liable for collaborative activities, this is one of the additional grounds for banning the organization’s activities. If those clerics who are official representatives of a religious organization commit illegal actions that harm the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, they may be held criminally liable. A religious organization can be banned in court,” — the People’s Deputy explained.

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