By KYIV. Dec 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – By his decree, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) "On certain aspects of the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine and the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)."
Relevant decree of the President of Ukraine No. 820/2022 of December 1 was published on the website of the head of state.
Supervise over the execution of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, put into effect by the decree, is entrusted to the NSDC Secretary. The decree enters into force on the day of its publication.
According to the NSDC decision, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to submit, within two months, for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada a bill on the impossibility of activities in Ukraine of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in Russia under international law in the field of freedom of conscience and Ukraine’s obligations in connection with joining the Council of Europe.
The government was instructed to immediately resolve the issue of classifying the State Service of Ukraine for Ethno-Politics and Freedom of Conscience to the central executive authorities, whose activities are directed and coordinated directly by the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as to resolve the issues of functional subordination of the State Service for Ethno-Politics to structural units of local state administrations, whose powers include issues realization of the right to freedom of conscience and religion, the activities of religious organizations.
In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers needs to ensure, within two months, verification of the existence of legal grounds and compliance with the conditions for the use of property by religious organizations located on the territory of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve.
The National Security and Defense Council also instructed the State Service for Ethno-Politics to ensure, within two months, in accordance with the law of Ukraine "On freedom of conscience and religious organizations," a religious expert examination of the Charter on the Administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the presence of a church-canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate, if necessary, apply the measures provided for by law.
In addition, the NSDC supported the proposals made by the Security Service of Ukraine on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures and applied sanctions against individuals.
