The Ukrainian Parliament, also known as the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, announced on Thursday their adoption of decision number 8371. This decision bans religious organizations who have colluded with armed aggressors from operating within the country. This move seems to be primarily targeted at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which faces allegations of collaborating with Russia.
The decision received support from over 250 members of parliament, although only 226 votes were required for its passing. After the session, Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk outlined the proposal, citing the necessity of preventing religious organizations from operating in Ukraine if their governing centre was located in a country that executes armed aggression against Ukraine.
About 16 percent of Ukrainian citizens follow the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is distinct from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The church denies current alignment with the Russian Orthodox Church and disputes the allegations raised against it. The Church also posits that the new law may be unconstitutional.
The response to the new legislation has been polarized. Analyst Volodymyr Fesenko noted that it could be challenged within Ukraine and at the European Court of Human Rights. Conversely, Ukrainian lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko hailed the decision as a critical step in protecting Ukrainian national security by removing Moscow influence.
Last year saw the arrest of several of the Church’s leaders, including Metropolitan Iosaf, sentenced to three years for circulating pro-Kremlin literature, and Metropolitan Pavel who faced a 60-day house arrest for allegations of promoting inter-confessional hate and endorsing Russia’s armed action against Ukraine.