The Law “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations” entered into force. In particular, the law was adopted on August 20, 2024, and it comes into force 30 days after the publication, namely on Monday, September 23, Interfax-Ukraine reports. As reported previously, on August 20, in the second reading, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill prohibiting the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (No. 8371 “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Religious Organizations”).

Several provisions of the document shall come into force later. In particular, the next day after publication, the Cabinet of Ministers begins preparing bylaws, and in nine months the provision of the draft law that allows the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience to file a lawsuit to terminate the activities of a religious organization if the service has established its connection with the ROC (Russian Orthodox Church) of the aggressor country comes into force.

Additionally, within three months of the promulgation of this law, the Cabinet of Ministers must take measures to return state property from the use of a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine and religious organizations whose activities are not allowed. Within six months, the Cabinet of Ministers must also take measures to return state property from the use of legal entities owned or participated in by a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in the country. (Quelle: www.risu.ua, 23. September 2024)