Rada is determined to fight with the Church, – Expert

Draft laws #4511 and #4128 if adopted may entail another exacerbation of religious and social conflicts in Ukraine. It was mentioned in the comments to the UOJ correspondent by Yuriy Reshetnikov, a religious expert, PhD and Chairman of the State Committee of Ukraine for Religion and Nationalities in 2009-2010 years.

“An issue of the above bills came about long ago,” said Reshetnikov. “Why are they put to a vote namely next week? Perhaps, this is the right moment for them. Will they be adopted? It’s difficult to say. Last time draft law #4128 was also listed on the agenda, but was never dealt with then. We’ll see if the turn will come for them this time and pray so that the bills wouldn’t be adopted. Surely, the initiators aim to enshrine them in law and no hypothetical conflicts frighten them, since they are determined to fight with the Church.

On May 18 the agenda of the Parliament’s plenary sessions brings up for vote draft laws #4511 and #4128.

Draft law #4128 suggests that the affiliation to a religious community should be defined by means of “self-identification”. Draft law #4511 introduces a special status for Churches whose administrative bodies are located in the country, recognized by the VR as an aggressor state.