The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience declares that only the court will decide on the termination of the activities of a religious organization that refused to comply with the order of the State Ethnopolitics Service.

“Since the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is inseparable from the Russian regime and actively contributes to war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed by the Russian Federation in the course of armed aggression against Ukraine, the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in our state are prohibited," the Service said.

It is noted that after the adoption of bill No. 8371 "On the protection of the constitutional order in the sphere of activity of religious organizations", religious organizations associated with the ROC should withdraw from its membership, for which they are provided with a wide range of opportunities within a clearly prescribed procedure.

In particular, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics provides a study establishing the presence or absence of a particular religious organization in Ukraine joining the ROC.

Further, if the fact of such entry is established, the department sends an order to this religious organization.

"For example, if representatives of a religious organization are members of the governing bodies of the ROC: its Synod, the Synod of Bishops, the Synodal Commission, the Inter-Council Presence. The order will contain a requirement to withdraw from these bodies and provide appropriate evidence. In this case, this religious organization will not be subject to this law," the message says.

At the same time, if a religious organization refuses to comply with the order, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience will have the right to go to court.

"And the court, and only the court, as it should be in a democratic society, will decide on the termination of the activities of a religious organization," the Service stressed.

The State Ethnopolitics Service is confident that the adopted law establishes democratic procedures and does not impose a burden on the conscience of the believers themselves.

"Ukraine was proud and is proud of the achievements of religious freedom. It had neither forbidden churches nor closed temples. The Russian invasion, in which the ROC actively participated, forced our country to protect itself from the abuse and manipulation of religion by the aggressor state," the Service concluded.

As reported, on August 20, the Verkhovna Rada adopted at the second reading 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 activities of religious organizations").