The Ukrainian parliament recently passed a law that has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the violation of the Ukrainian constitution. The law in question aims to ban the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is set to come into force in 30 days.
Critics argue that this law directly violates three key articles of the Ukrainian constitution: Articles 11, 24, and 35. According to Article 11, the state is supposed to promote the consolidation and development of the Ukrainian nation, its historical consciousness, traditions, and culture, as well as the development of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of all indigenous peoples and national minorities of Ukraine. By banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the state is infringing upon the religious identity and traditions of a significant portion of the population.
Article 24 of the constitution explicitly states that there should be no discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, political, religious, and other beliefs. The ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could be seen as a discriminatory action based on religious beliefs, going against the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the constitution.
Furthermore, Article 35 establishes the right to freedom of worldview and religion for everyone. By imposing a ban on a specific religious institution, the government is restricting the freedom of religion of its citizens, contradicting the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
It is important to note that when discussing the Ukrainian constitution and issues related to territorial integrity, like the 1991 borders, other key articles of the constitution should not be overlooked. The government’s actions should align with the spirit and letter of the entire constitution, not just selectively enforce certain provisions to suit their agenda.
Overall, the passing of this law raises concerns about the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms in Ukraine. It remains to be seen how this controversial law will be implemented and what implications it will have on the religious landscape and societal cohesion in the country.
