The change of political situation in Ukraine causes fears before possible restriction of religious freedom. However, according to the chairman of the State committee of Ukraine on affairs of nationalities and religions Yury Reshetnikov, "Attempts to limit the freedom of worship if they are, will receive resolute repulse from religious and social organizations, and also from some political parties".
The head of the State committee of Ukraine on affairs of nationalities and religions told about it in his exclusive interview to "The International Christian newspaper» in which he told whether the relations between the power and the believing in Ukraine will change after the elections.
In the State committee of Ukraine on affairs of nationalities and religions they hope that the present policy of the Ukrainian state in relation to churches and religious community will remain. At the same time there are issues which cause alarm. So, in December of the last year the representatives of the party of regions registered in the Supreme Council a bill about interdiction of totalitarian sects. At the same time the concept of "totalitarian sects" is treated in this document too widely. And though the bill is not approved by the profile committee, nevertheless it is on consideration in the SC of Ukraine.
According to Yu.Reshetnikov, attempts to limit religious freedom are explained, on one hand, by understanding of the situation by separate deputies, their vision how the religious Ukraine map should look like, who should be present in Ukraine and who not, that is it is an issue of definite confessional preferences and uncooperative altitude to other religious communities. Other reason is that for Ukraine as the democratic country, in which is provided the freedom of worship, there are certain challenges. Democracy, in particular religious freedom, comprises challenges. Since that some people have fear that in the country can develop those religious organizations which activity contradicts national interests and interests of citizens of Ukraine.
The European all-permissiveness
The anxiety of believers also causes aspiration of Ukraine to Europe where tolerance to a sin at the state level is more and more legalized, and it is exposed by a condition of presence of the countries in the European Union. However, in the State committee of Ukraine on affairs of nationalities and religions they consider these alarms to be somehow exaggerated.
"We are not called for blind copying of everything that happens in Europe. Integration into the European community is a two-way movement and here we have what to offer to Europe, especially, if to speak about support of traditional values, in particular, Christian. And if in the West they justify deviation from them by human rights we will not go this way. No one of our politicians, if he seriously thinks of the future, will support what contradicts to Christian moral values. I will remind that 85 % of the population of Ukraine anyhow consider themselves as believers, in overwhelming majority, Christians, Jews and Muslims who have similar views concerning moral values. Therefore, to my opinion, alarms concerning "profanation" from Europe are exaggerated", Yu. Reshetnikov stated.
Restrictions of freedoms
And nevertheless the political situation in Ukraine varies, and after this the policy in relation to believers may change. Whether the political force which won presidential election, will suffice common sense not to create superfluous complexities for the Ukrainian society, trying to limit freedom of worship and possibilities for the activity of religious organizations?
Let us remind that in 2002-2003 in Ukraine there already were attempts to modify the law "About a freedom of worship and religious organizations". Then the state structures wished to make religious organizations under their control in a context of presidential elections of 2004, but these attempts were not realized due to active counteraction from religious communities and some political forces which supported churches in their aspiration to freedom. It, according to Yu.Reshetnikov, was the first case in the history of Ukraine when various churches put up united front in relation to the state. For the next seven years the religious community essentially increased experience of joint positioning.
Besides, in Ukraine is created powerful religious network. There are also public organizations which activity is directed on protection of a freedom of worship. Besides, political forces which accurately support freedom of worship in Ukraine also became stronger. Issues of freedom of worship are close and important for a number of political parties, in particular the BYT and the Christian Democratic Union. Therefore the head of the State committee of Ukraine on affairs of nationalities and religions assumes that attempts to limit the freedom of worship if they are, will receive resolute repulse from religious and social organizations, and also of some political parties.
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