Law 3894: Authorities may break contracts with UOC on property prematurely

Verkhovna Rada. Photo: Inforesist

According to the provisions of the anti-church law No. 3894 (formerly bill No. 8371) "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations," passed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on August 20, 2024, state authorities have the right to prematurely terminate lease agreements for land plots, religious buildings, and other premises concluded with religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

The relevant article of the law states: "The right to use state and/or communal property granted to religious organizations whose activities are not allowed in accordance with Article 5-1 of this Law, and agreements concluded with such religious organizations related to the use of state or communal property (lease, rental, leasing, other forms of use of others' property) are terminated prematurely, 60 days from the date of the decision recognizing the corresponding religious organization as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine in accordance with Article 3 of this Law."

As the UOJ previously reported, Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament from the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group, Petar Volgin, sent a request to the European Commission, expressing concerns about Ukraine's new law 8371 regarding religious organizations. He noted that this law may violate fundamental human rights.

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