Zelenskyy implements NSDC decision regarding sanctions against UOC MP

The respective Presidential decree No. 820/2022 of December 1 was published on the website of the president.

• By decree of the President of Ukraine No. 820/2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy implemented the decision of the National Security and Defense Council "On certain aspects of the operation of religious organizations in Ukraine and the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)", which came into force from the moment of publication of the document. Control over the implementation of the decision is entrusted to the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
• According to the decision of the National Security Council of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers must:
• Within two months, submit to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a draft law on banning religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in Russia from operating in Ukraine. The implementation will be in accordance with the norms of international law in the field of freedom of conscience and Ukraine's obligations after joining the Council of Europe.
• Urgently resolve the issue of assigning the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience as one of  the central bodies of the executive power.
• To resolve the issue of functional subordination of regional state administrations to the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, whose powers include the implementation of the right to freedom of conscience and religion, activities of religious organizations.
• Within a two-month period, verify whether the property located on the territory of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve is being used by religious organizations on legal grounds and in compliance with the terms of use.

According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience has been entrusted with conducting a religious examination of the Management Statute of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the presence of a church-canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate. This should happen within two months and in accordance with the law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations". If necessary, legal measures must be taken.

The Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and other bodies that ensure national security must intensify measures to detect and counter subversive activities of Russian special services in the religious environment of Ukraine.

In addition, the National Security Council supported the proposals of the Security Service of Ukraine regarding the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures and introduced sanctions against individuals.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine are tasked with implementing and ensuring the effectiveness of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions).

• On November 23, the Security Service of Ukraine reported that together with the police and the National Guard it has investigated more than 350 church buildings and 850 people on the premises of the UOC MP in the course of counter-intelligence measures.