AUCCRO to discuss plans for ongoing cooperation with Verkhovna Rada Speaker

Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament Dmitry Razumkov. Photo: kp.ua

On July 2, 2020, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) announced that it had initiated a meeting with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Dmitry Razumkov, to restore dialogue and establish ongoing interaction with the Parliament.

“In a letter to Dmitry Razumkov, the Council of Churches provides a list of the most high-profile legislative initiatives that require proper public discussion,” the AUCCRO noted.

The Council of Churches drew the attention of the authorities to the fact that comments on the bill on the media were ignored, representatives of the Council were not invited to participate in the relevant working group. Besides, some committees do not invite members of the public to discuss high-profile bills.

“The lack of dialogue and interaction between the Verkhovna Rada and the religious community harms primarily the quality of laws that are considered without proper public discussion,” the Council of Churches emphasized. “This situation undermines the foundations of partnerships between the state and religious organizations that have been formed over the past 25 years.”

The AUCCRO also noted that ignoring the comments of representatives of various faiths of Ukraine during the legislative process "significantly increases the risk of public protests".

The Council of Churches reminded that the long-standing experience of regular and constructive interaction between the Verkhovna Rada and the religious community of Ukraine was positive and effective and called on the Parliament to continue cooperation.

Earlier, UOC representatives took part in the meeting of the AUCCRO and the Minister of Culture.

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