Written question asked by Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative) on Monday, 22 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 January 2024. It was answered by Leo Docherty (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Ukraine: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on religious freedom in the context of the decision to prohibit the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Answer: We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ukraine. This includes widespread destruction of religious sites, and the imposition of restrictive Russian laws in the temporarily controlled territories. The UK is carefully tracking the development of the draft law on religious organisations. The British Embassy in Kyiv continues to actively engage with Ukrainian religious organisations and representatives on the issue. We welcome the Ukrainian Government's assurances that the law is not aimed at restricting FoRB, and their ongoing consultation with religious communities in Ukraine on the terms of the law.

Secondary information