RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Ukrainian politician points to European political thrust

OFFICE OF PRESIDENT EXPLAINS SPECIFICS OF BILL TO GRANT STATE STATUS TO CERTAIN RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

RISU, 1 August 2020

 

The draft law concerning granting state status to certain religious holidays will introduce a legislative norm according to which an employer is advised to give a day off to an employee who is celebrating one of these holidays in accordance with his affiliation to one or another religious confession. This was stated by an assistant to the head of the office of the president of Ukraine, Igor Zhovkva.

 

"It is proposed to grant state status to such religious holidays as Ramadan-Bayram, Kurban-Bayram, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukah, and Easter of Christians of the western rite. According to the bill, an employer is advised to give a day off to an employee who is celebrating one of these holidays in accordance with his affiliation with one or another religious confession" Igor Zhovkva said.

 

The assistant to the head of the office of the president said that such an approach will permit assuring the observance of traditions of celebration and will demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to the principles of equality, toleration, and mutual respect. In addition, representatives of religious communities will be able to exercise their right to free religious confession without violating their time-honored traditions.

 

"According to the constitution, Ukraine is a democratic and law-based state and it guarantees respect for basic human rights. One of these is the right to the freedom of worldview and religious confession. Article 35 of the Ukrainian constitution emphasizes that this right includes the freedom to profess any religion or to profess none, to perform without hindrance individually or collectively religious worship and rituals, and to conduct religious activity," Igor Zhovkva explained.

 

He noted that Ukraine has chosen European integration as the chief thrust of its foreign policy.

 

"In the countries of the European Union there exist profound traditions of respect for religion and religious confessions. Their rights are enshrined in corresponding legislative acts and society respects each person, regardless of his religious convictions. A great number of religious communities are active in Ukraine, professing the philosophy of various religions of the world. However decades of the dominance of the ideology of state atheism have distorted people's attitude toward certain religious movements," the assistant to the head of the office of president emphasized.

 

Igor Zhovkva noted that this is why the draft law granting state status to certain religious holidays has acquired relevance. "The philosophy of this document is the construction in Ukraine of a multi-confessional, tolerant society of openness. After all, it is such principles that are embodied in developed democratic countries," he said. (tr. by PDS, posted 1 August 2020)


Background article:
Ukrainian president shows ecumenical spirit
July 30, 2020


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