In Freedom in the World 2001/2002, Freedom House reports that religious rights in the Ukraine are set out in the country's Constitution and in the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religion (9 July 2002). The report also indicates that there are "some restrictions on the activities of foreign religious organizations" and that "all religious groups must register with the state" (Freedom in the World 2001-2002 9 July 2002).

According to the Associate Director of the Legal Affairs Department for Watchtower of Canada in Halton Hills, Ontario, Jehovah's Witnesses have been "legally registered in Ukraine since March 30, 1992," and they "do not experience any forms of discrimination, harassment, restrictions or violence" anywhere in Ukraine (18 Feb. 2003). The Associate Director goes on to state that "[m]ore than 125,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in about 1,300 congregations across Ukraine enjoy religious freedoms and respect from the authorities" (ibid.).

Similar information was published in Kyiv Post, a weekly newspaper based in Kyiv, Ukraine, which in May 2002 reported that, according to missionaries working in Ukraine, Christian churches such as Pentecostals, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses "enjoy religious freedom" (23 May 2002).

In 2000, a survey conducted by the Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Studies found that 66 per cent of respondents stated that there is "'complete freedom of conscience and equality of faiths before the law' in Ukraine" (Freedom in the World 2001-2002 9 July 2002)

The Watchtower's Associate Director of Legal Affairs also stated that "Jehovah's Witnesses who are conscientious objectors to military service are currently granted an alternative (non-military) service" (18 Feb. 2003).

The United Kingdom's Immigration and Nationality Directorate states in its 2002 country assessment of Ukraine that evasion of military service in Ukraine has "become widespread" despite the fact that "only one-third of conscription aged men would actually serve in the Ukrainian armed forces" (par. 6.66). Men who evade military recruitment are liable to imprisonment for up to three years (UK Oct. 2002, par. 6.66). The report also states that those "who object to military service on religious grounds" can "'perform works for the public good' instead" (ibid., par. 6.67). The period of alternative service was reduced in March 1999 from 36 months (or 24 months for those with a "full higher education") to 27 months (or 18 months for those with "a full higher education and a master's degree, or specialists") (ibid.). However, alternative service can only be undertaken "when the authenticity of an individual's religious convictions has been established by a military commission" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Freedom in the World: A Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties 2001-2002. 9 July 2002. Edited by Freedom House and Adrian Karatnycy. http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/freeworld/2002/countryratings/ukraine2.htm [Accessed 19 Feb. 2003]

Kyiv Post [Kyiv, in English]. 23 May 2002. Dana Liss. "Missionaries Find Fertile Ground Tolerance of Many Faiths Spurs Interests in Various Religions." (Global News Wire/NEXIS)

United Kingdom (UK). October 2002. Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office. "Ukraine Assessment: October 2002." http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=3356 [Accessed 19 Feb. 2003]

Watchtower, Halton Hills, Ontario. 18 February 2003. Correspondence received from the Associate Director of the Legal Affairs Department.

Additional Sources Consulted

World News Connection

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom (2000 to 2003)

BBC
Human Rights Watch -

World Report 2003

International Christian Concern
OSCE -

Annual Report 2001

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

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