Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine - State Migration Service of Ukraine

Raid at a Mosque: the Ombudsman’s Position

admin — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:41:03 +0000

05.02.2020

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At the briefing on the raid after the Kyiv ICC mosque parishioners (on 31 January 2020), held at Information Agency “Ukrainski Novyny” on 3 February, the official position of Ukrainian Ombudsman, Ms.Liudmyla Denisova, was announced. Deputy Ombudsman Mr.Ismail Khalikov was present at the briefing despite being on vacation, yet the honour of reading the Ombudsman’s address, our of respect, was given to Head of Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Mr.Refat Chubarov.

The Ombudsman wrote (translated to English):

“I condemn holding any raids or checkups by the law enforcement and the Migration Service during religious service.

It is known that on 31 January in Kyiv, officers of the National Police and State Migration Service carried out an ID checkup after the Friday prayer at the mosque of “Alraid” Islamic Cultural Centre.

In the course of the checkup, 15 foreigners were detained.

According to Article 1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations”, the State guarantees the right for freedom of conscience to the citizens of Ukraine and for enjoying this right according to the Constitution, the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Ukraine, and provisions of the International Law ratified by Ukraine, as well as for social justice, equality, and protection of rights and lawful interests of the citizens regardless their religious views.

For this cause, I sent respective acts to Heads of the National Police and The State Migration Service.

Respect for the detainees’ rights is taken under my personal control.”

Tags:

human rights, mosque of Kyiv ICC, national police of Ukraine, State Migration Service of Ukraine

Ministry of Culture on Raid Near a Mosque: “We Understand the Muslims’ Resentment and Assure Them of Our Support”

admin — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:03:21 +0000

03.02.2020

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Mr.Denys Koliada, Counselor to the Minister of Culture, took part in the breefing held by RAMU “Umma” on the raid on possible illegal migrants, held by the National Police and the State Migration Service on Friday, 31 January, when Muslims were on their way to the mosque to perform their Friday prayer. Mr.Koliada read out loud the official address from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports on that occasion (English translation below):

“Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations” says as follows

“The State defends the rights and legal interests of religious organisations; [...] takes into consideration and respects traditions and internal regulations of religious organisations if they do not contravene the law”.

In view of this, we’d like to express our official position on recent events.

On Friday, between 12;00 and 14:00, officers of the State Migration Service of Ukraine conducted an ID checkup of people near the building of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine “Umma” Mosque.

According to Mufti said Ismagilov, the officers checked IDs of almost everyone heading to the prayer in terms of that “operation”, and detained about 25 people after the prayer was over.

Noteworthy, Friday is a very special prayer day for Muslims. We can’t but admit that nobody would like to face humiliation, even less during the sacred act such as prayer.

So the timing and location chosen for such “operation” leave us asking questions, both moral and legal. We understand the Muslim Community’s resentment and assure them of our support coming, first of all, from the spirit of Solidarity.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports would like to remind our colleagues from the Migration Service that the very governing body responsible for dealing with the religious communities is our Department on Religions and Ethnicities.

We call for the Migration Service to cooperate. We are always willing to extend a helping hand in communication with religious organisations on such matters.

We would also like to appeal to the Ukrainian Muslim community: we respect every human’s right for religious freedom, and our Ministry will always stand for the freedom on conscience it terms of current legislation. If you happen to witness any actions that are against the Ukrainian legislation and look like discrimination based on ethnicity or religion, you are welcome to approach the Department on Religions and Ethnicities!

We call upon all the parties for a dialogue!”

Mr.Koliada also voiced his personal concerns regarding that “operation”, namely why it was held on Friday and near a mosque specifically? Was there some factor of discrimination? He assured that the Ministry stands firm on the ground that such treatment of parishioners to any house of worship is unacceptable:

— This concerns everybody, not just Muslims: if any citizen feels somehow afflicted by any state authority, in particular in their freedom of conscience and religion - you are welcome to approach us! For us, this is the matter of utmost importance, for that’s not just a matter of image of our country, but a threat to its development and evolution in general!

Tags:

human rights, Islamic Cultural Center in Kyiv, State Migration Service of Ukraine

MP Yurchyshyn on Police Raid Near the Mosque: “Law Enforcement Act Not as a Service Providing People with Higher Quality Life, but as Masters of the Universe”

admin — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:08:13 +0000

05.02.2020

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Today, on 5 February, MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn (“Holos” Party) spoke from the Parliament’s rostrum on a raid carried out by the enforcement near Kyiv ICC mosque on 31 January as of act of disrespect and dishonour, while their job, on the contrary, was to defend people's honour.

“I want to talk about a very important value, which, I believe, brought every one of us to this session hall. We, as People’s Deputies, have to safeguard that value in our society, especially when it comes to communication of the law enforcement and citizens.”

[...]

“A Muslim fest, a mosque… And people not having ID on them are being snatched and investigated — again, by the police, who once again dishonours those people. Colleagues! I could push some political agenda and say what I thought about our Minister [of the Interior], but I’d rather note that we, unfortunately, still have law enforcement acting not as a service whose aim is to provide people with higher quality life, but as masters of the Universe. ”

[...]

“I invoke everyone in charge to, perhaps, make some training for the police and explain to them that citizens are not obliged to always carry an ID, while the law enforcement are obliged to defend any citizen, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, etc. Colleagues! The Revolution of Dignity brought us where we are. The police have to care and defend the citizen’s dignity, that’s their job. And we, the MPs, have to make sure they do. Glory to Ukraine!”

Tags:

human rights, mosque of Kyiv ICC, national police of Ukraine, State Migration Service of Ukraine

Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine - State Migration Service of Ukraine

Raid at a Mosque: the Ombudsman’s Position

photo_2018-12-11_18-39-32.jpg

Ministry of Culture on Raid Near a Mosque: “We Understand the Muslims’ Resentment and Assure Them of Our Support”

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MP Yurchyshyn on Police Raid Near the Mosque: “Law Enforcement Act Not as a Service Providing People with Higher Quality Life, but as Masters of the Universe”

82139320_2309974542442430_5376340349172056064_o.jpg