PRESERVING THE IDENTITY AND FREEDOM OF ACTIVITY OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF WAR IN UKRAINE: CHALLENGES AND GUIDELINES

Abstract

The paper draws attention to the vulnerability of religious minorities in Ukraine, their current status, interactions with state, their relations with dominant religions and Ukrainian society in war conditions. There is no concept of religious minorities in Ukrainian legislation, but it is used in informative and scientific discourse. At the same time, religious minorities often express the interests of a national / ethnic minority, or operate as new religious movements, other religions with a small number and/or prevalence. The legislation of Ukraine provides a high level of freedom of religion or belief. But in connection with the Russian invasion and the war beginning, religious minorities in Ukraine face new challenges and problems. After the Russian invasion many religious communities lost their buildings of meeting places, or were forced to leave them in the occupied territories, and some moved to other regions of Ukraine or abroad and started their activities anew, mostly in conditions of lack of followers after the loss of the "core" of parishioners formed over the years. The study demonstrates the differences in the position of minority religions in the territory of Ukraine and its occupied part, their interaction with society and the authorities in the new conditions. It is noted that in the occupied territories, religious minority communities have either ceased their activities due to a number of factors, or are increasingly functioning in conditions of marginalization. On the other hand, the freedom of activity of religious minorities in Ukraine ensures the self-identity of their followers or serves as an alternative to established religions.