You're reading: Rada passes law on biometric passports with president’s proposals

 The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed the law on the introduction of biometric passports, taking into account proposals made by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych 

A total of 243 out of the 355 lawmakers registered in the hall voted for the law.

A new provision has been included into the law that says that people who refuse to enter their personal information in an electronic chip due to their religious beliefs have the right to refuse to use this document or the inserting of such information into the chip.

To realize this right, they need to submit an application to the relevant central executive authority stating their refusal to receive the document containing a chip or from entering their personal data into this chip.

The president also suggested that the payment for the issuance of such documents should be covered from the revenues of the general fund of the budget.

Lawmakers changed the text of the document so in accordance with the president’s proposal.

As reported, on Oct. 2, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on the single state demographic register, which envisages the introduction of electronic passports for Ukrainians.

The law, in particular, foresees the introduction of electronic passports for traveling abroad in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ІCAO).

The law proposes establishing that the register contains the following information about a person: name and surname, date of birth/death, place of birth, sex, date of the submission of information about a person in the register, data about parents (adoptive parents), guardians, and other representatives, data about citizenship or its absence, as well as details of all documents issued to the person, a sample of their signature, and a photo.

Representatives of human rights and religious organizations have criticized the law.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych vetoed the document on October 30 and sent it back to the Verkhovna Rada, together with his proposals.