According to the annual International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 made by U.S. Department of State, the situation with religion freedom in Ukraine is the same as a year ago.
"The trends in the government's respect for religious freedom have not changed significantly over the past year. Local officials at times support one side in disputes between religious groups," reads the report regarding Ukraine.
In particular, more often local authorities take somebody’s side in the disputes on religious property, and difficulties are seen during the registration of new religious communities in some regions of Ukraine.
Moreover, senior representatives of major religious groups and religious observers voiced concern about the adoption of amendments to a core law on religion that expanded government oversight of religious activity.
“Religious leaders noted that the government drafted and approved the bill without taking their position into account,” reads the report.
The report also mentioned cases of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
“These included cases of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim discrimination, as well as discrimination against different Christian denominations in various parts of the country, and vandalism of religious property,” the report said.
The report also mentioned complaints by religious groups about there being bureaucratic obstacles when religious activists register Ukrainian visas.
As reported, the report made by the U.S. Department of State in 2011 mentioned the same religious problems in Ukraine, and said there had been no improvement in the protection of the right to freedom of religion in the country.
