Deputy V. Tyulkin proposes to change the law “On freedom of conscience and religious associations”

. On March 19, the draft law "On Amendments and Additions to the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations"" was submitted for consideration by the State Duma, authored by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy Viktor Tyulkin

The deputy proposes to change the name of the law as follows: "On freedom of conscience, religious associations, as well as on organizations and institutions that disseminate atheistic and other secular beliefs."

V. Tyulkin believes that the mention of "traditional" religions should be removed from the preamble and the preamble should be supplemented with a paragraph: "Recognizing that the dignity of a person, regardless of his religious beliefs, atheistic and other beliefs, is the basis for the formation and development of spirituality and culture of all the peoples of Russia" .

In addition, the draft law proposes to simplify the form of registration of religious associations, as well as to enable atheist organizations to conduct educational activities.

was published On November 9, in the Duma's Automated System for Ensuring Legislative Activity, the conclusion of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 5 on the submitted bill . The government did not support V. Tyulkin's initiative.

"The bill does not provide for signs that allow distinguishing organizations and institutions that disseminate scientific and atheistic beliefs from a variety of non-profit organizations," the conclusion says. "The activities of organizations and institutions that disseminate scientific and atheistic beliefs, like any other beliefs, do not fall within the scope of regulation Federal Law 'On Freedom of Conscience and on Religious Associations' The legal status and conditions for the operation of such organizations and institutions are defined in the federal laws 'On Nonprofit Organizations' and 'On Public Associations'.

According to the financial and economic justification for the bill, its implementation will not require additional funding from the federal budget. However, Article 7 of the draft law establishes that the state provides state and municipal institutions that disseminate scientific and atheistic beliefs with tax and other financial benefits, provides these institutions with material and other support. Thus, the implementation of the draft law will entail an increase in expenditures of the budgets of the Russian Federation and will reduce tax revenues to the relevant budgets. At the same time, the bill was prepared without taking into account the requirements of Article 83 of the Budget Code of the Russian Federation."

Sources

• Draft Federal Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations"" (introduced by State Duma deputy V.A. Tyulkin) // State and religion in Russia. 2007. May.
• Conclusion on the draft federal law "On the Introduction of Amendments and Additions to the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and on Religious Associations", submitted to the State Duma by State Duma Deputy V.A. Tyulkin // Automated system for ensuring legislative activity. 2007. November 9.