Ukrainian parliament adopts law on referendum

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted presidential law No. 3612 "On the All-Ukrainian Referendum" at second reading and in its entirety.

A total of 255 lawmakers voted for the bill at a parliament meeting on Tuesday, January 26.

According to the law, the subjects of an all-Ukrainian referendum could be issues of the approval of a law on amendments to Sections I, III, XIII of the Constitution of Ukraine, issues of national importance, issues of changing the territory of Ukraine, and the loss of force of a law of Ukraine or some of its provisions.

At the same time, according to the law, the subjects of an all-Ukrainian referendum cannot be issues that contradict the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, universally recognized principles and norms of international law enshrined primarily in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and protocols thereto, issues aimed at eliminating the independence of Ukraine, violating the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, creating a threat to the national security of Ukraine, inciting interethnic, racial and religious hatred, issues of taxes, budget, amnesty, as well as issues referred by the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine to the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors or courts.

One issue may be put to an all-Ukrainian referendum.

On June 18, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada passed presidential bill No. 3612 "On Democracy through an All-Ukrainian Referendum" at first reading.

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