Freedom of Religion or Belief and National Security in Post-Soviet States: Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on Legal Discourse

With a primary focus on the Baltic states and Ukraine, this article examines the legal discourse and responses in post-Soviet states to real and perceived threats to (national) security in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. The article analyzes measures taken in light of the international human rights obligations. In this regard, the focus is on the practice of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The article probes criteria for bans and restrictions on religious communities on grounds of security, as well as measures against religious leadership and community members. While security of the state and its people is important, it can be argued that some of the measures taken by both Ukraine and the Baltic states are problematic from an international human rights perspective. In situations of conflict and insecurity there is a danger of the securitization of rights.