Chief Justice Kõve: Dispute centred on a single sentence

Chief Justice of the Estonian Supreme Court Villu Kõve said that the main discussion at the plenum hearing that examined the constitutionality of amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act focused on one specific sentence. Seventeen judges participated in the decision, six of whom filed dissenting opinions, but the voting results are not disclosed.

Chief Justice Villu Kõve said that the debate at the plenum hearing examining the constitutionality of amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act centred mainly on one sentence concerning the grounds for forced termination of religious associations' activities.

A total of 17 judges of the Supreme Court participated in the decision. Six of them filed dissenting opinions, meaning they did not fully agree with the reasoning or the resolution of the decision. The voting results remain confidential and are not subject to disclosure.

The amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act have sparked a broader public debate on religious freedom and the state's ability to intervene in the activities of religious organisations. The grounds for forced termination have been a particularly contentious issue, as they directly affect the permissibility of limiting fundamental rights.