The UN Human Rights Committee addressed issues regarding the situation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine in its assessment

The UN Human Rights Committee has taken note of reports on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, including reports of pressure on journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, as well as events related to the UOC’s cathedral in Cherkasy. This was reported by DOZOR on “Pershyi Kozats’kyi,” citing the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

According to the source, on May 11, the UN Human Rights Committee published a document prepared following the conclusion of the procedure for the periodic review of Ukraine’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The text reportedly states that, in preparing its assessment, the Committee reviewed information submitted by the Cherkasy and Kaniv Dioceses of the UOC, as well as by a number of human rights organizations.

The Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC notes that the section titled “Summary of the information received from stakeholders” is of particular importance, as it highlights the main issues raised by representatives of the diocese and human rights defenders. According to the report, the materials referred to pressure exerted on journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders working to protect the rights of UOC believers.

The diocese emphasizes that this information was not merely listed as the position of the petitioners. After analyzing the information received, the UN Committee included relevant questions in its own assessment of the human rights situation in Ukraine.

In particular, according to the diocese, in the assessment section of the document, the Committee expressed concern over reports from civil society regarding unjustified interference with freedom of expression, the use of vague provisions in national security legislation to restrict the lawful expression of views, the persecution of journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, as well as the lack of an effective investigation into the events surrounding the seizure of the UOC’s cathedral in Cherkasy on October 17, 2024.

The Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stated that it intends to continue using international legal mechanisms to protect the rights of believers, clergy, and others who, according to the diocese, are being persecuted for their affiliation with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.