Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy called on the UN to improve the effectiveness of efforts to protect the rights of believers in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Theodosius (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kaniv once again addressed the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting the problem of the ineffectiveness of international mechanisms for responding to violations of the rights of believers and clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). This was the hierarch’s second address to the international community, in which he stressed the need to find effective tools to put an end to systematic oppression.

During his address at the general debate held on September 24–25, 2026, Metropolitan Theodosius pointed out that, despite the public reaction of UN experts, the situation remains critical. The bishop emphasized that he and other representatives of the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are facing criminal prosecution for their legitimate theological positions and sermons, which runs counter to the norms of international law.

In an official written statement submitted during the session, as well as in an oral address, the hierarch detailed the current issues: acts of violence against believers, the forced conscription of clergy into the armed forces, the seizure of churches, and pressure on the UOC’s legal entities. The metropolitan called on the Human Rights Council to review its approach to responding to incoming complaints in order to ensure effective protection of human rights.

As a reminder, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously announced the submission to the UN, the OSCE, and the Vatican of a special report prepared by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which details violations of the rights of believers and the illegal actions of the Ukrainian authorities against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This is already the third such document sent to international organizations to draw attention to the persecution of clergy and parishioners.