Law on banning UOC to be put up for consideration next week - Amsterdam

The head of the international human rights company Amsterdam & Partners LLP, Robert Amsterdam, who represents the legal interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, said that the bill No. 8371 on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is scheduled for consideration next week. About it the lawyer reported in his account in the social network X.

“I was informed that the members of the Ukrainian Rada are going to put the bill № 8371 on the agenda next week. The time for this is chosen extremely provocative: right after the RNC (Republican Party National Convention) – pushing through an illegal bill that encroaches on religious freedom; a real slap in the face to the benefactors of Ukraine,” – Amsterdam wrote.

The lawyer added that information about the persecution of the UOC is reported at the highest level in the United States. He believes that financial support for Ukraine is impossible without the country respecting the elementary rights and freedoms of citizens.

“At all the meetings we held on the Hill, our position was clear. We support Ukraine’s sovereignty and are in favor of continued U.S. aid, but these billions of taxpayer dollars require, at a minimum, a commitment to the rule of law and human rights. The US should never participate in funding repression of an entire religion under false pretenses – this is contrary to international law,” – Robert Amsterdam added.

We shall remind you that on July 9-11, 2024, Metropolitan Theodosius (Snigiryov) of Cherkassy and Kanev Metropolitan of Cherkassy and Kanev and Robert Amsterdam, head of the international human rights company “Amsterdam & Partners LLP”, representing the legal interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, spoke at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council at the UN. The human rights activists told the international community about the ongoing persecution of the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.