We will remind, earlier we reported that in the United Nations Organization said that they are following the development of events around the anti-church initiatives of the Ukrainian government and expect the full text of the bill № 8371, adopted in the Verkhovna Rada, aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was stated by the official representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Elizabeth Trossel.
The UN again drew attention to the violation of the rights of UOC believers
The United Nations has published a new report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report cites, among other things, numerous cases of court rulings and arrests of UOC clergymen, which have caused concern in human rights circles in the West. In addition, the document mentions the adoption of the anti-church law No. 3894 (formerly No. 8371), by which the state wants to completely restrict the activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The report is published on the website of the organization.
It is reported that the OHCHR recorded the actions of the Lviv District Administrative Court, which on June 17, 2024 upheld the decision of the Drohobych City Council to ban the activities of the UOC in the area “for reasons of national security”. However, as the UN notes, the court did not explain “how the ban was deemed necessary and proportionate to protect public safety or order.”
The report also drew attention to the arrest and detention of Ukrainian Orthodox Church hierarchs Metropolitans Arseniy and Jonathan. The document states that the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church “were pressured to confess guilt and agree to an exchange with Russia”.
The report also drew attention to the law “On banning the UOC”. The UN stated that the law causes concern on the part of OHCHR, as international standards do not recognize national security as a basis for restricting freedom of religion.
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