OIDAC Europe expressed concern about the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The European human rights organization Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) has expressed serious concern over legislation adopted in Ukraine aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In its annual report, the organization drew attention to a law passed in August 2024 that could lead to the dissolution of the UOC in court due to alleged ties to Russia.

According to the Information and Education Department of the UOC with reference to the official website of OIDAC, in the report for 2025 human rights activists examine in detail the situation with religious freedom. The document notes that “Ukraine has adopted legislation that bans the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and authorizes courts to dissolve the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) if it does not sever ties with Russia.” It also mentions a report prepared on behalf of the authorities with conclusions on the existence of the UOC’s ties with Moscow and a demand to break them under the threat of dissolution.

The organization also cites the opinions of UN experts, in particular the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. They “expressed ‘grave concern at reports of continued persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine'”,warning that such actions restrict “freedom of worship and practice of religion”.

In addition, OIDAC Europe points out that defenders of religious freedom have criticized the Ukrainian authorities’ failure to recognize the UOC’s declaration of full independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place back in May 2022. According to the organization, they also “expressed concern about the lack of ecclesiological competence among the members of the commission that conducted the government study”.

We will remind, earlier representatives of young Republicans in the United States expressed serious concern about the actions of the Ukrainian authorities with regard to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The co-chair of the Federation of Young Republicans in the USA, Catherine Whiteford, and the New York Club of Young Republicans called for attention to the situation, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious freedom.