UN to consider a statement on prohibiting the adoption of anti-church laws

A statement on the violation of UOC believers’ rights filed with the United Nations

The statement says that of particular concern is the possibility of the adoption by the Ukrainian Parliament of draft laws No. 4128, 4511, 5309, which are clearly discriminatory in relation to the canonical Church. This is reported by the website of the human rights organization.

Bill No. 4128, according to some experts, is designed to legitimize church raiding, as it proposes to determine the confessional identity on the basis of self-identification.

Bill No. 5309 proposes to change the name of religious organizations which have their governing center in the country recognized by the Verkhovna Rada as an aggressor state.

Bill No. 4511 provides for the establishment of a special status for religious organizations which have their governing center in the country recognized by the Verkhovna Rada as an aggressor state.

NGO "Public Human Rights" in the statement noted that "the proposals of the authors of the draft laws listed above do not meet the norms of international law, contradict the practice of regulating similar legal relations in the EU countries and the USA and constitute a threat to the religious peace and stability of Ukraine".

Read also

Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka

A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.

Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control

Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.

In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots

The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.

388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report

The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.

Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path

During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.

His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast

During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.