US Congress passes bill to support religious freedom in Ukraine
Head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. Photo: pomisna.info
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bill to support religious freedom in Ukraine, reports “Voice of America” on March 5, 2020.
In the event of final approval by the US Parliament, the law will require the US President to take into account violations of religious freedom in the Donbass and the Crimea in order to make decisions on the definition of Russia as a country of particular concern.
In case of such a decision, the US Government should take certain steps against this country, including public condemnation, cancellation of cultural and scientific exchanges, public and other visits, cancellation or suspension of US Government assistance to private and international institutions.
The bill states that Russia is responsible for violations of religious freedom in the territories it controls, and not only in the territories within its borders.
The US Congress is convinced that the document will allow the government to take concrete steps to protect religious freedom in Ukraine.
As reported earlier, the OCU and the State Department agreed on bilateral cooperation, and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said it was important for the United States to communicate with Epiphany Dumenko so that "Russia's influence in Ukraine was not so strong".
Read also
Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray
After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.
UOC parishioner fined for comments about OCU in Rivne Region
The defendant fully admitted his guilt.
Ministry of Culture attempts to conduct inventory at Pochaiv Lavra
A monastery representative reminded officials that the Lavra fulfills its contractual obligations and uses the property for its intended purpose.
Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office demands seizure of UOC church in Horodyshche
The Cherkasy Regional Economic Court has initiated proceedings upon the prosecutor's lawsuit, with a court hearing already scheduled.
Reserve Director: Relics are exhibits handled by anthropologists
The Chernihiv Reserve's director assured that after the expulsion of the UOC community from the Trinity Cathedral, the relics of the saints have been registered as state property.
Chernihiv official: Nuns are deluded they will stay in convents forever
The director of the Chernihiv Reserve believes that the nuns are illegally residing in the convent and are "propaganda captives".