UN publishes report on discrimination against UOC in Ukraine
The UN. Photo: e-news.su
On 24 March 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on religious freedom in Ukraine for the period from 1 August 2022 to 31 January 2023.
In particular, it refers to bills No. 8221, No. 8262 and No. 8371 discriminating against the UOC, as well as concerns about the application of so-called "security measures" by the SBU against the UOC.
"The SBU conducted searches (some of which it referred to as “security measures”) in several monasteries, offices, education facilities and other property of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Kyiv, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Volyn, Kherson, Ternopil, Poltava and Zakarpattia regions," the report said.
" In some cases, SBU officers questioned several clergymen with the use of a polygraph. The SBU confirmed that at least three notices of suspicion were issued to UOC clergy – two under article 161 of the Criminal Code (violating the equality of citizens based on race, nationality, religious belief, disability or other grounds) and one with multiple charges including trespass against the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, and denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. At least two suspects are under round-the-clock house arrest. OHCHR is concerned that the State’s activities targeting the UOC could be discriminatory. OHCHR also recalls the need to ensure that all those facing criminal charges enjoy the full spectrum of applicable fair trial rights," the report said.
As earlier reported, His Beatitude Onuphry appealed to the UN over discrimination against the UOC.
Read also
Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries
Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.
TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy
Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.
Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots
U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."
In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering
The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.
Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God
The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.
Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible
"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.