Ombudsman sees no violation of rights of UOC believers in Lavra

The police blocking believers' access to one of the Lavra's buildings. Photo: UOJ

The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for human rights Dmytro Lubinets did not see any violations of the rights of believers of the UOC in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He said this during a press marathon, reports Ukrinform.

According to the ombudsman, his representative made a monitoring visit to the Lavra and inspected buildings 57 and 58, where there were 4 and 8 people respectively.

“We haven't established any restrictions on their movement; nobody is holding them there, and nobody forbids monks and clergy to come and go, bring food, medicine, or anything else. The lawyer's statement paid special attention to this because they claim to be starving and have no water. We haven't observed any signs of exhaustion among the believers. We found a lot of food and water there," Lubinets said.

The ombudsman urged everyone to be objective. "If the representatives of the authorities violate anything, we will fix it. If unsupported data are given in appeals – we will also record and show them," he said.

Lubinets did not comment on the facts when the police prevented the transfer of food, water and medicines to believers.

As earlier reported, a representative of the ombudsman came to the Lavra.

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