UN Human Rights Mission to attend the trial of Metropolitan Jonathan
Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav. Photo: news.church.ua
Representatives of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine promised that they would attend the hearings of the appeal court in the case of Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav. The bishop’s lawyer, Ihor Chudovsky, announced this in an interview with Pershy Kozatsky.
He said that members of the Mission came to the Metropolitan, who is under house arrest, and interviewed him. According to the lawyer, UN representatives recorded facts indicating the illegality of the sentence passed on the metropolitan by the Vinnytsia court, took with them some documents and wrote down the telephone numbers of the bishop’s defenders.
The lawyer noted that in relation to Metropolitan Jonathan, several provisions of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights are being violated.
Chudovsky recalled that back in June 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on the results of the Monitoring Mission, which highlighted violations of the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The lawyer noted that the state of Ukraine “had to draw certain conclusions and correct the mistakes that were made.”
According to the lawyer, Metropolitan Jonathan’s defense has already prepared for the appeal court.
“We have certain developments in order to raise specific questions, showing the illegality of the sentence imposed on Metropolitan Jonathan,” Chudovsky said. “I think we should be heard, and the sentence, which is clearly illegal, should be overturned.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that statements by the Primates and hierarchs of Local Churches in defense of Metropolitan Jonathan attracted the attention of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission.
The UOJ also wrote that according to lawyer Ihor Chudovsky, the “evidence” of the Metropolitan’s anti-Ukrainian activities was fabricated, and the court’s verdict endangers the life of an elderly bishop who has serious illnesses.
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.