UN recommends that Ukraine revise the law banning UOC

Assistant to the UN Secretary General Ilze Brands Keris. Photo: press.un.org

n November 17, 2023, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ilze Brands Kehris, stated that the Ukrainian authorities should revise the text of the draft law No. 8371, which provides for the prohibition of the UOC. She made this statement during a UN Security Council meeting, according to the organization's press service.

The Assistant Secretary-General emphasized that the authors of the draft law should "clearly define the specific legitimate aim of the proposed restrictions and ensure their necessity and proportionality and revise the text accordingly."

"International law permits restrictions on the freedom to manifest religion only if they are prescribed by law and necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others," she added.

As reported by the UOJ, the UN noted an increase in violence against believers in Ukraine.

Read also

Chernivtsi bishop consecrates new altar for persecuted Kerstentsi community

In Kerstentsi, believers built a new Transfiguration Church after the previous one was seized by OCU supporters.

Monastic tonsure held at Krasnohorsky All Saints Monastery

Novice Vadym Serkhovets took monastic vows with the name Euthymius.

Over 25,000 faithful pray at Romanian Nicula Monastery on Dormition feast

Thousands of pilgrims walked a 7-kilometer procession to the Nicula Monastery for the feast.

OCU cleric allows attending Uniate churches

OCU cleric Oleksii Filiuk, responding to the question of whether an Orthodox Christian can become a parishioner of a Uniate church, stated that God is one, and one can attend whichever church is closer.

US police detain participants of anti-Islamic demonstration

Police detained protesters following clashes during the "Christian Crusaders March" rally.

Mokrets authorities seek to halt construction of UOC church on private land

After the seizure of the Dormition Church, believers began constructing a new prayer building; however, local authorities are now demanding that the legality of the construction be verified.