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

OCU cleric responds to Hryshchuk's provocations at funerals for AFU soldiers

Sofroniy Chuprina refuted claims about the necessity of opening the Royal Doors during funeral services.

Kosmach residents accuse OCU monks of supporting "Russian world" ideas

Parishioners of the OCU stated that the monastery residents near the village of Kosmach use pro-Russian rhetoric, preventing them from switching to the "new calendar".

Medieval church in England safeguarded with National Lottery funds

The preservation of a 13th-century church in Leicestershire was made possible thanks to money from British National Lottery draws.

Lavra Reserve marks centenary of Bolshevik seizure of the monastery

Reconstructions of museum exhibits from the “museum town,” which the Bolsheviks proclaimed within the monastery walls, were staged by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve.

Sweden stops state support for Islamic organizations in country

The Swedish government has officially stopped all taxpayer-funded grants to the aid organization Islamic Relief Sweden (IRS) after an investigation revealed risks of connections to extremism.

Head of Montenegro’s schismatics meet with Phanar representative in Rome

A Finnish archbishop under the Phanar’s jurisdiction held a meeting with a representative of an uncanonical church structure from Montenegro.