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
The Pope commented on the strike on the Lavra without mentioning Russia
The Pontiff expressed condolences over the destruction of churches and the loss of life in Kyiv, calling for prayers for the opening of “paths of dialogue.”
Primate of Estonian Church sends letter of support to Metropolitan Onuphry
Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn expressed condolences over the damage to the Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral and called war an evil incompatible with the Gospel of peace.
Criminal case opened against Lavra reserve for seizing monastery buildings
The Pechersk Court ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged arbitrariness of the reserve leadership.
Bulgaria blocks sanctions against Patriarch Kirill
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry called sanctions against the Primate of the ROC “symbolic” and counterproductive measures for achieving peace.
Greek Culture Ministry to fund restoration plans for Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The Greek authorities announced cooperation between the European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and the Ukrainian ministry.
Court sentences priest who called OCU synod decision “heresy”
Kyiv’s Sviatoshyn District Court sentenced a priest to imprisonment after he denounced what he described as the OCU’s departure from biblical doctrine.