Arakhamia: Expertise of law on UOC by Venice Commission needed to join EU

The head of the Servant of the People faction, Davyd Arakhamia. Photo: rada.gov.ua

The head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, David Arakhamia, has said that Ukraine needs the expertise of the draft law on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Venice Commission in order to join the EU. He wrote this in a comment to the publication of the former Deputy Minister of Information Policy Dmytro Zolotukhin on Facebook.

David Arakhamia noted that he does not see any "betrayal" in the MPs’ initiative, and the examination will not be able to delay the consideration of the bill in the Parliament.

"Given the difficulty of going through the opening of the negotiation procedure with the EU, it is necessary to have a 100% guarantee that this will not be put on our heads as a violation of religious rights. Therefore, the Venice Commission is a normal decision," he added.

As reported, the MPs urged Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk to appeal to the Venice Commission over the UOC the ban.

Read also

Authorities mobilize only UOC clergy, this is unfair, priest says

The Secretary of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy noted the selective approach of officials in granting reservations.

Chief Rabbi condemns Kyiv rabbi for supporting deputy head of OP in court

Moshe Reuven Asman stated that the surety for Iryna Mudra was a personal initiative of the Kyiv rabbi.

Police launch investigation into attack on Sviatohirsk Lavra

Law enforcement officers have opened proceedings under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister warns Ukraine of problems over Pantheon law

Marcin Bosacki stated that burials of UPA leaders in the National Pantheon will create problems for Ukraine's European integration.

Priest cannot bear arms, he is useless at front, UOC cleric says

The Secretary of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy highlighted that church canons prohibit clerics from bearing arms.

Radicals set to stage provocation against Lavra defenders outside Kyiv court

Korchynskyi and a radical who took part in the storming of the cathedral in Cherkasy are calling on their supporters to attend the court hearing in the Upper Lavra case.