Lawyer: Should Stefanchuk refuse, others may write to the Venice Commission
Human rights defender Oleg Denisov. Photo: spzh.news
MPs may send an appeal to the Venice Commission over the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church not only to the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, but also to other representatives of the Ukrainian government. The head of the UN human rights organisation Public Advocacy, Oleg Denisov, told the UOJ.
According to him, there are other civil servants among the top state officials who have the authority to apply to international organisations with a plea to carry out this or that expertise.
At the same time, the lawyer noted that Stefanchuk is not obliged to send the appeal of the MPs, as it is only his right, but not an obligation.
"Such actions remain within the framework of a political or private initiative, which, incidentally, can also be realised through officials and bodies of the Council of Europe, including such as PACE. <...> In case the head of the Ukrainian parliament refuses such an appeal, alternatives should be sought," he added.
As reported by the UOJ, the MPs called on the speaker of the Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk to appeal to the Venice Commission because of the ban of the UOC.
Read also
MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople
Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.
In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict
Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.
Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine
The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.
Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region
Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".
395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report
An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.
GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.