Lawyer from USA Amsterdam to meet in Kyiv with UOC Synod members
American human rights activist Robert Amsterdam. Photo: facebook.com/robert.amsterdam
In the coming days, American human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam will come to Kyiv, where he will meet with members of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, representatives of the government, and Ukrainian MPs. This was reported to the UOJ by a source close to Amsterdam.
According to him, the meeting will discuss issues related to the bill №8371 banning the UOC.
In a comment to "Strana", Amsterdam noted that if the bill is passed in the second reading, he "will take both domestic and international legal steps."
"I am ready to meet with the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Mr. Yelensky, or their representatives (DESS – Ed.), if they wish, to help them find a way to support Ukraine in accordance with its international human rights obligations," he said.
At the same time, the human rights defender stated that he had planned a series of meetings with UOC lawyers, as well as illegally convicted and accused defenders of the Church.
"I would request meeting with members of the government, with members of the Rada and, you know, request honest exchange of views... <...> I would like to warn representatives of the government and parliament against the mistake and not give them a chance to organize a second reading for the bill (on the ban of the UOC – Ed.)," he said in an interview published on the Alexander Shelest YouTube channel.
As the UOJ reported, Robert Amsterdam sent the "White Book" to the Verkhovna Rada on the bill banning the UOC.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".