Verkhovna Rada in panic over Amsterdam's human rights activities
Robert Amsterdam. Photo: raskolam.net
On March 18, 2024, an emergency meeting of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy was convened by the Verkhovna Rada due to the activities of the head of the international law firm "Amsterdam & Partners LLP," Robert Amsterdam. The authorities fear that he may influence the Ukrainian deputies and thus block Bill No. 8371, Ukrinform reports.
After the meeting, Committee member Volodymyr Viatrovych commented on the situation on his Facebook, calling it "unprecedented".
He was stirred by the letters "threatening the members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" regarding Bill No. 8371 from the American legal advocacy organization defending the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Committee decided to complain to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) so that they would pass on the information to their American colleagues. Allegedly, MPs learned that the former MP V. Novinsky finances the international organization.
Earlier, LB.ua speculated on this topic: "In particular, who and how pays for Amsterdam's work for the UOC-MP? Novinsky is under sanctions, so logically, there should be some intermediary."
Such assumptions, obviously, in the opinion of MPs, are a worthy reason to appeal to the FBI to prevent Robert Amsterdam from defending the rights of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
As the UOJ reported, on March 15, in view of the ongoing persecutions against the Church and the government's willing to adopt criminal draft law 8371, Robert Amsterdam wrote an appeal to the Speaker of Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Ukrainian MPs.
Read also
In Khmelnytsky Oblast, the TCC abducted the rector of the community in Sutkovtsi
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn is already at the training ground.
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.