Lawyers of UOC record a video testimony for international organizations
Archpriest Nikita Chekman and Oleg Denisov. Photo: Screenshot from the YouTube channel NGO Public Advocacy.
The president of the human rights organization NGO Public Advocacy, Oleg Denisov, conducted an interview with the UOC lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman. This video testimony about violations of the rights of UOC clergy and believers was published on the NGO Public Advocacy YouTube channel on March 26, 2024, and will be submitted to international organizations.
UOC lawyer Father Nikita Chekman spoke about specific instances of violations of the rights of UOC believers, such as the so-called "transfers" of UOC communities to the OCU, forcible seizure of temples, searches at his workplace as a lawyer, arrests of UOJ journalists, and more.
"We will draw the attention of the international community to these facts," said Oleg Denisov. "We will distribute this material as your testimony, and based on it, we will prepare the relevant legal international appeal."
Denisov emphasized that when it comes to religious issues, all international communities and countries handle this sphere with care. Especially in the case of citizens who simply practice their faith, as with UOC believers, "there should be no claims against them."
Denisov concluded that special attention from international human rights defenders will be drawn to the violation of guarantees of legal activities for defenders of the UOC.
"We will try to organize your speech at the UN Human Rights Session as soon as possible. We will need to prepare complaints to UN special rapporteurs and to the EU committees responsible for protecting freedom of speech and religious freedoms, notably for human rights defenders and lawyers," said the head of NGO Public Advocacy.
As reported by the UOJ, UN human rights defenders were informed about the criminal prosecution of UOC metropolitans.
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".