Rights defenders send materials to Bundestag on persecution of UOC believers
The building of the Bundestag. Photo: bundestag.de
The International Human Rights Alliance "Church Against Xenophobia and Discrimination" has submitted materials to the Bundestag, indicating the persecution of believers of the UOC, reports the Telegram channel of the Alliance.
Rights defenders of the international alliance have submitted remarks to the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the Bundestag (Ausschuss für Menschenrechte und humanitäre Hilfe) regarding the Third Report of the Federal Government of Germany on the Global State of Freedom of Religion and Beliefs.
Informational materials on the situation of religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been submitted for consideration by the Committee before the date of parliamentary hearings, which were scheduled for April 24, 2024.
In addition to written testimonies from UOC dioceses, expert opinions on the bill "On the Prohibition of the UOC", prepared by the international law firm "Amsterdam and Partners," were attached to the appeal, as well as the widely distributed "White Book" of reports on violations of the rights of UOC believers.
The written appeal on behalf of the Alliance was signed by Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kaniv of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Timotheos (Margaritis) of Vostra of the Exarchate of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the island of Cyprus of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Theodosios (Hanna) of Sebastia of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, as well as other participants of the Alliance.
According to rights defenders, "this step is another action aimed at informing the international community, positioning itself as defenders of religious freedom, about the actual situation of UOC believers."
Participants of the Alliance have promised that they "will continue the further dialogue with members of the Bundestag and national parliaments of other countries to find effective ways to protect religious freedom in Ukraine and around the world."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that hierarchs of Local Churches announced the creation of an organization to defend the Church.
Read also
Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries
Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.
TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy
Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.
Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots
U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."
In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering
The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.
Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God
The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.
Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible
"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.