Amsterdam requests UNSC to urgently address persecution of UOC
UN Security Council. Photo: pbs.twimg.com
Robert Amsterdam, a lawyer acting on behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, sent an open letter on May 22, 2024, to the current President of the UN Security Council, His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Rublic of Mozambique. A press release on this matter was distributed through media channels, as reported by savetheuoc.com.
In the 18-page letter, which details numerous instances of illegal encroachments on religious freedom, unlawful arrests of priests, and human rights violations by the Ukrainian government, there is a request to President Nyusi to expedite the consideration of the attack on the UOC by the UN Security Council in light of the expected adoption of a law banning the entire denomination.
"The honorable delegation from Mozambique has itself already spoken bravely against the suppression of religious freedom in Ukraine during two previous Security Council meetings," writes Amsterdam in the letter, referring to the Security Council transcripts dated January 17 and November 17, 2023.
Amsterdam's aim by putting this matter on the agenda of the Security Council is to ensure that Ukraine remains committed to the fundamental principles of international law and human rights.
According to the human rights defender, "The Ukrainian government has turned religion into a weapon of social control, dominating the religious space in the country through its support for the OCU, creating religious strife amongst its people." "There can no longer be any doubt that Ukraine is engaging in severe violations of religious freedom," the letter states.
"I am confident that you will find powerful confirmation of Ukraine’s systematic, on-going, and egregious violations of the freedom of religion and hope that a Security Council discussion would give the government of Ukraine the chance to reverse course before irreparable harm is done both to the freedom of religion and to Ukraine’s stature in the international community," the lawyer concludes.
The full copy of the letter can be downloaded from the savetheuoc.com website.
As reported by the UOJ, Amsterdam previously sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner regarding the campaign against 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".