DESS official Horshkov: Bill 8371 contradicts international obligations
Head of the Department for Cooperation with Religious Communities of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Vyacheslav Horshkov. Photo: sobor.com.ua
Bill No. 8371, which de facto bans the UOC and is currently being pushed for a second reading vote by representatives of the Verkhovna Rada, does not comply with Ukraine's international obligations, said Vyacheslav Horshkov, head of the Department for Cooperation with Religious Communities of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, in an interview with the Apostrophe.
According to him, Ukraine is currently in the process of European integration, which involves reviewing Ukrainian legislation for compliance with European norms.
"The amendments presented for the second reading contain provisions that contradict international obligations. We cannot imagine how we will defend this law if these amendments are passed," said Horshkov.
The official is convinced that after the adoption of the anti-church law, lawsuits to the European Court of Human Rights are sure to follow.
"Won't it be a disgrace for Ukraine when people win lawsuits and the Ukrainian state will have to compensate it with money? " he added.
As reported by the UOJ, DESS wants to finalize Law 8371 so that ‘’it does not become a laughing stock”.
Read also
In Volyn, the OCU consecrated a memorial sign to a UPA commander
In the village of Botyn, representatives of the OCU supported the glorification of UPA figures at the state level by consecrating a monument to a commander.
UOC deacon dies saving drowning child in Finland
The deacon immediately rushed to help after seeing the child in danger, but could not make it back to shore himself.
The TCC abducted a priest of the Tulchyn Diocese of the UOC
The whereabouts of the archpriest of the UOC detained by the TCC are currently unknown.
Pagan Kupala festival held on Odesa seashore
An ethno-festival titled “Kupala Night” was held on an inclusive beach in Odesa.
Zelensky: I am not Prince Volodymyr, and Nawrocki is not a king
Zelensky attempted a play on the Polish president’s name by alluding to a “king,” although the name Karol derives from the Germanic Karl rather than from the word “king.”
March in defense of family and Christian upbringing held in Macedonia
In the city of Bitola, thousands of faithful joined a march to defend young people’s right to live according to the norms of the Orthodox faith.