UN awaits Ukrainian govt's response to seizure of UOC cathedral in Cherkasy

Photo: UOJ

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published a Report highlighting the events of October 17, 2024, in Cherkasy, which involved the forcible seizure of the Holy Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and subsequent clashes between members of different religious communities.

According to the OHCHR report, on October 17, 2024, three consecutive incidents of violence occurred in Cherkasy involving supporters, clergy, and parishioners from various Orthodox communities.

"The series of events was initiated by a group of unidentified individuals wearing camouflage without insignia who forcefully evicted UOC clergy and parishioners from UOC premises around 4 a.m.," the report states.

The report further notes that, according to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), "at least 10 men and four women among their followers were injured and required medical treatment."

The OHCHR observes: "Law enforcement officers present on the site in at least two of these incidents did not appear to effectively separate supporters of different communities until late morning."

The police have announced the initiation of a criminal investigation "for hooliganism" in relation to the event. The OHCHR states that it "continues to monitor the authorities' reaction to the incident."

As previously reported by UOJ, the UN report stated that Ukraine had failed to justify the necessity and proportionality of measures aimed at dissolving religious organizations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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