Venice Commission to review alternative service issue in Ukraine
Illustrative photo: dalma.news
On December 4, 2024, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine sent a written request for an amicus curiae opinion to the Venice Commission regarding alternative (non-military) service, according to the Commission's official website.
The draft amicus curiae brief will be submitted for adoption at the 142nd plenary session of the Commission on March 14–15, 2025.
Currently, Ukraine faces a legal gap regarding the application of alternative civilian service (ACS) during wartime. While the right to alternative service is guaranteed during peacetime, under martial law courts have broad discretion in interpreting this right, according to commentary from the Telegram channel "Christians Against War". It has been noted that this situation has resulted in dozens of Ukrainian believers who refuse military service facing criminal prosecution.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Ukraine does not violate believers' rights.
Read also
Bulgarian Patriarch prays for reconciliation between Ukraine and Russia
On the anniversary of Sofia’s liberation from Ottoman rule, Patriarch Daniel prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine.
President of Georgia congratulates Patriarch Ilia on his 93rd birthday
Mikheil Kavelashvili congratulated the Primate of the Georgian Church on his birthday.
UOC Primate: We must live so that our descendants remember us with love
On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, His Beatitude reminded the faithful that the Lord came to save not only the righteous, but sinners as well.
OCU journalist: it was under Maliuk that SBU began to "drive out" UOC
Koshkina emphasized Maliuk's role in the persecutions of the Church by the SBU.
Usyk expresses support for SBU head Maliuk
A parishioner of the UOC, Oleksandr Usyk, published a photo with the SBU head and the caption "We support Maliuk".
UOC Social Department in Kyiv distributes humanitarian aid to IDPs
Employees of the Social Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) held a charitable event to support internally displaced persons.