Rivne authorities respond to petition seeking ban on UOC audio broadcasts

Viktor Shakyrzian. Photo: Shakyrzian’s Facebook account

Acting Rivne Mayor Viktor Shakyrzian has issued an official response to an electronic petition calling for a ban on the use of outdoor loudspeakers to broadcast UOC services, a local media outlet reports.

Shakyrzian said the city authorities had already taken the necessary steps within the scope of their powers and under current legislation. In particular, the Rivne City Council appealed to law enforcement agencies and the State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection to verify how religious communities are complying with rules on maintaining silence in public places.

The mayor’s office also sent a separate letter directly to the Rivne eparchy. The eparchy was instructed to use sound amplification equipment strictly in accordance with the law.

“An appeal was sent to the Rivne eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding the need to comply with the requirements of current legislation when using sound amplification equipment during worship services,” Shakyrzian said.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that an MP had backed the petition calling for a ban on UOC broadcasts in Rivne.

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