DESS head reveals where faith is now persecuted "worse than in the USSR"
Conference "Church – Science – Society: Issues of Interaction". Photo: DESS
The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky at the round table "Freedom of Conscience under Occupation" in Kyiv stated that the persecution of believers in the Russian Federation is "worse than in the USSR", reports DESS of Ukraine.
According to him, practices that have surpassed the late Soviet period in their cruelty are being applied in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In particular, he gave an example that if under Brezhnev, conscientious objectors from among Jehovah's Witnesses received 2–3 years of imprisonment, today in the Russian Federation believers of this organization receive real sentences of 6–8 years for their beliefs and peaceful assemblies.
Yelensky characterized modern Russia as a "natural enemy of religious freedom," mentioned totalitarian-type allies and emphasized the need to document crimes against believers in the temporarily occupied territories, guaranteeing confidentiality to those who provide information to the service.
As the UOJ reported, DESS intends to file lawsuits against every UOC eparchy.
Read also
U.S. bans LGBT programs in hospitals for veterans
The Trump administration eliminated gender ideology in the veterans' healthcare system, cutting funding for sex-change operations.
Israeli authorities unlawfully seize Jerusalem Church land in Silwan
Israeli security forces raided a church-owned plot in Jerusalem and fenced off the area, depriving the clergy of access to the property.
Israel removes Palestinians from mosque control in Hebron
Israel's Finance Minister announced scrapping parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement, seizing planning and construction powers covering the Ibrahimi Mosque from Palestinian authorities.
Pope comments on strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra without mentioning Russia
The Pontiff expressed condolences over the destruction of churches and the loss of life in Kyiv, calling for prayers for the opening of “paths of dialogue.”
Primate of Estonian Church sends letter of support to Metropolitan Onuphry
Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn expressed condolences over the damage to the Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral and called war an evil incompatible with the Gospel of peace.
Criminal case opened against Lavra reserve for seizing monastery buildings
The Pechersk Court ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged arbitrariness of the reserve leadership.