115 cases of assistance to UOC: Legal Defence Centre sums up the results

The Legal Defence Centre of the UOC was established in January 2024. As of March 1, it is handling 115 cases, proceedings, and applications, reports the Telegram channel "Myriany" (“Laity”).

According to human rights activists, this period has been characterized by "painstaking legal work, consultations, meetings, court sessions, documenting crimes and immediate assistance to those communities and faithful of the UOC who need it urgently."

The Centre is handling 36 criminal cases against those who obstructed worship, incited hatred and restricted the rights of UOC believers.

Lawyers are currently providing assistance to 80 Orthodox communities and have received and processed 141 inquiries from believers.

The Legal Centre has also developed templates for procedural documents to be submitted to state authorities that restrict believers' access to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Lawyers are handling 69 cases, defending the rights of the monastery and believers, including 6 involving monks and 35 involving parishioners. They are also supporting 19 proceedings related to "activists" committing offences during prayer vigils (under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on the violation of citizens' equality based on their religious beliefs).

According to lawyers, the process continues: "New people, monks and laymen are joining and defending the shrine".

Currently, legal representation is provided to 10 UOC religious communities in courts.

During the Centre's operation, legal experts have consulted 70 parishes, provided instructions to counter illegal "transfers" and conducted five comprehensive anti-raider events.

Additionally, the Centre provides advice to six clergy lawyers.

Five criminal proceedings have been initiated to defend the honour and dignity of UOC believers.

In light of the possible imminent adoption of a law banning the UOC, "Myriany" predicts that the "urgent assistance" of lawyers will be needed for thousands of communities simultaneously.

"We must work proactively and prepare. We cannot cope without your help. We are launching a March recruitment campaign for an enhanced team of Orthodox lawyers at the Centre," they wrote on the Telegram channel and published the details.

Assistance can be sought at the address: Kyiv, 16 Lavrska Street, office 304. (Lavrsky Business Centre) Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 19:00. Consultations are available during the Centre's working hours at +380 (96) 941 21 01.

As reported, on 19 December 2023, hierarchs of Local Churches announced the creation of an organization to defend the Church.