Amsterdam: The parliament is ready to pass the law banning the UOC
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is one of the very few sources of independent thought left in Ukraine, the lawyer believes.
"Sadly, we are informed that Ukraine’s majority lawmakers are determined to move forward and pass a draft bill that will unequivocally destroy religious freedom in the country," American lawyer Robert Amsterdam wrote in his X on April 19, 2024.
He believes that one shouldn’t be surprised, as they’ve already destroyed freedom of speech, political opposition, and engaged in targeted kleptocracy of anyone not in the ruling clique.
"The sad fact is that the UOC is one of the very few sources of independent thought left in Ukraine, and embarrassingly for the government, has even set up 70 parishes outside of Ukraine to look after refugees while Kyiv splashes millions of dollars around DC lobbyists," emphasized the international human rights defender.
As reported by the UOJ, Robert Amsterdam, the head of the international human rights company Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated that he had sent personal letters to members of the Verkhovna Rada regarding the responsibility and personal sanctions for bill No. 8371, but they avoided communication with lawyers.