UN reports oppression of the UOC by state structures

The UOC Representation to European International Organizations draws attention to the report of the Office of the High Commissioner at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, which ended on October 7, 2022 in Geneva, and to the commentary of the Public Advocacy human rights organization. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The document notes that the local authorities of at least seven territorial communities in the Kyiv, Sumy and Lviv regions temporarily suspended the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the duration of martial law.

“Local authorities, for instance the City Council of the Brovary District in Kyiv region, also prohibited meetings, rallies, marches, as well as other mass events of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the duration of martial law, without providing a clear justification for the prohibition. This suspension raises concerns as to its compliance with international human rights standards. Authorities did not explain the basis on which such measures were introduced, or how they were deemed necessary and proportional to protect public safety, order, health, morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, as required by article 18(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, as activities of other regional communities and organizations have not been suspended, this unfavourable treatment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may amount to a discriminatory measure on the ground of religion or affiliation with a particular religious group,” the report says.

The report covers the period from February 1 to July 30, 2022. During these six months, several reports by various structures of the UOC about the illegal actions of local governments against the Church were published on the official websites of the UOC. Similar statements and messages were disseminated by ecclesiastical and secular media, which drew attention to violations of the rights of believers and religious organizations of the UOC by decisions of local governments to suspend, ban it or otherwise restrict its activities.

The UN notes that manifestations of hatred, aggression and acts of discrimination against religious organizations of the UOC and its believers are the subject of monitoring at the international level and will continue to cause a response from the international community.

Thus, local governments and other persons should take into account that the norms of international law prohibit any manifestations of hatred on religious grounds, and the existing monitoring missions of international organizations track such manifestations.

The Representation of the UOC to European International Organizations reiterates that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an independent religious denomination with a center of administration in Kyiv, whose believers are citizens of Ukraine; that it acts within the framework of Ukrainian legislation and opposes hatred on religious or any other grounds.

Therefore, the decision of local governments to restrict the rights of believers and religious organizations of the UOC, including attempts to “suspend”, “prohibit”, “limit” or otherwise deprive rights or create obstacles to the implementation of legal rights of believers of the UOC is a violation of both national legislation and international law, and hence such decisions have no legal force.

The Representation of the UOC to European International Organizations will continue to assist international organizations in obtaining reliable information about the violation of the UOC believers' rights, notably in cases where believers and religious organizations of the UOC cannot receive proper legal protection at the national level.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Chancellor of the UOC told the EU ambassadors about attempts to ban the UOC.