UOC appeals to UN to transfer bill 8371 to Venice Commission

Metropolitan Theodosiy's speech at the UN. Photo: screenshot from the UN YouTube channel

On March 8, 2024, during the "Panel discussion on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence", the UN Human Rights Council heard a video address from Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and the head of the human rights organization with consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council "PublicAdvocacy", Oleg Denisov, as reported by the PublicAdvocacy website.

Metropolitan Theodosiy reported on the court's condemnation of Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn to 5 years in prison essentially for his statements and sermons, which are part of freedom of speech and cannot constitute grounds for criminal charges.

Human rights activist Oleg Denisov emphasized in his speech that the authorities do not hold criminals, who seize churches and incite violence against UOC believers, accountable for their offenses.

"The atmosphere of impunity leads to new crimes. Recently, Metropolitan Longin was severely beaten, narrowly escaping death. One of his lawyers reportedly died from poisoning, and the second lawyer was arrested," the human rights activist said.

He emphasized that Metropolitan Theodosiy, speaking at the UN, recently received his fourth set of criminal charges for daring to criticize the seizure of a church in his diocese.

"A few days ago, the prosecutor's office filed a motion with the court to place Metropolitan Theodosiy in a pre-trial detention center. This way, the authorities want to stop his speeches at the UN," the human rights activist said.

Metropolitan Theodosiy and Oleg Denisov called on UN member states and authorized officials to transfer the so-called "UOC-banning law" (bill 8371) for expert examination by the Venice Commission and to prevent the imposition of criminal penalties on UOC bishops for freedom of speech and expression of their religious views and beliefs.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to MP Dmytruk, law enforcement agencies are sabotaging the investigation into the beatings and seizure in Cherkasy.

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