Lawyer: UOC-banning law could hinder Ukraine's path to the EU

Distinguished Lawyer of Ukraine Valeria Lutkovska. Photo: podrobnosti.ua

Valeria Lutkovska, Ombudsperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights (2012-2018) and distinguished lawyer of Ukraine, discussed the possible consequences of adopting draft law No. 8371, which effectively bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), for Ukraine. In her interview with comments.ua, Lutkovska drew attention to the inconsistency of this draft law with international law norms.

"The Council of Europe, of which Ukraine has been a member for over twenty years, has as its main principle the protection of human rights, at the heart of which lies the European Convention on Human Rights. I have previously mentioned that the draft law references Article 9 of the Convention but unfortunately distorts its letter and spirit," said the lawyer.

In her opinion, the adoption of such a law will have negative consequences for the state.

"Regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union, which is an unconditional demand of Ukrainian society, it is no secret that one of the requirements for Ukraine's entry into this organization is the establishment of a human rights protection system. After reviewing the draft law being discussed, it seems to me that this draft will in no way contribute to meeting this requirement. Accordingly, the adoption of this draft is more likely to become a problem for joining the European Union, which definitely does not meet the expectations of the Ukrainian people," she concluded.

As reported by the UOJ, the head of the NGO "Intermarium Institute", which studies socio-political processes in Ukraine and the world, political expert Valentyn Haidai stated that oppression of freedom of religion in the context of Ukraine's final stage of European integration is inappropriate.

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