MFA: Ukraine does not violate believers' rights, mind Russia instead

MFA building. Photo: tva.ua

On January 10, the MFA issued a statement highlighting the state of religious freedom in territories temporarily occupied by Russia and reaffirming that there are no violations in Ukrainian-controlled areas.

“Numerous reports and assessments from influential international and foreign organizations, inclusively the Concluding observations of the UN Human Rights Committee and annual reports on the religious freedom of the U.S. Department of State, which designated Russia as a ‘country of special concern’, have documented egregious violations of religious freedom committed by the Russian invaders on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” the statement reads.

The Ministry urges the international community to "strongly condemn these flagrant human rights violations, particularly the right to freedom of conscience, in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation; strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation and increase pressure on Russian authorities; intensify efforts to bring to justice all those responsible for the crime of aggression, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity."

At the same time, the MFA insisted: “Despite the war conditions, Ukraine remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting and upholding religious freedom, adhering to the principles of international law that govern freedom of religion or belief.”

As previously reported by UOJ, a UN report pointed out that Ukraine has not demonstrated the legality of banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and stated that it awaits a response from Ukrainian authorities regarding the seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy.

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