Photo: UN, Eskinder Debebebe / kremlin.ru / excerpt (CC BY 4.0)
Russia's UN representative, Vasily Nebenzya, stated at a Security Council meeting that it is the organization's duty to protect the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from attempts by Kiev authorities to destroy it. The meeting, initiated by Russia, focused on the persecution of the UOC, REN TV reported.
At the meeting, the Russian Permanent Representative exposed Ukraine's October law effectively outlawing the UOC. Mr. Nebenzya highlighted that Kiev's actions, surpassing even Nazi occupiers, aim to close the ancient church with millions of parishioners. He has also pointed out the Kiev regime's years-long campaign against the UOC, involving church seizures, priests's expulsions from the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, and state appropriation of UOC monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. He labeled the Ukrainian president a "newly-appointed persecutor of Christians."
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris added that Ukrainian law enforcers inadequately investigated cases of violence and threats against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as revealed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She called the law enforcers' response "inadequate" accusing them of neglecting to investigate and safeguard members of the canonical church. Mrs Kehris highlighted violations in legal proceedings against UOC members, citing twenty-six instances where defendants couldn't access legal representation.
Russkiy Mir
