UN Criticizes Ukraine for Imprisoning Christian Believers
The UN warns Ukraine against violating religious freedom, citing arrests of conscientious objectors and attacks on UOC churches.
KYIV — The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has published a report titled “Four Years Since the Start of the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine: Key Facts and Findings,” highlighting concerns over freedom of religion in government-controlled areas. According to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Information and Educational Department, the report draws attention to the imprisonment of Christian believers who sought conscientious objection to military service, noting that the Supreme Court of Ukraine upheld these convictions.
The UN emphasizes that international law does not permit restrictions on the right to conscientious objection. The report also criticizes amendments to Ukrainian legislation on religious organizations, adopted under the pretext of national security, as impermissible restrictions on religious freedom.
Human rights defenders further note that authorities have filed a lawsuit seeking to terminate the activities of the UOC, citing alleged ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, while groups of individuals reportedly used force to enter UOC churches, referencing local registration decisions for rival Orthodox communities.
Previously, the UOJ reported that UN experts raised alarm over measures targeting the Estonian Orthodox Church.
