Shmyhal instructs State Ethnopolitics to respond to ‘No UOC ban’ petition

Denys Shmyhal. Photo: technowar.ru

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, in response to a petition calling not to ban the UOC, instructed the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience to work out the issues raised in it, reports interfax.com.ua.

On March 15, 2023, a petition against the UOC ban gained the 25,000 votes necessary for consideration.

“Given that the issues raised in the petition are of a complex nature, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience was instructed to work them out and inform the author of the petition and the Cabinet of Ministers about the results,” reads the Prime Minister’s response to the petition, which was made public on April 1.

The petition "Do not ban the UOC" has collected 25,014 signatures of Ukrainians on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers. Signatures were collected 20 days before the end of voting.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine undertook to consider the petition "Do not ban the UOC" within ten days.

As reported, the head of the State Ethnopolitics detailed how the UOC could be banned.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.