Arakhamia: Expertise of law on UOC by Venice Commission needed to join EU
The head of the Servant of the People faction, Davyd Arakhamia. Photo: rada.gov.ua
The head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, David Arakhamia, has said that Ukraine needs the expertise of the draft law on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Venice Commission in order to join the EU. He wrote this in a comment to the publication of the former Deputy Minister of Information Policy Dmytro Zolotukhin on Facebook.
David Arakhamia noted that he does not see any "betrayal" in the MPs’ initiative, and the examination will not be able to delay the consideration of the bill in the Parliament.
"Given the difficulty of going through the opening of the negotiation procedure with the EU, it is necessary to have a 100% guarantee that this will not be put on our heads as a violation of religious rights. Therefore, the Venice Commission is a normal decision," he added.
As reported, the MPs urged Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk to appeal to the Venice Commission over the UOC the ban.
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.