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# UN Criticizes Ukraine for Imprisoning Christian Believers
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86644-un-criticizes-ukraine-for-imprisoning-christian-believers/
- Published: 2026-03-06T11:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:14:32.000Z
- Description: The UN warns Ukraine against violating religious freedom, citing arrests of conscientious objectors and attacks on UOC churches.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, UOC, Human rights, Ukraine Schism, United Nations

**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](https://uoc-news.church/2026/03/06/v-oon-vkazali-na-porushennya-prav-lyudini-shhodo-virospovidannya-v-ukrajini/?fbclid=IwdGRleAQX2bRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe1ByUT51PpXW0rsagENLa7wL%5FIpcwCcmmGjV4ddV11e2fBr6fyqPb0x8AHCs%5Faem%5FsGRr9QTlEkjIDf4XnPOnNQ#06-03-2026) 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.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/10/85409-un-experts-warn-ukraine-over-religious-freedom-violations-amid-crackdown-on-uoc-c1e9a6d027e6.jpg)On this topicUN Experts Warn Ukraine Over Religious Freedom Violations Amid Crackdown on UOC](https://uoj.news/news/85409-un-experts-warn-ukraine-over-religious-freedom-violations-amid-crackdown-on-uoc/)

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](https://uoj.news/news/85835-un-experts-raise-alarm-over-measures-targeting-estonian-orthodox-church) that UN experts raised alarm over measures targeting the Estonian Orthodox Church.