DESS Head Acknowledges UOC Could Prevail at European Court of Human Rights

KYIV — The head of Ukraine's State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Viktor Yelensky, has acknowledged that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) could ultimately prevail before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) if the court determines that enforcement of Ukraine's law banning certain religious organizations violates freedom of religion.

Speaking about the legal process, Yelensky said the UOC would have the right to appeal to the ECHR after exhausting all available domestic legal remedies in Ukraine should the country's courts uphold a ban on the Church.

"If the ECHR determines that this concerns the article guaranteeing freedom of conscience, then it may issue such a ruling," Yelensky said, acknowledging that the European court could side with the faithful if it finds a violation of religious freedom.

The DESS chief added that, according to legal experts, the outcome of any case before the ECHR will depend largely on how Ukrainian authorities implement the legislation governing the prohibition of religious organizations.

Yelensky's comments come as legal proceedings concerning the implementation of the law affecting the UOC continue within Ukraine's court system.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the UOC had secured a procedural victory in its ongoing legal battle with the DESS.