Amsterdam: MPs want to force Ukrainians to accept OCU as the state church

American lawyer Robert Amsterdam. Photo: departurespodcast.com

Robert Amsterdam, head of the international human rights company Amsterdam & Partners LLP, who is a lawyer for the UOC, in response to criticism from MPs of his activities, stated that the duty of a lawyer is to clearly and unequivocally express a warning about predatory and discriminatory legislation against the UOC. He reported this in a comment to Strana.ua.

According to the lawyer, the bill in the version for consideration in the second reading is clearly aimed not only at destroying the UOC, but also at abolishing fundamental principles of law and coercing the people of Ukraine to essentially accept the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as the state church.

As the UOJ reported, lawyer and Archpriest Nikita Chekman disclosed information from the indictment to one of the detained Orthodox journalists and human rights defenders on March 12 – Archpriest Sergiy Chertilin about the fact that the OCU, according to the prosecution, is an "attribute of statehood".

Read also

Pražská katedrála slaví páté výročí posvěcení nového prestolu

V devadesátileté historii chrámu sv. Cyrila a Metoděje proběhlo svěcení prestolu již třikrát – v letech 1935, 1947 a 2021.

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.