Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 2, 2025, responded to a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, published on December 31, 2024, which raised concerns about alleged restrictions on religious freedoms in Ukraine.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reviewed the 41st Periodic Report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, published on December 31, 2024. We reject the UN’s conclusions regarding amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations’ as they distort the facts,” the Ministry stated in its response.
The Ministry emphasized that the law in question does not ban any existing churches in Ukraine.
“This legislation merely prevents religious organizations in Ukraine from being subordinate to governing centers located in a country that has engaged in armed aggression against Ukraine and/or temporarily occupied part of its territory, as well as religious organizations that support such aggression,” the statement added.
The Ministry also highlighted concerns about violations of religious freedoms in occupied territories and encouraged the UN to consider the broader context in future reports.
“We expect the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to provide objective assessments of the real situation with religious freedom in Ukraine in its reports and to continue documenting Russian crimes against Ukrainian believers, religious communities and leaders, as well as church property,” the Ministry stated.
Previously, it was reported that the law banning the activities of churches affiliated with Russia came into force in Ukraine on September 23, 2024, althrough they still have 7 months to cut off all ties with their Russian overseers.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
