UN human rights defenders told about criminal prosecution of UOC hierarchs

President of Public Advocacy Oleg Denisov. Photo: screenshot of the YouTube channel of NGO Public Advocacy

Head of the NGO Public Advocacy, Oleg Denisov, stated that he had informed representatives of UN member states about the situation of UOC hierarchs, who are human rights defenders by the nature of their activities, and about their criminal prosecution. He shared this in an address published on the NGO Public Advocacy YouTube channel.

Denisov took part in the regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is taking place in Geneva from February 26 to April 5, 2024.

During the discussion, representatives of UN member states reaffirmed their readiness to guarantee human rights defenders proper protection and conditions for their activities, as provided for by international law and UN standards. They criticized cases of unjustified arrests, detention, initiation of criminal cases, denial of visas, and restrictions on freedom of speech, which occur in certain countries.

On March 12, the lawyer met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, and handed over materials on the initiation of criminal cases against Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kaniv, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), Metropolitan Longin (Zhar), and Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh) of Tulchyn and Bratslav.

The head of NGO Public Advocacy told Ms. Lawlor about the beating of Metropolitan Longin, the arrest of his lawyer, and the death of another defender of the bishop due to poisoning.

Denisov also stated that "the systematic demands of the authorities to strengthen measures of restraint against Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv are a way of pressure to stop his testimony about violations of the rights of UOC believers in the UN. At the same time, the state of Ukraine should create conditions for unhindered human rights activities of Metropolitan Theodosiy, as provided for in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the support of which Ukraine constantly declares at international events."

The lawyer assured that further work with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Ukrainian human rights defenders will continue.

As reported by the NGO, Metropolitan Theodosiy spoke at the UN about repressions against UOC bishops and believers.

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