Greek media report on persecution of journalists in Ukraine

Photo: screenshot of the Romfea publication page

Greece's largest Orthodox media outlet, Romfea, informed its readers about the persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox journalists.

In a news piece dated April 8, the editorial team of Romfea published information about the speeches at a UN session by human rights activists, lawyers, and representatives of the UOC, who informed the audience about the persecution of journalists covering church events in Ukraine.

Greek-speaking readers learned that on April 2, 2024, during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, a dialogue took place between diplomats and representatives of international organizations regarding the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Ukraine. Speaking at this session were Metropolitan Theodosiy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Father Nikita Chekman, a lawyer representing the interests of UOC believers in various legal proceedings.

Greeks noted that the presentations by UOC speakers at the UN were organized by human rights organizations, members of the international human rights association "Church Against Xenophobia and Discrimination", and addressed the arrests of journalists and religious bloggers who published materials on violations of UOC believers' rights, as well as raids on the workplaces of lawyers providing legal assistance to UOC believers.

Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) called on the international community to protect the rights of the three employees of the Union of Orthodox Journalists arrested on March 12, 2024: Andriy Ovcharenko, Valeriy Stupnitsky, and Volodymyr Bobechko.

The Greek media emphasized that "the arrests of three journalists from the Union of Orthodox Journalists on March 12, 2024, the arrest of UOC priest Serhiy Chertylin, and the allegations of crimes against other employees of this publication and 'Pershy Kozatsky' indicate an attempt at the actual elimination of independent media in Ukraine."

Greeks concluded that such actions by Ukrainian authorities "bespeak violations of the rights of UOC believers" because "the work of independent media allows the international community to document human rights violations."

They also reported on the speech by lawyer Nikita Chekman, who informed the UN that simultaneous with the arrests of UOC journalists, illegal searches were conducted in the offices of human rights activists and lawyers associated with the Center for Legal Protection of the UOC, a legal aid program for believers and religious organizations affected by church raids and unlawful reregistrations.

"All these actions collectively confirm that the Ukrainian authorities have decided to get rid of human rights activists and journalists who publish facts of violations of believers' rights," writes the Greek media.

Romfea informed its readers that "members of the international human rights association 'Church Against Xenophobia and Discrimination', which includes hierarchs of Local Churches from different countries, human rights activists, and journalists, will contribute to the maximum public and international exposure of these cases, as well as organize international legal support to protect people - prisoners of conscience, who suffered for professing their religious beliefs, journalistic, and human rights activities."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to human rights activist Oleg Denisov, UOJ journalists will be included in the "Prisoners of Conscience" list.

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