In the annual human rights report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom published on May 1, only one paragraph is devoted to the UOC. The commission did not see any particular violations of the rights of believers in Ukraine.
It is noted that after the start of the “full-scale Russian aggression” in February 2022, the Ukrainian authorities “carefully studied” (increasingly scrutinized) the UOC. It is emphasized that it is “historically and ecclesiastical” (ecclesiastically) connected with the Moscow Patriarchate, despite the announcement in May 2022 of “complete independence and autonomy”.
The document also lists the actions of the authorities: SSU searches at the facilities of the UOC, initiation of dozens of criminal cases against the clergy of the UOC for “collaborationism”, “pro-Russian propaganda” and “justification of Russian aggression”.
In conclusion, the commission said that although at the end of 2022 the Ukrainian parliament had not adopted any of the anti-church bills, the likelihood of this remains, which causes “serious concern”.
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Странно, конечно. Не увидеть дела рук своих.