The head of the international human rights company Amsterdam & Partners LLP, Robert Amsterdam, who represents the legal interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has recorded a video message regarding the persecution of clerics and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The human rights activist called on the Ukrainian government to refuse to pass the discriminatory bill #8371, calling it divisive to “the population of Ukraine.” The video was published in the lawyer’s account in social network X.

“I would like […] for the government to stop any discussion of further adoption of the bill #8371. This bill, which aims to destroy the UOC, is nothing but a manifestation of hate speech. Attacking Christians in times of war, expelling believers from their churches, denying citizens access to places where they can pray is absolutely unacceptable. And the fact that this has now become the policy of the Ukrainian government cannot be endorsed or supported. I urge the government to stop considering this project and stop dividing the population, pitting brother against brother”, – the UOC lawyer said.

The human rights activist added that he has compiled a 250-page report detailing the facts of persecution of clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“Many journalists ask us: what evidence do you have of these attacks on priests? Well, we were able to compile all this evidence into a 250-page report that documents the attacks on the Church, including the attacks on Lavra and the seminaries (KSAS, – ed.). At a time when the Ukrainian government and officials are in disarray, churches are being looted and priests are being beaten”, – said Robert Amsterdam.

We shall remind you that earlier Robert Amsterdam called Law No. 8371, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, “a form of purposeful discrimination that will collectively punish innocent Ukrainian citizens by depriving them of their church.”