Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reacted to the discontent of parts of communities over the transition from the UOC (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) to the OCU, stressing that Ukraine is open and tolerant to all religions, and that the rights of believers are protected by law.
The ombudsman reported this on Telegram, writes UNN.
Dmytro Lubinets says that in February – April 2023, territorial communities of Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Kherson, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, and Lviv regions were visited.
No significant violations or conflict situations were recorded. As the ombudsman notes, community members’ expression of will in each case was free and transparent. The police were responsible for the security of the relevant meetings and other such events.
However, the ombudsman stresses that, if a part of the community does not agree with the decision to change affiliation, they have the right to create a new religious community and enter into an agreement on the use of the religious building and property with their owner.
Lubinets noted that during the monitoring, a clear trend was noted toward the desire of religious communities to make the transition to the confessional affiliation with the OCU.
He also emphasized that he is open to dialogue with representatives of all religions and denominations. And, in case of violation of rights, believers can turn to him.
Memo
Russia’s full-scale invasion provoked the transition of religious communities to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This process was most active in April, May, and June 2022. During these three months, the parishes of the OCU were replenished with 473 communities.
Membership in religious communities is based on the principles of free will, as well as on the requirements of the charter of the religious community.
