Actions of biased civil servants undermine the authority of Ukraine, – Bishop of Baryshevka Victor

With connivance of bureaucrats, not only the clash of the state and civil society is provoked, but the commitment of our country to European values and freedoms is also called into question, said Bishop of Baryshevka Victor, said head of the mission in his interview with Arguments and Facts.

"When some officials face public criticism of their unlawful actions, they always start loudly declaring that they are not touched by them, but Ukraine. An official simply has no right to leave his state high and dry. After all, his illegal actions can have far-reaching consequences, "said the representative of the UOC.

"For example, in November 2017, at the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Universal Periodic Review will consider the implementation of Ukraine's international obligations for the observance and protection of human rights. In the light of this, the continual various violations by some representatives of the state apparatus towards Orthodox believers will unequivocally play against our country, undermining its international authority and image," the Bishop expressed his opinion.

Bishop Victor cited as an example the situation of blocking by the interested officials of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine the process of registering statutes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: "The case went so far that we even had to sue to protect our rights."

"And here the question arises what is really damaging our country – our public assessment of the misconduct of the Ministry or these illegal actions themselves? I think the answer is obvious," concluded the hierarch.