U.S. concerned about UOC ban in Ukraine
The U.S. ambassador urges Ukrainian authorities to give international community an opportunity for “independent review of the law”.
On 7 October 2024, the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference discussed freedom of religion or belief, which is restricted in some OSCE participating States, reports the website of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE.
The report by Ambassador Michael G. Kozak, head of the U.S. delegation at the WHDC, focuses on Ukraine's law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and religious institutions associated with it.
“We are concerned by the law’s potential to collectively punish entire religious communities and blemish Ukraine’s historically robust support for religious freedom,” Kozak said.
Michael Kozak stated that the OSCE's attention is focused on the mechanisms for implementing this law. “We will continue to carefully monitor the implementation of the law and sincerely hope it is in line with Ukraine’s international commitments and obligations,” resumed the head of the U.S. delegation.
The conference participants called on OSCE member states to adhere to UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 and its action plan to combat intolerance based on religion or belief.
As reported by the UOJ, the law banning the UOC came into force on 23 September 2024.
