Amsterdam: Law 8371 is to be voted on next week
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Photo: portal.lviv
It has become known that MPs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine plan to introduce bill No. 8371, which effectively bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, into the agenda for next week. American lawyer for the UOC Robert Amsterdam wrote about this on his Twitter on July 17.
"The timing is highly provocative, coming right after the RNC – pushing an illegal bill to attack freedom of religion; a real slap in the face of Ukraine's benefactors," Amsterdam said.
The lawyer emphasized that he supports Ukraine's sovereignty and continued US assistance, but billions of taxpayer dollars require at least a commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
"The US can never be involved in funding the repression of an entire religion based on false pretense – it is against international law," he wrote.
As the UOJ reported, the U.S. Vice President could become a politician who criticized the persecution of the UOC. U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has chosen Ohio Senator JD Vance for this position.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.