At the invitation of Canadian ambassador Larisa Galadza, a meeting was held with the heads of Churches and religious organizations of Ukraine.
The event was attended by The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Metropolitan Epifaniy, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav, president of the Association of Jewish religious organizations of Ukraine Rabbi Yakov Dov Bleich, head of the spiritual administration of Muslims of Ukraine Sheikh Ahmed Tamim. Archbishop Yevstratiy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn of the OCU and Chairman of the board of the Institute for Religious Freedom Olexander Zayets were also attending.
The meeting participants discussed the efforts of the religious community of Ukraine in countering domestic violence, in particular within the framework of the Institute of Religious Freedom Project, which is implemented with the participation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations supported by the Embassy of Canada.
The Canadian ambassador paid particular attention to the human rights situation in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions not controlled by the Government of Ukraine, as well as in the occupied Crimea. Religious figures spoke about the problem of infringement of the rights of believers and religious minorities, targeted persecution on religious grounds and lack of access for effective international monitoring.
The participants discussed initiatives aimed at ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men, as well as general issues related to the sustainable democratic development of Ukraine.
Ms. Larisa Galadza listened with great interest to the opinions of religious leaders. She noted that Canada has always been and will ever be a friendly partner for Ukraine, for our state and civil society institutions, among which churches and religious organizations play an essential role.