Dmytro Lubinets, the authorized representative of the Verkhovna Rada on human rights, considers the criticism from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, regarding Bill No. 8371 banning religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and controlled from the Russian Federation, as undeserved.
"The High Commissioner is considered one of the most authoritative human rights defenders in the world, which is why he holds such a position. Following this example, I don't believe we deserve any criticism. Even the definitions used by Mr. Türk suggesting that this bill bans one of the confessions in Ukraine... But that's not true," the ombudsman said during a broadcast of the national telethon 'Unified News UArazom' on Wednesday. This was reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
Lubinets has explained that Bill No. 8371 aims to provide the State Service of Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience the opportunity to file "a similar lawsuit, and only a Ukrainian court can decide on this, but the bill does not resolve this."
"In my opinion, as of now, there are no violations of believers' rights in Ukraine," emphasized the Ukrainian ombudsman.
However, he added that it is more important for international institutions, created to protect people's rights in the world and particularly in Ukraine, to work effectively.
Previously, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that Bill No. 8371, adopted in the first reading, banning religious organizations affiliated with the ROC, does not comply with international human rights legislation.