UOC-MP statement can be seen as incitement to religious hatred, - SSUEFC

This conclusion was reached by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (SSUEFC).

"The Synod is the governing body of this religious association, and therefore, such statements cannot be regarded as unsuccessful formulations of individuals who belong to a religious association, but do not represent the official position of the religious organization.

Please note that all religious associations of Ukraine have the right to appeal against decisions of local or central authorities, local self-government bodies, and their officials in accordance with the procedure established by law. Disagreement with the decisions does not give any right and in no way can serve as an excuse for humiliating the honor and dignity of the clergy and faithful of another religious association of Ukraine.

Similarly, any statements or actions of representatives of a particular religious association that contradict the current legislation of Ukraine can be appealed in accordance with the procedure established by law and in no way give the right and cannot serve as an excuse for humiliating the honor and dignity of the clergy or believers of this religious association.

Please note that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is an officially registered religious association that responds to the request of millions of Ukrainian Orthodox believers to belong to such an Orthodox Church that does not have an affiliation with a religious association on the territory of the Russian Federation, which carried out the first invasion of the territory of Ukraine in 2014, and since February 24 of this year began a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, full of both war crimes and numerous signs of the genocide of the Ukrainian people and hate crimes.

Please note that the legislation of Ukraine guarantees everyone the right to honor and dignity. We emphasize the unacceptability of inciting religious hatred, and insulting the feelings of citizens associated with their religious views.

Everyone is obliged to strictly observe the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine, not to encroach on the rights and freedoms, honor and dignity of other people (Article 68 of the Constitution of Ukraine).

"Any direct or indirect restriction of the rights, the establishment of direct or indirect advantages of citizens depending on their attitude to religion, as well as inciting related hostility and hatred or insulting the feelings of citizens, entails liability established by law" (Article 4 of the law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations").

"A religious organization must not interfere in the activities of other religious organizations, preach hostility, intolerance towards non-believers and believers of other faiths in any form" (Article 5 of the law of Ukraine "on freedom of conscience and religious organizations").

"Everyone has the right to freedom of worldview and religion, while the exercise of this right may be restricted by law only in the interests of protecting public order, health and morals of the population or protecting the rights and freedoms of others" (Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine)," State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience said in a statement.

As reported, the hierarchs of the UOC MP accused the authorities of the time of Petro Poroshenko and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in that their actions led to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.