Amsterdam to US authorities: Halt the extremists in VR persecuting the UOC
"These criminal intentions do not reflect the will of Ukraine's majority," claims the human rights lawyer.
American lawyer for the UOC, Robert Amsterdam, called on the U.S. authorities to influence their allies in Ukraine, who plan to adopt bill No. 8371 next week. He wrote about this on his Twitter on July 17.
"These criminal intentions do not reflect the will of the majority of Ukraine, and they are unimaginable taking place under any ally of the United States," Amsterdam stated. "Tell your representatives today - Ukraine's extremists in the Rada must halt Bill 8371 and stop the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."
The human rights lawyer also drew attention to Ayder Muzhdabaev's "practically boasting" about taking UOC priests hostage and using them as a "bargaining chip".
This is an open admission of a war crime - and they are gleefully celebrating it," wrote Robert Amsterdam.
I'm informed that members of Ukraine's Rada are moving to put Draft Law 8371 on the agenda next week.
— Robert Amsterdam (@robertamsterdam) July 17, 2024
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.
In every… pic.twitter.com/uMEAcFTsft
"For anybody who hasn't been paying attention, understand this: Ukraine's passage of Bill 8371 would block ascension to NATO, to the EU, and damage relations with any future US administration. Anyone who believes that lobbying for this bill, right in the middle of the RNC, is anything but self-destructive, is living in another reality."
Poroshenko should be condemned for putting his own narrow interests above the interests of the country," the human rights lawyer added.
For anybody who hasn't been paying attention, understand this: Ukraine's passage of Bill 8371 would block ascension to NATO, to the EU, and damage relations with any future US administration.
— Robert Amsterdam (@robertamsterdam) July 17, 2024
Anyone who believes that lobbying for this bill, right in the middle of the RNC, is…
As the UOJ reported, the head of the State Department received a letter with the names of MPs initiating the ban on the UOC.