The Ambassador of Canada discussed the development of cooperation with Ukrainian religious figures

The event was attended by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Metropolitan Epiphanius, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, Rabbi Yakov Dov Blaich - the Head of the Association of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine, and Sheikh Akhmed Tamim -the Head of the Spiritual administration of Muslims of Ukraine. Archbishop Evstratiy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn of OCU and Oleksandr Zayets’, Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Religious Freedom were also among the guests.

The participants of the meeting discussed the efforts of the religious community of Ukraine to combat domestic violence, in particular within the project of the Institute for Religious Freedom, which is implemented with the participation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations and supported by the Embassy of Canada.

The Ambassador of Canada paid special attention to the human rights situation in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts not controlled by the Government of Ukraine, as well as in the occupied Crimea. Religious figures spoke about oppression of the rights of believers and religious minorities, targeted religious persecution, and lack of access for effective international monitoring in these regions.

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. Galadza listened with great interest to the views of religious leaders and noted that Canada has been and will always be a friendly partner for Ukraine, for our country and for civil society institutions, among which Churches and religious organizations have an important role.

Source:  Institute for Religious Freedom