The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Oleh Nikolenko, commented on the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the "discriminatory nature" of searches in the buildings of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP).
"Ukraine is a democratic state in which freedom of religion is guaranteed. However, freedom is not the same as the right to engage in activities that undermine national security. We call on OHCHR to refrain from unbalanced political assessments and base its reports on facts," he said.
The OHCHR report stated that in some cases, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officers interrogated UOC-MP clergy using a polygraph.
“OHCHR is concerned that the State’s activities targeting the UOC could be discriminatory. OHCHR also recalls the need to ensure that all those facing criminal charges enjoy the full spectrum of applicable fair trial rights,” the report reads.
During numerous searches at UOC-MP facilities in different regions, law enforcement officers found evidence of working for Russia, including pro-Kremlin manuals. Some clergy spread hostile narratives among the faithful.