Religious Persecution in the Russian-Occupied Territories of Eastern Ukraine

Catholic News Agency ^ | Spring 2018 | Mykhailo Cherenkov

[CondoleezzaProtege]

War continues to ravage eastern Ukraine, where conflict erupted in April 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the violent actions of pro-Russian separatists.

Along with forcing at least 1.6 million people from their homes, the ongoing conflict has also resulted in the persecution of Protestant pastors and churches throughout the territories that are occupied by pro-Russian separatist groups. One such group is the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR).

According to a new law passed on Feb. 2, 2018 (#211-II “About Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”), the LNR is permitted to discriminate against any and all non-Orthodox religious communities. While the law itself is a new development, the LNR has been violating religious freedom rights in Ukraine’s Luhansk region since the spring of 2014.

All religious communities and organizations in Luhansk, other than those associated with the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate must now prove their loyalty and re-register with the LNR.

• Religious communities and organizations are prohibited from leading activities in private residences, which is particularly dangerous for the many home churches in Luhansk.

• Religious communities are required to coordinate the distribution of all religious materials, even among their own members, with the LNR.

• There are very strict regulations placed on all religious communities and organizations that receive financial support from foreign sources.

The Baptist Union of Ukraine asserts that, even if churches in Luhansk try to re-register with the LNR, they will not be able to meet all of the requirements laid out in the new religion law.

At present, the pastors of many churches in the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine are refusing to participate in the re-registration process required by the LNR’s new religion law. These courageous leaders need our support as they stand firm in the face of escalating religious persecution.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

In response, Mission Eurasia and our partner churches in Luhansk urge the global Christian community prayerfully to support our brothers and sisters who are suffering in the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine.

[MeganC]

The FR Russian Troll Brigade will be along shortly to tell us how this is all just a big lie and how the parts of Ukraine that are illegally occupied by Russia are a virtual Utopia of freedom and liberty.