Letter to Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Lvov (Ukraine), 19 July 2012

Catherine Ashton

High Representative of the Union

for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Dear Madam,

the European Union appointed You a commissioner to supervise the observance of human rights in Ukraine, in particular relating to discrimination against minorities and freedom of speech.

Our minority Ukrainian orthodox Greek-Catholic Church (UO GCC) has already for three years been subject to religious discrimination and prevented from being granted legal registration at the Ministry of Culture under artificial pretexts. In fact, the motive therefor is the competitive position of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC) which does not wish our existence. Our Church has about 5,000 believers and is currently facing inflammation of religious enmity among the masses through the mass media. Without giving a single argument the mass media spread lies of the highest calibre about us, such as “a dangerous Satanic sect practising ritual murders”, “stealing and maiming children” and “attacking old people”. All of these fabrications are criminal libels punishable both under Ukrainian and international law. This destructive campaign is carried on chiefly by the journal Express. We have brought an action before court, but the court is biased and rejects our complaints on grounds of trivialities. The smear campaign has even extended to television channels (STB1, 12LTB), which refer to these false sources of the journal Express and artificially develop them. When we asked the Express’ editors to publish at least a short redressing article or statement within the bounds of freedom of speech, they have not done so until this day. The campaign has continued for more than a month.

In particular, we would like to ask You to address the relevant authorities of Ukraine with a request that this destructive smear campaign should be stopped and we should be given the opportunity to defend the truth concerning our Church. At the same time we would like to ask You to make an appeal to the Ministry of Culture for lawful registration of our Church. The fact of the matter is that not only citizens of Ukraine but several members of the European Union are subject to discrimination, being grossly defamed and threatened with deportation.

Thank You in advance for ceasing the smear campaign in the mass media as well as religious discrimination and for opening the way for legal registration of our religious minority.

+ Markian OSBMr

Secretary of the UO GCC

Cc:

Presidential Office of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine M. Azarov

Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine V. Litvin

Ministry of Culture, Department of Churches

Ombudsman of Ukraine

Lvov Regional Council

Head of the State Security Service, Kiev

Head of the State Security Service in the Lvov Region

Chief Prosecutor in the Lvov Region

Head of the Lvov Regional Police O. Rudyak