The Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok, responded to an appeal issued by Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij on 16 January 2014 to condemn the threats being made by Ukraine’s governing authorities to suppress religious freedom in Ukraine.
In his letter of 21 January 2014, Elmar Brok expressed concern over recent actions by Ukrainian governing authorities which violate democratic principles. He noted specifically that, “Ukraine is close to my heart and I give all my support to the many thousands of Ukrainians who are gathering at Euromaidan Square.”
The Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the suppression of religious rights in Ukraine and all activities that threaten the fundamental freedoms of Ukrainian citizens, and declared his intent to meet with representatives of religious communities in Ukraine. He added that this would offer an opportunity to discuss the current situation of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
“The Ukrainian World Congress expresses gratitude to Elmar Brok for his principled stand on religious freedom in Ukraine,” state d UWC President Eugene Czolij.
