The purpose of this trial and criminal prosecution is precisely to demonstrate to Ukrainian society that anyone who opposes and publicly speaks out about violations of the rights of Orthodox believers will be punished.
However, preachers and missionaries not only cannot remain silent, according to Archpriest Dimitry Sidor, but also have no right to remain silent about violations of the rights of Ukrainian citizens when state resources are used to force Orthodox believers to change their religious affiliation and join another religious organization (Article 180 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine).
Preachers and missionaries cannot remain silent when peaceful Orthodox believers, citizens of Ukraine, are “expelled” from their pearl—the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)—and forced to join another, “Turkish” denomination, which, in the opinion of believers, is not true compared to their house of God. Leaders note that Orthodox people do not confuse the true Church with an untrue one. Those who exert pressure and force UOC believers to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) demonstrate ignorance of religion, history, culture, and Ukrainian legislation, using their official positions to divert UOC believers from their freely chosen religious beliefs (Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine).
It is clear to everyone that state officials, representatives of legislative and executive authorities, as well as state security forces, along with state and private media, use their official positions for the benefit of third parties (Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) who aim to appropriate property legally used by the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine).
It is these third parties who appear in all criminal cases as the discriminated, offended, and harmed. Yet their unconcealed goal is the appropriation of UOC property. Those whose property is targeted for appropriation are the ones being prosecuted. In the current realities of the Ukrainian legal system, this is no longer an absurdity but a harsh reality.
All “witnesses” and “complainants” in the criminal case against Priest Dimitry Sidor are either hired employees and subordinates of Viktor Bed, well-known in Uzhhorod and Zakarpattia, or heads of structures under his control.
By persecuting those who critically mention the OCU (as the defendant claims is happening), the authorities violate daily the principle that no religion can be recognized by the state as mandatory (Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine). Neither the Security Service of Ukraine, nor the police, nor the prosecutor’s office wish to acknowledge this, deliberately and intentionally violating the rights of UOC believers and making every effort to ensure these violations continue (Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The trial of Priest Archpriest Dimitry Sidor is an attempt to break the resistance of the UOC and guarantee the unimpeded violation of believers’ rights and discrimination against the UOC in the future.
The purpose of this trial and criminal prosecution is precisely to demonstrate to Ukrainian society that anyone who opposes and publicly speaks out about violations of the rights of Orthodox believers will be punished.
The court, however, has not yet announced its final decision.
Regarding the right to “express one’s views and beliefs” and to disseminate information orally, in writing, or in any other way of one’s choice, guaranteed by Article 34 of the Constitution of Ukraine, investigators and prosecutors may not even suspect its existence (Article 34 of the Constitution of Ukraine), says the priest.
Although the sermons of Priest Dimitry Sidor, which point out violations of believers’ rights (in direct and allegorical forms), are directed solely at lawbreakers—state officials, representatives of legislative and executive authorities, state security forces, as well as state and private media—who use their official positions to forcibly divert believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from their religious beliefs and coerce them to abandon the UOC by forceful methods (Article 180 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), the prosecution demands that Priest Dimitry Sidor be punished for these words.
Archpriest Dimitry Sidor asserts: we and our people are being demonstratively and manipulatively forced to renounce our faith and leave the UOC! This is done by representatives of legislative and executive authorities, state security forces, along with state and private media, using their official positions (Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine).
Archpriest Dimitry Sidor draws attention: the following rights of Ukrainian citizens, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and other laws, have been violated:
1. The right to freedom of worldview and religion (Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine), which includes the freedom to practice any religion, perform religious rites without hindrance, and conduct religious activities. Forcing a change in religious affiliation and persecuting UOC believers violate this right.
2. The right to freedom of thought and speech, and to freely express one’s views and beliefs (Article 34 of the Constitution of Ukraine), which includes the right to freely disseminate information. Persecution for criticizing the OCU and restricting believers’ rights to express their beliefs violate this right.
3. The right to property protection (guaranteed, in particular, by Article 41 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which establishes the right to own, use, and dispose of one’s property). Actions aimed at appropriating UOC property violate this right.
4. The right to equality (Article 24 of the Constitution of Ukraine), which prohibits restrictions of rights based on religious beliefs. Discrimination against UOC believers due to their religious beliefs violates this principle.
Archpriest Dimitry Sidor – rector of the Uzhhorod Orthodox Cathedral, human rights defender, public figure.