Russian Foreign Ministry: Kiev-Pechersk Lavra issue to be raised at the UN
Moscow will raise the issue of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monks’ eviction by the Ukrainian authorities at a session of the UN General Assembly’s Committee on Information if the UN Secretariat information work is not balanced – as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, RIA Novosti reports
Earlier, the official representative of the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, failed to comment on the situation with the violation of the rights of Orthodox believers in Ukraine ‘due to lack of information’, noting that freedom of religion should be ensured in all countries.
"If you cannot comment after the monks' direct appeal to the international community in several languages, then, Stephane, admit to being biased and do not lay the United Nations bare, since this is a complete loss of qualifications or working out a political order. By regularly claiming that you know nothing about what is happening in Ukraine when your boss regularly visits Kiev (he went there on March 8th last time), you are causing distrust of the United Nations and its Secretariat," Ms. Zakharova stressed.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson recalled that when a fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral – which, like the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – occurred, Mr. Dujarric's comment with promises to contribute to its restoration was made the next day, though only the property suffered then.
"Today we are talking not even about monks and their destinies (although this is also important, since a simple routine question arises: where should they live after eviction?), but about the Church as a Divine institution. I would not like to think that you, Stephane, profess a segregationist approach, dividing the world religions by importance: Catholics can be sympathised with information, while Orthodox are unworthy of reaction. Meanwhile, I have to think [so]. Segregation is obvious in all aspects,” she added.
Ms. Zakharova stressed that if the UN Secretariat information work is not balanced, Russia will raise this issue at a session of the UN General Assembly’s Committee on Information.
