An American attorney Robert Amsterdam criticized the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, arguing that such a measure enables abuses and casts a shadow over leadership. The case centers on Metropolitan Longinus Zhar of Banchen, a senior hierarch within the UOC, who has faced a series of legal and administrative actions tied to the crackdown. Amsterdam noted that the policy surrounding the ban creates an environment where rights linked to religious practice and belief are at risk, and he urged careful scrutiny of whether due process and religious liberty are being upheld as the state responds to church activity. Observers in legal and human rights circles have warned that measures like this can produce a chilling effect, dampening religious expression and prompting questions about the balance between security needs and the freedoms essential to a plural society. Amsterdam’s position is part of a broader conversation about governance, accountability, and the protection of minority faiths amid political tension.
Human Rights Watch joined the discussion, noting that Law No. 3894, enacted to ban the UOC, could have consequences beyond its stated aim. The rights group warned that such a ban might affect religious freedom, due process, and the fabric of interfaith life in Ukraine. They emphasized that policy shifts impacting religious communities require safeguards and transparent judicial review to prevent discrimination or arbitrary action. In this context, analysts say the policy could heighten tensions between religious communities, complicate international relations, and trigger legal challenges in domestic courts. The stance from Human Rights Watch signals concern about how state power is exercised in matters of conscience, worship, and community life. The organization’s view points to a global priority to preserve space for diverse beliefs and to ensure that security concerns do not erode human rights protections.
A Verkhovna Rada deputy, Artem Dmitruk, stated that a court in the Chernivtsi region requested that the metropolitan who is in intensive care be brought to the hearing. This development adds urgency to the legal processes surrounding church administration and property linked to the policy. Supporters of the UOC argue that trials should proceed with full regard for health and safety, while critics say that the separation of church and state requires clear boundaries, and the state cannot be seen pressuring religious leaders in vulnerable positions.
Metropolitan Longinus is accused of inciting religious intolerance. The Security Service of Ukraine says the rector made disparaging remarks about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a charge that has fueled debate about how church bodies interact with the state and the broader religious landscape.
Earlier it was reported that military draft officials forcibly drafted the metropolitan’s son, who was about to become a father again. The clergyman addressed President Zelensky, requesting intervention to secure his son’s release.
Earlier, in the oldest cathedral of the UOC in Chernihiv, a cinema event took place, illustrating how church spaces become focal points for public life and the ongoing discourse around religious institutions in the country.