On May 21, members of the "European Solidarity" and "Voice" factions in Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada blocked the parliamentary rostrum, demanding the discussion of a bill aimed at banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). This was reported by TASS, citing the Telegram channel of MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Previously, Petro Poroshenko, leader of "European Solidarity," called for the consideration of the bill concerning the UOC. The pro-presidential faction "Servant of the People," which holds the majority in the Rada, blocked this initiative. However, some deputies decided to press their demands by obstructing the parliament's proceedings.
The parliamentarians held signs, including ones stating "The Moscow Church Kills." Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk initially announced a break and then closed the session.
On October 19 last year, the Verkhovna Rada supported in the first reading a government-drafted bill, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, aimed at banning the UOC. Since then, the dates for the final second reading vote have not been set. The UOC's Legal Department claims that the bill passed in the Rada does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Ukrainian Constitution, as it violates freedom of religion. Representatives of Local Orthodox Churches, international leaders, and human rights organizations have repeatedly opposed the law banning the UOC.