Estonian Orthodox Church Raises Concerns at UN Over Religious Rights Violations

Estonian Orthodox Church and OCP News Service – 21/03/2025

Geneva – Switzerland: During the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Bishop Daniel (Lepiska) of Tartu, representing the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, voiced concerns over a proposed amendment to Estonia’s Church and Parish Law. The session, attended by diplomats, UN officials, and human rights advocates, runs from February 24 to April 4, 2025.

Bishop Daniel criticized the bill for restricting ties between the Estonian Orthodox Church and religious centers in Russia, stating that severing these connections contradicts their faith. He warned that holding the church accountable for foreign religious leaders’ actions undermines individual responsibility and could fuel societal divisions.

He announced plans to escalate efforts at the international level to protect religious freedoms. His statements received backing from the “Church Against Xenophobia and Discrimination” alliance and UN-accredited human rights organizations “Public Advocacy” and VSI “Zmogaus teisiu apsauga.”

Oleg Denisov, head of “Public Advocacy,” condemned the proposed law for violating international religious freedom norms. He pledged legal support for the EOC MP through UN mechanisms and international human rights institutions in Geneva, New York, Brussels, and the OSCE.

Source: OCP News Service