December 19, 2013 - Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is concerned by the pressure Ukrainian security officials have been exerting on the administration and students of the Ukrainian Catholic University over the past weeks in Lviv, Ukraine. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and the freedom of religious educational institutions to operate without undue interference are important principles of any truly democratic country.
“As Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has stated, heavy-handed actions are of concern, not only to Canada, but to democracies around the world.
“Canada notes the important and peaceful role played by the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and many other religious leaders in recent weeks in Ukraine.
“We will continue to stand with those Ukrainians who believe in freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
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