The resolution affirms that it is the policy of the United States to see Ukraine victorious against the Russian invasion, holds that the peace brought by victory must be secured by integrating Ukraine into NATO, and declares that the United States must work with its allies and partners to secure reparations, reconstruction, justice for Russian war crimes, and accountability for Russian leaders. Lindsey Graham (SC), introduced the resolution in the Senate. Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced the Ukraine Victory Resolution in the House of Representatives. Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Rep. His Beatitude Epiphaniy, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, will give opening remarks. Witnesses will also testify to how religious institutions, churches, and individual Christians have supported Ukraine in wartime and the future of church-state relations within Ukraine. Relatedly, panelists will speak to harassment and denial of religious freedoms in territories occupied by Russia. This hearing will assess Putin’s political control over ROC institutions and the implications for Ukraine’s religious and political culture. Additionally, the Putin regime has exported its widespread internal persecution of non-ROC-affiliated Christians to the territories it occupies in Ukraine. Churches under the mantle of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) had long been viewed as actual or potential surveillance and influence outposts for the Putin regime, directly contributing to the official establishment of the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2019. Under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill, the ROC has explicitly endorsed Russia’s war on Ukraine, even blessing weapons for the invasion. The Putin regime has long used the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to consolidate its power at home and abroad. Senator Wicker also serves as a member of the OSCE PA, where he chairs the Committee on Political Affairs and Security. We should work together to ensure a safe, free, and prosperous Europe for this generation and those that follow.”Ĭhairman Smith has previously chaired the Commission and serves as a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), which facilitates inter-parliamentary dialogue among the 57 participating States he is also the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues. This situation calls for a unified response from the United States and our OSCE partner countries. “Peace and security are under threat in the wake of escalating Russian aggression – impacting our economic and strategic interests in the region. “I am pleased to join Chairman Smith and the other members of the Helsinki Commission in defending democratic values and the rule of law,” said Co-Chairman Wicker. As the chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Helsinki Commission, I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms and to safeguard the principles shared by the 57 participating States of the OSCE,” said Chairman Smith, who has been an active member of the Helsinki Commission since 1983. “The United States must advocate much more vigorously for those who are victims and are voiceless. In Europe, violent anti-Semitism is again rearing its ugly head, and in some OSCE countries religious people face restrictions and even persecution merely for practicing their faith.” Journalists in the OSCE region are being imprisoned, tortured, and even murdered for exposing corruption or publishing controversial pieces. “More than 20 million people are trafficked each year for sexual or other forms of exploitation. The Russian government is blatantly violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” said Chairman Smith. “Today, the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are under attack. Senator Roger Wicker (MS) has been appointed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to co-chair the Commission. Chris Smith (NJ-04) has been appointed by Speaker of the House John Boehner as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, during the 114th Congress.
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