In the resolution no. 2189 on The new Ukrainian law on education adopted on 12 October last year the Parliamentary Assembly expressed again – reiterating its conclusions in resolution no. 2145 – its serious concerns about the articles relating to education in minority languages of the new Education Act and asked the Ukrainian authorities to fully implement the recommendations and conclusions of the Venice Commission as confirmed by President Poroshenko before the Parliamentary Assembly.
In spite of the call of the Parliamentary Assembly, contrary to its international obligations, Ukraine not just ignored the implementation of the already adopted recommendations of the Venice Commission on the Education Law and the provisions of Resolution 2189 but the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Bill on Ensuring the functioning of Ukrainian as State Language (no. 5670-D) on 4 October 2018, without any previous consultations with the representatives of national minorities and without requesting the opinion of the Council of Europe.
The new Bill drastically increases the threshold of using minority languages and stipulates the exclusive use of the state language in state bodies and in public spheres of life by introducing strong protective measures and foresees imprisonment of 3 years in case of unlawful practice of the state language.
Violent attacks and intimidations against national minorities are increasing in Ukraine. Even the Headquarter of the largest Hungarian association was set fire in February 2018. On the 23rd of June 2018 Roma settlement near Lviv was attacked killing one person and injuring several others.
Following the situation surrounding the Education Law, the Language Law and in light of this changed legal environment we request that the Assembly follows up on the deteriarating situation of national minorities in Ukraine by preparing a report on natinal minority rights and fulfilling international commitments, by Ukraine.
