As representatives of the Hungarian national minority living in the Province of Transcarpathia, Ukraine, we were shocked to learn of proposed Amendment No. 12086 to the Law on Education of Ukraine, published on the official website of the Parliament. This amendment aims to establish a Ukrainian-language environment in educational institutions (https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/44959).
We, Hungarians living in Ukraine, deeply value the recent legislative changes adopted by the Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council of Ukraine) that partially restored the rights of national minorities, including for Hungarians, to receive education in their native language. However, the Draft Law No. 12086 on Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Education” (hereafter the Draft Law) once again restricts the rights and opportunities to use the languages of national minorities.
If adopted, the proposed changes would restrict the use of minority languages to classroom activities only; outside the classroom, only the state language would be permitted. Alarmingly, the draft law would even prohibit the use of minority languages, including Hungarian, in private interactions. It mandates the use of the state language (Ukrainian) during breaks, in teachers’ rooms, on school premises, and even after school hours.
The adoption of this Draft Law would not only restrict the rights of national minorities to use their own languages but would also violate fundamental human rights. As ensuring the rights of national minorities is a key condition for Ukraine’s European integration, this proposal endangers the country’s accession process to the European Union.
Uzhhorod (Ungvár), November 19, 2024
Dr. László Brenzovics, President of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Sub-Carpathia (KMKSZ)
Dr. László Zubánics, President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Ukraine (UMDSZ)
Dr. Ildikó Orosz, President of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Alliance (KMPSZ)
