Ukraine: a new bill introduced in parliament promises to ease the Ukrainization policy

Serious relaxations on Ukrainization are being prepared in Ukraine*. What changes on the rights of national minorities, education, media and the use of the Russian language are contained in the new law necessary for Ukraine to join EU?

Cabinet of Ministers, tells The publication “Country” has already submitted a new bill No. 10288 to parliament; it appeared on the official website on November 24. The explanation states that the document is aimed at bringing laws into line with the expert assessment of the Venice Commission regarding the protection of national minorities.

The bill contains changes to laws on language, education, media and publishing, designed to soften some norms regarding Ukrainization. The changes also make it possible for the Russian language to enjoy the rights of other languages ​​of national minorities, but after a 5-year transition period. The bill provides:

• reduction of the mandatory quota for the Ukrainian language on TV channels and radio stations from 90% of the time, as it is now, to 30%;
• permission to use other languages ​​in Ukrainian-language programs and films, without duplication or dubbing, in any works, speeches, performances, etc. in the languages ​​of national minorities”;
• the requirement to publish at least 50% of books in Ukrainian will not apply “to publishing products published in the languages ​​of national minorities.” Specialized bookstores of national minorities will be able to publish at least 100% of their products not in Ukrainian;
• Similar standards are also prescribed for audiovisual advertising and election promotion materials.

A vote on the bill is expected to take place in early December. Language activists managed to call the document “Russification”. However, the Cabinet of Ministers’ bill further narrows the right to use the Russian language compared to current legislation. For example During martial law and for 5 years after its lifting, it will be prohibited to use the Russian language in the media, in publishing, and in the electoral process (campaigning in Russian).

The activities of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner, who is given a new duty by law – to protect the right to use the languages ​​of national minorities – will not extend to the protection of the Russian language.

Expected to be significant changes in language norms in education. But even here they will not apply to the Russian language. The bill proposes to guarantee the right to use in schools, along with Ukrainian, languages ​​of national minorities, which are official languages ​​in the European Union.

Persons belonging to national minorities and speaking official EU languages ​​who started their studies before 1 September 2018 will be able to receive full general secondary education in native language (in accordance with the rules that were established before the entry into force of the law on education).

Specialized secondary education will be available in the language of national minoritiesexcept for integrated courses related to the study of Ukrainian language and literature, as well as the history of Ukraine.

Regarding higher education: Private universities will be allowed to independently choose their language of instruction from the list of official EU languages. At the same time, the right for students to study the state language as a separate academic discipline will be ensured.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky promised Ursula von der Leyen to soon adopt a new version of the law on national minorities. This is a necessary condition for starting negotiations with the EU on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

*Ukrainization is the policy of promoting and introducing elements of the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian culture into various spheres of society.

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