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The Ukrainian Parliament recently passed a new law addressing the rights of national minorities, seeking to overturn negative measures, especially those affecting the Hungarian community. Notably, the legislation excludes the Russian ethnic group.
This legal development builds upon the framework of the former Language Law, the Law on Education and Higher Education, and the Law on National Minorities, effectively removing restrictions that were impacting minorities in EU countries.
Among the concerns voiced by the Hungarian minority was the Education Law, which, under previous regulations, would have compelled Hungarians in Transcarpathia to receive education exclusively in Ukrainian from the fifth grade onward. Additionally, there were debates about language flexibility in higher education, particularly at private universities, as explained by Anton Bendarzhevsky, an expert on the post-Soviet region.
Russian, meanwhile, has been further penalized in the new law “because it is the language of the aggressor.”
However, Bendarzhevsky, while acknowledging the positive aspects of the provisions for Transcarpathian Hungarians, criticized the manner in which the law was adopted, expressing reservations about how well these changes would be upheld in everyday life.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba defended Ukraine’s treatment of minorities, emphasizing equal rights for all citizens irrespective of race or ethnicity. He highlighted a recent law on minority languages, addressing concerns raised by the Hungarian government.
Bendarzhevsky attributed the sudden concessions in the law to the upcoming EU summit, raising questions about the practical implementation and respect for these modifications.
Via Infostart; Featured Image: Pixabay
