AA17CR34ADD1

AS (2017) CR 34
Addendum 1

2017 ORDINARY SESSION

________________________

(Fourth part)

REPORT

Thirty-fourth sitting

Thursday 12 October 2017 at 10 a.m.

Debate under urgent procedure:

 The new Ukrainian law on education: a major impediment to the teaching of national minorities’ mother tongues

The following texts were submitted for inclusion in the official report by members who were present in the Chamber but were prevented by lack of time from delivering them.

Ms GORGHIU (Romania) – When a State takes backward steps regarding minorities’ rights, and when the State enforces restrictions regarding the main aspects of the individual’s national belonging, an open debate becomes mandatory.

We all know that Ukraine faces a complex reform process which must be encouraged and supported. However, adopting bills without public consultation is not the right solution for a State with European aspirations.

Important legislative changes have recently taken place in Ukraine after which minorities might face a lack of opportunities to learn in their native languages. The number of Romanians exceeds 400 000, and through these changes, all those citizens will be denied their fundamental right to a national identity. The changes were adopted without a transparent consultation between the Kyiv authorities and the ethnic minorities.

This development represented a surprising situation for us, considering that Romania and Ukraine are partner States in many fields. Our bilateral relations must move forward for our common objectives, for the benefit of the Romanian and the Ukrainian ethnics, citizens of our States.

First, the solution to this deadlock is to return to dialogue, by involving the representatives of the minorities’ communities in Ukraine. The result of this dialogue should be an amendment to the education law promoted by the Ukrainian Government. Secondly, monitoring how international standards for education in the languages of national minorities will be met in the future is essential in order to avoid any other infringements. Thirdly, the Venice Commission’s opinion will examine these fundamental changes taking place in Ukrainian society and will deliver an appropriate approach to be taken into account in the framework of Ukrainian relevant legislation.

There are Romanian communities in many European countries which are well integrated and which maintain strong links with their mother country. Bearing in mind our own experience in this area, we are convinced that tolerance and dialogue are the most suitable ways to proceed. Romania has the availability, the good will and the experience to contribute to finding solutions in this field.