Public and expert circles call on people's deputies to unite around project No. 5670-d "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language" when considering language bills.
The Constitution of Ukraine obliges the state to ensure the comprehensive development and functioning of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life throughout the territory of Ukraine (Article 10), at the same time, the procedure for using languages is determined exclusively by law (Article 92). After the Constitutional Court recognized the anti-Ukrainian language law of Kivalov-Kolesnichenko as unconstitutional, a legal vacuum was created that requires legislative regulation.
On October 4, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will consider bills aimed at regulating the state language policy. Experts of the coalition of public organizations Reanimation package of reforms are convinced that the most comprehensive regulation of the use of the state Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life is the draft law No. 5670-d "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state".
Draft law No. 5670-d is primarily intended to protect the rights of those who want to speak Ukrainian and receive information and services in it. The law does not encroach on the habitual language practices of the majority of the population, on the contrary, it provides a full opportunity for citizens to choose the language of communication, removes obstacles to the transition to Ukrainian. The bill does not apply to the language of private communication and religious ceremonies.
Sociological studies show that society supports the main provisions of the draft law. According to a May 2017 survey by the Ukrainian National Institute of Foreign Studies, 61% of respondents answered: "To promote the spread of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of life." It is significant that the successful introduction of quotas for Ukrainian songs on the radio, defining the educational process in the Ukrainian language - not only did not lead to any "split" in society, but also received comprehensive support.
Draft law 5670-d was developed by a working group of lawyers, public activists and experts of the Coordination Council on the Use of the Ukrainian Language in all spheres of public life of Ukraine under the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.
The draft law was supported by: the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Television and Radio Committee, the Academic Council of the Ivan Franko Lviv National University, the Academic Council of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy National University, the Academic Council of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, a wide range of public organizations, cultural figures and experts.
