DISINFO: Ukraine and the Baltic states discriminate against the Russian language
SUMMARY
Russia is increasingly concerned about discrimination against the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic countries and Ukraine, particularly with regard to linguistic and educational rights. Russia regrets that the UN Human Rights Council and its special procedures remain silent about the blatant violations of the human rights of millions of people.
RESPONSE
This is a recurrent narrative by pro-Kremlin media both in Russia and throughout the world. Neither the Russian language nor those who speak it are oppressed in Ukraine. The closure of three TV channels – 112 Ukraine, ZIK and NewsOne – on 2 February 2021 had nothing to do with discrimination on linguistic or ethnic grounds. These manifestly pro-Kremlin outlets contributing to disinformation were taken off the air because they had been financed from the temporarily occupied territories in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s legislation on education does not cut any rights of national minorities. Its law on the use of the Ukrainian language does not infringe on their rights either. These laws only aim to strengthen the position of the Ukrainian language in Ukrainian society, as well as ensuring the minorities’ rights.
Article 10 of the Ukrainian Constitution guarantees the comprehensive development and functioning of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life. Article 10 also guarantees the free development, use and protection of the Russian language and the languages of other ethnic minorities in Ukraine. Ukraine has always respected the linguistic, cultural and educational rights of ethnic minorities, in contrast with Russia where there is not a single Ukrainian school and where the rights of Russian citizens of Ukrainian descent are often neglected.
Read more about claims by pro-Kremlin media about alleged Russophobia in Ukraine.