Parliament removes Russian from list of languages subject to protection in Ukraine
Photo: MPs voted to amend certain laws of Ukraine (t.me/verkhovnaradaukrainy)
On Wednesday, December 3, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) passed a law amending certain laws of Ukraine due to the updated translation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, according to the official website of the Ukrainian Parliament.
The purpose of adopting Law No. 14120, which was supported by 264 MPs, is to align the provisions of certain Ukrainian laws with the updated official translation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
In particular, the law brings the title and provisions of the Law of Ukraine On the Ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, as well as the laws On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine and On Media, into conformity with the updated official translation of the Charter.
The translation was carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in January 2024. In addition, the list of languages covered by the support and special protection regime provided by the Charter has been updated.
According to the updated official translation, the correct name of the Charter is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Its provisions will now apply to the following languages: Belarusian, Bulgarian, Gagauz, Crimean Tatar, Modern Greek, German, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Hungarian, Czech, and Hebrew.
In October, the Verkhovna Rada approved a resolution amending the templates of Ukrainian passports, including for travel abroad. From now on, entries in the booklet-style passport of Ukrainian citizens will no longer include the Russian language.
