People’s Deputy of Ukraine, the leader of the European Party of Ukraine, Mykola Katerynchuk submitted to the parliament the Draft Law “On the State Language of Ukraine” (no.1144 of December 21, 2012), which, among other things, repeals previously enacted controversial Law of Ukraine “On the Principles of State Language Policy”.
According to the document, which was published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, this law is aimed to ensure the use of Ukrainian language as the state language on the territory of Ukraine and the right of citizens of Ukraine for protection and development of the language culture.
The explanatory note of the draft law declares: “The State shall ensure the comprehensive development and functioning of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life throughout Ukraine”. In this case, however, it is stressed that “Constitution of Ukraine does not specify requirements for peculiarities of the practical use of the Ukrainian language as the state language of Ukraine, as well as it does not indicate the commitment of the authorities in relation to the procedure for forming or maintaining the state language”.
“The law is intended to define the responsibilities of government officials in Ukraine in relation to the Ukrainian language as the state language, as well as respective citizens’ rights. The law stipulates the obligation of any officials to use the Ukrainian language as the state language. Citizens have the right to apply to the state agencies, local governments, enterprises, institutions and organizations, regardless of the ownership, public associations, officials, in Ukrainian or other language, which is acceptable to the parties”, – said in the note.
The draft law emphasizes that “the mandatory use of the state language of Ukraine shall not be construed as a denying or impairing the right to use other languages in Ukraine”. At the same time, the draft law regulates the spheres of the mandatory use of the Ukrainian language in Ukraine and the parallel use of the minority languages.
The document also identifies measures regarding the protection and promotion of the Ukrainian language. The Parliament adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the Principles of State Language Policy” on July 3. The law came into force on August 10.