[lg policy] OSCE representative presents statement about Ukraine

[Harold Schiffman]

 OSCE representative presents statement about Ukraine
Today - 12:07

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities has been closely
following developments in Ukraine since the office was established in 1993
to act as an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest stage. The
successive High Commissioners have paid particular attention to the
inter-ethnic situation in Crimea, legislation regulating minority rights
and language use, and the education of national minorities.

The High Commissioner's mandate requires that she works behind the scenes
and in confidence. She therefore issues few public statements. This
statement provides an update on her most recent visits. Currently, High
Commissioner Astrid Thors' main concerns are language policy and the
situation in Crimea.

Thors visited Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk and Odessa from 23 to 28 March 2014,
and Kiev from 1 to 3 April. She made an earlier visit, which also included
a trip to Crimea, on 4 to 6 March as part of a high-level OSCE delegation
together with Ambassador Tim Guldimann, the Special Envoy of the OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office. Her office is also contributing to a Human Rights
Assessment Mission, in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights.

During her most recent two visits, Thors was pleased to hear that the
interim Government does not intend to make any hasty decisions regarding
language policy. "There can be no doubt that the 2012 Law on the
'Principles of the State Language Policy' remains in force, and, legally,
nothing has changed regarding the status of languages," she said.
"Therefore, there is no need for the Ukrainian Parliament to rush to make
any new decisions. I hope that all political forces can adhere to this
opinion."

She reiterated her comments made in her public statement of 24 February [
www.osce.org/hcnm/115643] that, to avoid increasing tensions, the
authorities should ensure that the concerns of all ethnic and linguistic
groups are taken into account and that consultations also encompass
international organizations to ensure that any new language legislation
meets European standards. She added that time is also needed to evaluate
the merits and shortcomings of the 2012 Language Law, as well as its
implementation in practice.

The High Commissioner has been able to speak to a wide range of
interlocutors to assess the situation on the ground. She expressed
particular concern that she heard a lot of conflicting impressions that are
contributing to a climate of fear and confusion. Contradictory information
leads to an "information war". Any measures taken to restrict access to
cross-border transmission of media should strictly comply with
international standards, as stated by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media [www.osce.org/fom/116888]. In addition, many people told her they
are concerned about security and the presence of militarized groups with an
unclear status. Thors commended the interim Government's efforts to address
the security issues in the country, including the disarmament of armed
groups that exist outside of the legal framework, in order to combat such
perceptions.

Thors also remains concerned about the situation in Crimea. Following her
statement on 6 March [www.osce.org/hcnm/116180], the High Commissioner
reminded the authorities in effective control of Crimea that they remain
responsible for the human rights, including minority rights, of all persons
residing on the peninsula. "The people in Crimea, in particular the Crimean
Tatars and the Ukrainian community, are in a precarious position. I urge
the authorities in effective control to refrain from actions that exclude
people from employment in the public and private sectors or force them to
give up their property."

She again drew particular attention to The Bolzano/Bozen Recommendations on
National Minorities in Inter-State Relations, which state that while a
State might have an interest in supporting persons belonging to national
minorities in other States, "no State may exercise jurisdiction over the
population or part of the population of another State within the territory
of that State without its consent" because "the respect for and protection
of minority rights is primarily the responsibility of the State where the
minority resides."

*Astrid Thors*
*OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities*
*The Hague, 4 April 2014*
http://times.am/?p=40404&l=en


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