On July 10-11, a significant event took place in Ukraine, titled „Protection of the Rights of National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine in the European Perspective.“ The purpose of this dialogue was to provide a platform for questions and answers for over 60 representatives of civil society organizations, along with a wide range of government officials from the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Kyiv State Administration. This dialogue marked the first meeting following the Forum of National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine „European Perspective, Dialogue, Protection of Rights.“
During the first day of the event, representatives of human rights civil society organizations from national minorities (communities) presented their work and activities in various regions of Ukraine. This allowed participants to understand the scope of interaction among representatives of different national minority communities, their involvement in activities with the police, and interaction with state administrations. It also shed light on common issues faced by national minorities. Additionally, the participants‘ work was organized into three thematic directions: educational and language policy, satisfaction of cultural rights of national minorities (communities), and the establishment of centers for national minorities (communities), as well as the protection of socio-cultural, civil, and political rights.
On the second day, dialogues were held with representatives of the aforementioned institutions. Throughout the day, discussions revolved around the role of national minorities (communities) in the process of European integration, human rights protection, and the protection of cultural objects destroyed in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The main policy direction of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience in the field of social and cultural rights of national minorities was also discussed, with the active involvement of the Deputy Head of the State Service, Igor Lossovsky.
The two working days of the event concluded with a list of recommendations to government bodies, which will be addressed in the form of a letter-request, including key issues and synergy between NGOs and state institutions. This will serve as a milestone for further cooperation and effective implementation of Law No. 2827-IX on national minorities in Ukraine and the State Targeted National-Cultural Program „Unity in Diversity.“
The event was supported by the joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Union „Support for the Implementation of European Standards on Combating Discrimination and the Rights of National Minorities in Ukraine,“ in collaboration with the civil society organization „Council of National Communities of Ukraine.“