Keskeny Ernő: “Hungary’s Opinion on the New Law of Ukraine “On Education”

In connection with the discussion in the media about the Law "On Education" recently adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ambassador of Hungary to Ukraine Ernő Keskeny wrote on his Facebook page:

– The main problem is that until now the national minorities of Ukraine have had the opportunity to study in their native language from kindergarten to university, and in the future it will be possible only in kindergartens and in the first four grades of primary school. 
Article 7 of the adopted law eliminates the educational system with the Hungarian language of instruction, which now provides the opportunity to study in the native language from kindergarten to the level of professional and higher education.
It is more than just a matter of education, since a significant restriction of education in the native language threatens the preservation of the identity, culture and traditions of the Hungarian community, and in the long run promotes the assimilation of the Hungarian minority, and ultimately its disappearance (this is contrary to Articles 8 and 10 of the Declaration on Principles of Cooperation between the Ukrainian SSR and the Hungarian Republic for the protection of the rights of national minorities, signed in 1991).
The distinction between the concepts of indigenous peoples and national minorities also gives reason for the discussion.

By this decision, the Ukrainian legislature ignores the basic rights of about 150,000 citizens, who consider themselves to be members of the Hungarian nationality and their community, to use their mother tongue, including studying in their native language. It deprives the indigenous community of Transcarpathia and its members of such right, that they have been enjoying as a minority for nearly a century and which all the other countries ensure for the Hungarian communities living in their territories.
In view of all this, Hungary asks the President of Ukraine not to sign the law in its current form, and to return to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for revision.