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Parliamentary question - E-002218/2019Parliamentary question
E-002218/2019
European Parliament

Situation of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine

10.7.2019

Answer in writing

Question for written answer E-002218-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dominique Bilde (ID)

There are around 150 000 Hungarian speakers living in Ukraine[1]. The minority has long had an educational system which allowed the use of Hungarian. However, in September 2017, Ukraine decided on a language-use reform, in particular in education, by means of a law passed at first reading in October 2018[2].

In addition, on Thursday, 4 October 2018, the New York Times reported that Ukraine had decided to expel the Hungarian Consul in Berehove (Beregovo) from its territory. Moreover, the Prosecutor for the Transcarpathian region has launched an enquiry for ‘high treason’ into the issue of Hungarian passports to Ukrainian citizens who are members of the Hungarian minority[3].

And in February 2018 there were two arson attacks which targeted the headquarters of the main Hungarian political party in Ukraine[4].

Ukraine has ratified the framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities[5] as well as the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages[6]. It has also made specific commitments on education in minority languages. What is the Commission’s view of the abovementioned law and of the situation of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine?

Last updated: 26 July 2019
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