In 2024, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremen, received 2,314 complaints from citizens about violations of the law “On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language.”
It is noted that this figure is 37% less than in 2023 (3 thousand 692), and 19% less than in 2022 (2 thousand 846). This was reported today, January 9, on the Ombudsman’s website.
Although the number of requests has decreased, this is not about a decrease in citizens’ attention to language rights, but about a gradual improvement in the language situation in Ukraine,” Kremen noted. growing.
The most violations concerned:
- lack of Ukrainian version of online store sites and websites – 671;
- service – 367;
- languages of outdoor advertising and signs – 325;
- education – 165;
- information about goods and services – 131;
- healthcare sector – 109;
- media spheres – 91.
Also, during 2024, 54 citizens approached the Commissioner with a request to provide clarification regarding the norms and provisions of language legislation, the department said. — In particular, this concerned the rules for using the Ukrainian language in official documents, the service sector, education, media, as well as spelling.
Kremen noted that although the lion’s share of complaints (29% or 671 complaints) concerned the lack of a Ukrainian version of websites or the default loading of the Russian-language version when the Ukrainian-language version was loaded, this figure decreased compared to 2023 – then 922 such complaints were received.
It is noted that the Commissioner continues to receive complaints from citizens about violations of the language law by both deputies of local councils and local government officials.
In 2024 there are 72 such complaints (3%). In particular, they concerned non-compliance with the language regime in official communication, as well as public speeches or comments for the media, the department said.
The Ombudsman also emphasizes that regional language policy requires more attention from the authorities – more messages from citizens concerned violations of the legislation on the state language:
- the city of Kyiv (902);
- Odessa region (429);
- Kharkov region (191);
- Dnipropetrovsk region (177);
- Kyiv region (96);
- Zaporozhye region (50);
- Nikolaev region (44);
- Poltava region (36);
- Lviv region (34);
- Chernihiv region (30);
- Zhytomyr region (29).
Kremen emphasized that problems with compliance with the law exist throughout Ukraine, but most of all in the capital and big cities.
This indicates the need to strengthen control over its implementation of the Law. That is why local authorities must be as effective as possible,” he noted. — Let me remind you that in Kyiv, from which 39% (and in 2023 – 36%) of the total number of applications came, there is no full-fledged language program!
In order to eliminate violations of the law, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language takes response measures, in particular:
- exercises state control;
- warns and fines violators in accordance with the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences.
Source: Racurs
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