In Ukraine, there was an initiative to create “Language Police” and “Language Control”. Corresponding petition already posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. The authors of this initiative propose to dismiss the current Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremen, and to create a new state body that would more effectively monitor the implementation of the law “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as a State Language”.
The authors of the petition claim that a new approach to the language issue will be an important step in protecting the Ukrainian language in public space. They believe that the institution of the language ombudsman does not cope with the duties assigned to it, which, in their opinion, negatively affects the status of the Ukrainian language in society.
One of the key arguments in the petition is the problem of filing complaints against violators of the law. The authors emphasize that businesses often refuse to provide the necessary information for filing complaints, which complicates the process of their consideration. In particular, we are talking about the lack of access to the registration or contact data of violators.
In addition, the authors regard the growing number of appeals to the language ombudsman as evidence of its ineffectiveness. They emphasize that the Commissioner often reacts only to cases that gain significant public publicity, leaving out less public violations of the law.
The petition also notes that new language scandals regularly arise in the media space, but even public violations often do not lead to adequate measures. The authors recall high-profile incidents, including the attack on Iryna Farion, which began as a reputational attack, and argue that the lack of an adequate response by the language ombudsman has caused a wave of concern among those who defend their language rights.
At the end of the petition, the authors emphasize that the creation of the “Language Police” is necessary to preserve the Ukrainian language, protect the national identity, and improve the country’s image in the international arena.
In her video message, the author of the petition also stated: “Ukrainians are tired of constant disputes over the language issue and want to live in harmony. We deserve to feel in Ukraine as our native land, and not in a foreign country.” At the time of publication, the petition has already been signed by 1,981 citizens.
