Hungary Seeks OSCE Assistance in Ukraine Minorities Law Matter

Int’l Relations

Hungary has asked for the assistance of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov on postponing the implementation of Ukrainian legislation that will "practically cease" the operation of minority schools in the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in the Hague this week, according to origo.hu.

In a statement released by his ministry, Szijjártó said the Ukrainian legislation, approved in December, will turn 99 Hungarian minority primary and secondary schools into state-run institutions while reducing the class hours taught in Hungarian to 20% after grade four from September.

He said the legislation is "unacceptable" and called it a "disgrace."

After meeting with Abdrakhmanov, Szijjártó said the commissioner also said the Ukrainian provisions run foul of international law.

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