State Language Protection Commissioner

Olena Ivanovska was appointed as the State Language Protection Commissioner on July 15 during a Government meeting by an open ranked vote.

The State Language Protection Commissioner is an official whose status, powers and procedure for their implementation are defined in Section VIII. PROTECTION OF THE STATE LANGUAGE (Articles 49-57) of the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language” (hereinafter – the Law). In accordance with the Law, the State Language Protection Commissioner carries out his activities on the whole territory of Ukraine in order to promote the functioning of Ukrainian as the state language in the spheres of public life defined by this Law.    

Commissioner’s tasks are as follows:

• protection of Ukrainian as the state language;
• protection of the right of citizens of Ukraine to receive information and services in the spheres of public life, defined by this Law, in the state language on the whole territory of Ukraine and removal of obstacles and restrictions in using the state language.

Commissioner carries out his activities independently of other state bodies and officials, he is appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine under a special procedure for the term of five years.

The activity of the State Language Protection Commissioner is also regulated by other legislative acts (legal and regulatory framework).