Further attempts by the occupiers to resume the educational process in general secondary education institutions in the occupied territories under russian educational law is a continuation of putin's colonial policy toward the citizens of Ukraine. This was stated by the State Language Protection Commissioner Taras Kremin commenting on the information that in Melitopol the occupiers were once again trying to resume the educational process announcing the extension of the school year until June 7.

The occupiers do not abandon attempts to resume the educational process in schools under russian law using children to "legitimize" their regime. The Ukrainian language, as the main feature of national identity, has always been a key object of linguocide policy for russian criminals. Their goal is the purposeful russification of Ukraine. However, in order to avoid possible provocations and protect teachers and students, yesterday the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration made a justified decision to end the school year early on May 2, 2022 in the occupied districts of the region (Vasyliv, Pologi, Berdyansk and Melitopol districts). This is a balanced step in the martial law because it is about the impossibility of continuing education in the temporarily occupied territories under the Ukrainian law and the protection of participants in the educational process ", Taras Kremin said.

In matters of violation of the Law of Ukraine "On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language" in the educational process and during the performance of official duties by teachers, the Commissioner is in solidarity with the Educational Ombudsman Serhiy Gorbachev. According to him, employees of educational institutions located in the temporarily occupied territories, constantly report on "pressure, coercion, violence and attempts by the occupiers to introduce the educational process in russian and under incomprehensible programs."

The Commissioner urges citizens to report on persecution on the basis of language and any oppressions of the Ukrainian language in the occupied territories.

"Linguocide has been and nowadays is a component of the policy of genocide of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. I urge everyone, who becomes aware of crimes against Ukrainian citizens on the basis of language (any actions of the occupiers or collaborators aimed at discrimination or repression against Ukrainians on the basis of language, forced expulsion of the Ukrainian language from public space and public use, replacing it with Russian etc.), let us know. The criminals will be punished! ” Taras Kremin said.

Cases of linguocide can be reported:

☎️ by phone: +380635561279;

📧e-mail: stoplinguacide@gmail.com