Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Ombudsperson Liudmyla Denisova emphasizes that the Russian occupying authorities in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are taking measures to eradicate the Ukrainian language in local schools.
The statement came during an online presentation of the report of the UN Human Rights Mission for the period from February 16 to July 31, the Ombudsperson's Office reports on its website.
"In connection with the changes made to the so-called 'constitution' and 'law on education' of the so-called 'LPR,' designating Russian the only state language in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, Ukrainian language and literature were excluded from the basic curricula of educational facilities for the 2020-2021 academic year. Ukrainian language remains an optional class," Denisova said.
The Ombudsperson added that in the occupied territories, invaders have been also pursuing a policy aimed at eradicating all forms of religious worship, except for that led by the Orthodox Church subordinate to the so-called Moscow Patriarchate. Schoolchildren were banned from wearing religious clothing and bringing along religious accessories.
Read alsoMost citizens see Ukrainian language as important element of independence – pollThis is a "violation of the right to free worship by believers of other religions and denominations, including Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses, just as it is in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea," Denisova said.
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