On 5 March, at its meeting, the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy recommended that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopt the draft law on the use of English in Ukraine (Reg. No. 9432) in the second reading and as a whole.
“I believe that the President's initiative to introduce English at all levels of public life is extremely important, as it is in line with our European integration aspirations,” said Iryna Konstankevych, the First Deputy Chair of the Committee, at the beginning of the meeting.
The Committee then listened to a presentation by experts from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine on the experience of promoting English around the world and the state of English learning in Ukraine. According to analyst Tetiana Prykhodko, “English is one of the leading languages today. And if we want to promote our products – and this is not only, for example, the business sector, but also culture – we need to master the language spoken by a significant part of the world.” The presentation also states that 56% of Ukrainians are willing to improve their English language skills.
“In general, the essence and philosophy of the draft law have not changed significantly by the second reading. The biggest change, namely the removal of the provisions on mandatory broadcasting of English-language films in cinemas, was adopted by the Committee and then by the Parliament in the hall during the first reading,” commented Yevheniia Kravchuk, the Deputy Head of the Committee.
The second issue considered and approved was a comparative table to the draft law on amendments to certain laws of Ukraine regarding the activities of religious organisations in Ukraine (Reg. No. 8371).
The purpose of the draft law is to protect national and public security, human rights and freedoms in the field of religious organisations and to prevent religious organisations whose governing centre (management) is located outside Ukraine in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine from operating in Ukraine.
The draft law proposes the following provisions:
- the russian orthodox church (roc) should be prohibited by law;
- the activities of all religious organisations affiliated with the roc will be terminated according to a clear procedure that will include a study, an order to comply with the law and a court injunction;
- the roc and its affiliates will not be able to use state and municipal property;
- a simplified procedure for the transition of religious communities.
The draft law amends the Laws of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations”, “On State Registration of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Organisations”, “On Lease of State and Communal Property”, “On Prevention and Counteraction to Legalisation (Laundering) of Proceeds of Crime, Terrorist Financing and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction”, “On the Military Chaplaincy Service”, and the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine.
The Committee received more than 1,200 amendments from Ukrainian MPs.
The Committee recommended that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopt Draft Law No. 8371 in the second reading and as a whole.