What changes are proposed? One of the draft laws provides for strengthening the norms regarding the use of the state language. In particular, it is planned to: expand the list of officials who are obliged to use the Ukrainian language during the performance of official duties; to simplify the procedure of checks and consideration of complaints regarding violations of language legislation; strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian language in the field of education, culture, activities of local self-government bodies and during election processes. The parliament notes that international partners will be informed in advance about the proposed changes in order to avoid speculations about a possible violation of the rights of national minorities. Fines for Russian music can increase thousands of times. The Committee also supported the draft law, which introduces a real mechanism of responsibility for the reproduction of Russian music in public institutions and the service sector. It is proposed to establish the following fines: UAH 8.5 thousand — for the first violation; up to UAH 170,000 for repeated violations. Currently, the legislation also contains a ban on the public reproduction of Russian music in certain cases, but the current administrative fines are only from 17 to 170 hryvnias, which, according to the authors of the draft law, does not have a deterrent effect. How the punishment procedure will change The document also provides for a change in the prosecution mechanism. If the law is passed, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language will be able to impose a fine directly during the inspection, without a prior order or requirement to eliminate the violation. This should make control more operational and effective. The committee also asks to support the book industry In addition to the language draft laws, the parliamentary committee appealed to the government with a proposal to strengthen support for the Ukrainian publishing industry. Among the initiatives: the allocation of funds for the restoration of the Book Chamber building, damaged as a result of Russian shelling; financing of equipping the book depository with the necessary equipment; development of assistance programs for Ukrainian publishing houses that suffered losses due to a full-scale war. Currently, the draft laws are only recommended by the committee for consideration. The final decision on the introduction of new fines and changes to the language legislation must be taken by the Verkhovna Rada during the voting.
BusinessBy: Редакція ФінансистAugust 05, 20262 min read
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Why was there a need to change the law
In Ukraine, there is already a ban on the public reproduction of Russian music in institutions, but the responsibility for its violation remains minimal. Today, an administrative fine is provided for such actions from 17 to 170 hryvnias, which, according to the deputies, does not deter violators.
That is why the draft law proposes to significantly strengthen responsibility and make the implementation of the norm real, not formal.
What fines are proposed to be introduced
The document provides for a significant increase in financial sanctions:
- 8.5 thousand hryvnias — for the first violation;
- up to 170 thousand hryvnias — for repeated violation.
In addition, the procedure for prosecution is also changing. If now violators can be given a warning first, then after the adoption of the law The state language protection officer will be able to impose a fine immediately during the inspection, without an additional prescription to eliminate the violation.
What other language changes did the committee support?
In addition to the issue of Russian music, the deputies recommended adopting a draft law that strengthens the use of the Ukrainian language.
In particular, it is proposed:
- expand the list of officials, who are obliged to use the state language during the performance of official duties;
- to simplify the inspection procedure and consideration of complaints regarding violations of language legislation;
- strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian language in education, culture, work of local self-government bodies and during election processes.
According to representatives of the committee, international partners are planned to be informed about the changes in advance in order to avoid false interpretations regarding the rights of national minorities.
Support of the book industry is also among the priorities
During the meeting, the committee also appealed to the government to support the Ukrainian publishing house, which suffered due to Russian aggression.
Among the offers:
- allocate funds for the restoration of the Book Chamber, whose building was damaged as a result of Russian shelling;
- to finance the arrangement of the book depository with the necessary equipment;
- to develop state support mechanisms for publishing houses that lost property due to the war.
Currently, both bills are only received the support of the profile committee. The Verkhovna Rada will make the final decision on the introduction of new fines and language changes during a vote in the session hall.
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