Ukraine: Recognize Carpatho-Rusyns as a Distinct Nationality

https://www.change.org/p/petro-poroshenko-ukraine-recognize-carpatho-rusyns-as-a-distinct-nationality

As Ukraine rebuilds itself after its parliamentary elections this fall 2014, striving to be a fully democratic republic, it must ensure recognition of its many peoples and support them as the indigenous cultures of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian central government has recognized Rusyn as a distinct language, with the right to be used in educational and civic institutions. We welcome that initiative, signed into law in August 2012, and call on Ukraine to take the next step: recognition of Carpatho-Rusyns as a distinct nationality. This would be another indication of Ukraine’s orientation toward Europe, where Carpatho-Rusyns have official status as a distinct nationality in Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Croatia.

Carpatho-Rusyns worldwide believe in maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine and oppose all efforts of neighboring countries to violate that integrity. It is time for the new Ukrainian central government to recognize Carpatho-Rusyns as a national minority and to provide support for Rusyn language, education, and culture in a renewed democratic Ukraine.

Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine
Geoffrey Pyatt, United States Ambassador to Ukraine
Olexander Motsyk, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Rita Izsák, United Nations Human Rights Council Independent Expert on Minority Issues
Valeria Lutkovska, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
John Kerry, Secretary of State
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Ohio-09
As Ukraine rebuilds itself after its parliamentary elections this fall 2014, striving to be a fully democratic republic, it must ensure recognition of its many peoples and support them as the indigenous cultures of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian central government has recognized Rusyn as a distinct language, with the right to be used in educational and civic institutions. We welcome that initiative, signed into law in August 2012, and call on Ukraine to take the next step: recognition of Carpatho-Rusyns as a distinct nationality. This would be another indication of Ukraine’s orientation toward Europe, where Carpatho-Rusyns have official status as a distinct nationality in Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Croatia.

Carpatho-Rusyns worldwide believe in maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine and oppose all efforts of neighboring countries to violate that integrity. It is time for the new Ukrainian central government to recognize Carpatho-Rusyns as a national minority and to provide support for Rusyn language, education, and culture in a renewed democratic Ukraine.