"No words, no language"

Brawl in Ukrainian Parliament (courtesy of The New York Times)

Ukrainian political discussions are currently dominated by the proposed constitutional reforms to raise Russian to a second official language in the regions. According to the Eurasia Daily Monitor Russian speakers make up approximately 10% of the population in each of Ukraine's regions. To call the zakonoproekt divisive is an understatement; albeit the reform is one that political officials believe would improve the lives of millions of citizens in Ukraine's eastern provinces. Ukrainian nationalists believe that the law would remove any incentive for Eastern Ukrainians to learn the state language, and create a voter-base of nearly 37% of the population that does not speak Ukrainian. Put simply, Ukrainian nationalists fear another round of Russification policies that would threaten the existence of the Ukrainian language, a language which fortunately survived its colonial, genocidal, and totalitarian experiences of the 20th century.

President Yanukovych hopes to use the law to improve bilateral trade relations with Russia, which have soured since Moscow joined in the condemnation of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's imprisonment. The memories of the Orange Revolution and then-president Viktor Yushchenko's plans to strengthen the country and its sense of "Ukrainianness" remain today, but little has changed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Regional identities have perhaps become stronger than ever in the wake of Soviet language policy and the failure of the Orange Revolution to introduce wide-sweeping changes in Ukraine, yet regionalism is doing little to strengthen Ukraine's position in the region or in its geo-political contacts with Europe and other Western states. The language debate taking place in the Ukrainian government creates an arena for highlighting contending issues of regional and national identity in present-day Ukraine. A number of regional protests (photos below) shed light on ordinary citizens' perspectives on identity and its importance in the future of the country.

"No words, no language" (courtesy of tyzhden.ua)

In a recent lecture given by historian Ivan Fedyk, of L'viv National University, the question was raised how post-Soviet Ukraine continues to exist despite regional cleavages concerning identity. Prof. Fedyk contends that the otherwise divided country of Ukraine and nation of Ukrainians is unified by the shared idea of Ukrainian statehood. Is the population actually willing to sacrifice its identity to preserve the state? It's doubtful, but the law could come up for referendum in the near future.

"I'm Russian and I don't ask for protection" (courtesy of tyzhden.ua)

Debates in government and among citizens suggest that neither side is considering backing down. Images from protests, as shown above, also suggest that Russian-speaking or native Russians living in Ukraine do not unanimously support the decisions of Yanukovych's government (it is this observer's intent to find more concrete figures and reporting about the breakdown of Russophone Ukrainian's opinions on the current debate in weeks to come).

The immediate future holds more of the same for Ukraine, perpetually suspended between East and West, as the European Union demands democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners while Russia continues to draw Ukraine closer to membership in its Customs Union. The revitalization of Ukraine's protest culture over language reforms could spread into other spheres as election season draws nearer. Some observers argue that another revolution on par with the 2004 Orange Revolution is necessary to transform the current system of governance in Ukraine, which is dominated by small families or clans. Ukrainians continue to be hugely invested in the dominant discussions in the country so there is no lack of political participation in the country.

Articles referred to in this post:

Zenon Zawada, "A political threat to Ukraine’s language," http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/a-political-threat-to-ukraines-language.html#.T-cyA2thiK0

"James Sherr: Ukraine's Relationship with the EU is Destructive", http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/james-sherr-ukraines-relationship-with-the-eu-is-d.html#.T-cDyVxhiSN

"Party of Regions Plays Russian Language Trump Card Again," Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol. 9, Issue 105

"Ukraine's Opposition Program Requires Another Revolution," Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol. 9, Issue 101, http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%255Btt_news%255D=39430.

Tatiana Zhurzhenko. Borderlands into Bordered Lands: Geopolitics of Identity in Post-Soviet Ukraine. Stuttgart: Ibidem-Verlag, 2010 [full review forthcoming]

«Всє на защіту русского язика!»: чому вітчизняні політики ігнорують національні почуття українців? ("All in defense of the Russian Language!": Why do domestic politicians ignore national feelings of Ukrainians?), http://tyzhden.ua/Politics/52929

"Мовний законопроект – поклони Кремлю за підтримку на виборах," (Language Law: Bowing to the Kremlin for Support in the Elections), http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/24618065.html

 

This Week in the News 

Bosnia i Herzegovina (BiH)

Muslims in Europe are isolated and are constantly forced to defend themselves, adjust and assimilate or else, they are forced to live in the ghetto. The West has granted Muslims various minority rights, but they still are still unhappy, why? First, they are not only an imagined minority, but also a real one. Second, societal behavior toward Muslims has not changed and they are thus still on the margins of the society, and left to solve their own daily troubles. The West is realizing too late that this isolation contributes to the emergence of fundamentalism and terrorism. Terrorists are not telling us that they will live better in the company of virgins in paradise. Instead, they are telling us that they want to dye because they cannot live humanely here on earth. Islam, for many, became a tool of social and political resistance. Women are wearing the headscarf not solely as a symbol of dignity, no. The headscarf is an image that symbolizes resistance – a symbol that is provoking. Yet, why, one wonders, is it so provoking when even Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, wears a headscarf? Why is covering one’s body thought of as provoking while women all over Europe display their naked bodies in red-light districts? These days we are listening to politicians who argue for better and more inclusive immigration. Angela Merkel even said that multiculturalism and assimilation has failed. The better question to ask, however, would be if multiculturalism ever existed? The new generation will plow the way. The third generation no longer wishes to work on construction sites or shipyards like the first generation, and they no longer want to live in ghettos like the second generation. Meanwhile, for those who would like to see Islam disappear from Europe, Bosnia presents a special problem. The problem with Bosniaks is that they own their land, a country, while being Bosniak is autochthone with being Muslim. Bosnia is therefore something of an oddity for Western Europe, and one it will have to get used to.

BiH authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to continue negotiations on May 16^th 2012 as was confirmed by the head of BiH’s IMF mission in Sarajevo, Costas Christou. Christou stated that all he could confirm now, was that BiH’s authorities showed interest in renewing the IMF program. Before the talks, BiH’s economic situation must be assessed, then, we can talk about the new credit arrangements. BiH’s president of the council of ministers Vjekoslav Bevanda explained that renewing the BiH – IMF partnership was necessary as he believes that this will be the only way to bring BiH’s finances in order. Finance minister of the Federation of BiH Anto Krajina stated that he is ready to cooperate with the IMF. Republika Srpska’s (RS) finance minister Zoran Tegeltija too agreed to cooperate with the IMF.

“BiH uskoro započinje nove pregovore sa MMF-om”. Slobodna Dalmacija. Accessed May 11, 2012. http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/BiH/tabid/68/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/173286/Default.aspx        

“Muslimani, getoizacija ili zbogom”. Al Jazeera Balkans. accessed May 11, 2012. http://balkans.aljazeera.net/makale/muslimani-getoizacija-ili-zbogom   

Serbia

According to election headquarters in Novi Pazar, Rasim Ljajić’s Social Democratic Party of Serbia (SDP) received the most votes during the municipal elections. By 10pm May 6^th, the SDP had received 2o percent, or 4,315 votes, the Democratic Action Party (SDA) got 2,587 and the Bosniak Democratic Community (BDZ). According to the same source, the SDP also received the most votes in Prijepolje while the SDA won in Sjenica and Tutin. Representatives of Muamer Zukorlić stated that his greatest support came from Sandžak based municipalities.

The Belgrade parliament will look as follows: 73 seats went to the “Turn Serbia” coalition lead by Nikolić’s Progressive Party (SNS), the coalition “For a Better Life” lead by Tadić’s (DS) received 68 seats. The third strongest coalition is centered around Ivica Dačić’s Sociaist Party (SPS) with 45, followed by the “Reversal” coalition lead by Čedomir Jovanović with 20 seats. 16 members will represent the “United Regions of Serbia” movement, the “Alliance of Vojvodinian Hungarians” have five representatives, the “Democratic Action Party” of Sandžak and the coalition “Together” will each have one seat.

The German analysis portal “Deutsche Welle” (German Wave) explained that overall, Serbia did not stray far from its political course regarding its elections. Voters decided to stay on the course toward EU integration. Serbs, in other words have put continued trust in the parties that hitherto represented their interests. This comes despite Serbia’s current situation. The country is crushed under the weight of the economic crisis, unemployment has reached unprecedented heights, and people are not being paid regularly, corruption blossoms. Nevertheless, Boris Tadić (DS) has good chances to renew his mandate as president in coalition with Ivica Dačić (SPS). In all, Milošević’s successors appear to be the biggest successors of the parliamentary elections as the SPS recorded the largest voter increase. They are now confident to start new negotiations regarding their coalition. SPS leader Ivica Dačić who until now was minister of the interior could now become a strong competitor to Tadić. Meanwhile, Tomislav Nikolić’s SNS is not likely to take over the government. Serbian voters, amidst the widespread economic misery, opted for the lesser evil. Voters know what to expect while strong headway toward EU accession is probable. Also, one can expect continued dialogue and normalization of relations with Kosovo. The EU will likely ask of Serbia to discontinue the parallel institutions and to abandon her influence there. Nevertheless, the DS’s loss of 1/3 of the vote illustrates that voters are disappointed with the ruling coalition’s efforts regarding the slow economy. The government’s main task will be to reform Serbia’s political climate and further pursue EU accession. The judicial system has to be reformed, firms must be privatized and corruption and the organized crime must be fought more effectively. For all these reasons, it will be interesting to see how the presidential race will play out between Nikolić and Tadić. Tadić has a slight advantage, but also good chances that the socialists will support him. However, it is not sure yet that he will be re-elected. Even if Nikolić were to win the second round, it would not be so fateful for Serbia’s elections. Nikolić’s party has not yet rid itself from its dark past. After breaking away from he radical party lead by Vojislav Šešelj, the party has not dealt with its past in which it supported paramilitary troops during the 1990’s war. However, the schism was only tactically as Nikolić is unable to govern for as long as Šeśelj is in The Hague. But, even if Nikolić were to win the elections, Serbia’s way toward the EU would not be jeopardized.

According to the Rijaset of Serbia’s Islamic Community, the election results in Serbia illustrate that mufti Muamer Zukorlić does not enjoy support in Sandźak. All Muslims should unite within a single Islamic Community (IZ). The Rijaset pointed out that one characteristic worth noting is that the parliamentary elections were a victory for parties that opted for integration, and a defeat – at all levels – for parties with radical agendas. Zukorlić who received 20 percent of the vote, so the Rijaset, is completely defeated. It is a statement by the Bosniak community of Sandžak that they support the basic principles of Islam that area also applicable to legal regulations. Zukorlić, meanwhile also proved to have stepped out of the framework of these frameworks and thus ceased to be a mufti. The Rijaset announced that thus, all conditions are fulfilled for the reunification of Serbia’s Islamic Community. The Rijaset urged all religious officials, imams and religious teachers to formally embrace the unified Islamic Community. The Rijaset also called on relevant state authorities to resolve the issue of registration of churches and religious communities to enable equality of Serbia’s Islamic Community with all other religious communities in Serbia.

“Ujedinjene muslimana, bez Zukorlića”. Mondo. Accessed May 14, 2012. http://www.mondo.rs/s243810/Info/Hronika_i_Drustvo/Rijaset-_Ujedinjenje_muslimana_bez_Zukorlica.html     

“Od dva zla birači u Srbiji izabrali manje”. DW.DE. accessed May 14, 2012. http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15934022,00.html             

“Democrate 68, naprednici 73!” Kurir. Accessed May 14, 2012. http://www.kurir-info.rs/ovako-ce-da-izgleda-novi-parlament-clanak-213550      

“Vesti iz zemlje”. Beta press. Accessed May 11, 2012. http://www.beta.rs/?tip=article&kategorija=vestiizzemlje&ida=2695603&id=&ime=