Problems of Introducing a Differentiated Approach to "Old" and "New" Minorities in Ukraine

Abstract

The relevance of the article is due to the reform of the legislative framework on national minorities in Ukraine, which is conditioned by European integration. The purpose of the article is to reveal the problems of identifying persons belonging to "old" minorities in Ukraine and discrimination against "new" minorities. In the course of the research, the author used the dialectical method, logical methods of analysis, synthesis, abstraction, comparative research method, forecasting method, and formal legal method. The author analyzes the provisions of the old inclusive Law of Ukraine "On National Minorities in Ukraine", the new exclusive Law of Ukraine "On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine", and some international treaties of Ukraine. The author identifies the problems related to the consolidation of the feature of traditional residence on the territory of Ukraine. The author analyzes the legal status of "new" minorities. It is concluded that the adoption of the new Law of Ukraine "On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine" has led to the introduction of a differentiated approach to "old" and "new" minorities in Ukraine, but the shortcomings of this Law make it impossible to determine which national minorities belong to the "old" ones. It is emphasized that the "new" minorities have been discriminated against due to the deprivation of their legal status as national minorities (communities) of Ukraine and equalization with the majority. Recommendations are made to address the identified shortcomings by removing from the concept of "national minority (community) of Ukraine" the feature of traditional residence on the territory of Ukraine and defining precise and clear features of settlements where persons belonging to national minorities (communities) traditionally reside or where they constitute a significant part of the population.