“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 815–825.

DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-815-825

Kardash Olena
Ensuring Adherence to the Rights of National Minorities in the Activities of the OSCE

ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491

Introduction. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the protection of national minorities’ rights and freedoms in Ukraine within the framework of European integration. It emphasizes that respect for minority rights is not only a domestic obligation but also a key requirement of the European Union for Ukraine’s accession. The study situates Ukraine’s efforts within the broader international legal context, 

focusing on the commitments undertaken by OSCE participating States since the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, which first recognized the fundamental right to freedom of movement and minority protection.

A central part of the article is devoted to the role of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, established in 1992 as a conflict-prevention mechanism. The High Commissioner’s mandate includes early warning, quiet diplomacy, and issuing thematic recommendations to governments.

The aim of the article. The purpose of the article is to analyze the recommendations and directives issued by the ofice of the High Commissioner in the context of their role in shaping Ukraine’s state policy on ensuring the rights of national minorities and promoting interethnic harmony. The article traces evolution of the recommendations, starting from the Hague Recommendations (1996) on education rights, stressing minority language instruction and analyzing the later recommendations on policing (2006), inter-state relations (Bolzano, 2008), integration of diverse societies (Ljubljana, 2012), access to justice (Graz, 2017), media and digital rights (Tallinn, 2019), and socio-economic participation (2023).

Results. The article highlights how these instruments influenced Ukraine’s legislation, including the 1992 Law on National Minorities, the 1997 ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the 2003 ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and the 2017 Law on Education. It notes the challenges of balancing integration with preservation of linguistic identity, particularly in the context of reforms in education and language policy.

Special attention is given to the current context of Russian armed aggression, which has intensified the need for monitoring minority rights in occupied territories and protecting displaced persons. The article documents recent cooperation between Ukraine and the OSCE High Commissioner (2022–2024), focusing on issues such as access to education in minority languages, implementation of the updated Law on National Minorities (2022), and safeguarding rights in Crimea and other occupied regions.

Conclusions. The OSCE’s human dimension, and specifically the High Commissioner’s recommendations, remain vital for Ukraine’s democratic development. Ensuring minority rights is presented as both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity for Ukraine’s successful integration into the European human rights and security architecture.

Keywords: OSCE, CSCE, human dimension, fundamental human rights, Helsinki Final Act 1975, national minorities, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, European integration.

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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 20.01.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026