Activists from Caucasus disappointed by law on native languages

The State Duma has adopted the law providing for voluntary study of native languages without taking into account the opinion of representatives of national republics, stated activists of the North-Caucasian NGOs. They have promised to seek the repeal of the law.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 24, delegates of the State Duma approved the bill on national languages and left the compulsory study of native languages to the choice of pupils' parents.

According to Valery Khatazhukov, the head for the Human Rights Centre of Kabardino-Balkaria, the main requirement for the authorities was to make the study of native languages compulsory. He is afraid that schools will force parents and children not to learn their native languages.

According to Zaurbiy Chundyshko, the chairman for the Maikop city NGO "Adyge Khase", the voluntary study of native languages will lead to the disappearance of the national culture of nations.

Members of the State Duma are not interested in listening to the opinion of the society, believes Alikhan Khoranov, a blogger from North Ossetia.

Residents of Dagestan also criticized the adoption of the law on native languages. The new training order will encourage some parents to refuse to study national languages in favour of the Russian language, and the federal centre will continue the course on assimilation of small nations, believe residents of Dagestan.