Matviyenko calls for intensification of protection of Russian language worldwide
LIVADIYA (Crimea). June 6 (Interfax) - Russia needs to more actively protect the Russian language in some countries of the world, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.
"The persecution of the Russian language becomes in some countries an element of state policy. Some [countries] impose restrictions on its study and use, some [countries], like, for example, Latvia and Ukraine, adopt laws aimed at the complete removal of the language, which is native to millions of citizens, from the education system. Activists who speak in defense of Russian schools are threatened and are subjected to repression. So much for the praised democracy," Matviyenko said at the 4th international forum Russian World and Global Humanitarian Space held in Livadiya, southern Crimea, on Wednesday.
"Such tendencies need to be opposed actively, in a more proactive way than we are doing," she said.
"The entire available potential, that of international organizations and our partners in the parliament, should be used. We all lack activity and proactiveness," Matviyenko said.