It is necessary to strengthen the fight against manifestation of anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance, speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said opening a meeting of the inter-parliamentary coalition on fight against anti- Semitism, ForUm's correspondent reported.
In particular, he pointed out four priorities for legislative and executives bodies. "It is necessary to work out as soon as possible a program on implementation of laws concerning the fight against anti-Semitism, racism and religious intolerance," Lytvyn said.
The speaker also believes it is necessary to work out teaching materials on Holocaust, racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination. According to him, these materials must be implemented into school teaching program.
In addition, Lytvyn proposes to introduce a procedure of voluntary-compulsory viewing of materials on crimes against humanity for those, who spread or support misanthropic ideology. "I believe that those, who spread such ideas, should not be just called to tolerance, but also forced to view a corresponding video chronicles," the speaker said.
The head of the parliament also declared that the Ukrainian authorities must not only fight xenophobia, but try to prevent it. "We must learn to predict the world and to make responsible decisions," Lytvyn summed up.
ForUm decided to ask famous experts whether the situation around various forms of intolerance is that serious.
Volodymyr Paniotto, PhD, director general of the Kyiv international sociology institute, professor of Kyov Mogylyanska academy:
- In fact, the level of anti-Semitism in our country has been presented during all years of independence, but recently the situation stabilized.
According to some indirect indices, the level of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is higher than in the US or some European countries, but lower than in Russia.
What should Ukraine do in this situation? I think the country should better guarantee the rights of different ethnic groups. As for the legislation, the problem lies not in it, but in its usage.
Volodymyr Vyatrovich, historian:
- Ukrainians are a tolerant nation. In different times there were conflicts between Ukrainians and Polish, Ukrainians and Russians, Ukrainians and Jewish, but such conflicts existed in many countries. However, the period of peaceful existence of Ukrainians with other nations was much longer than enmity.
The violation of the balance and increase of intolerance are caused to some extend by authorities, who try to promote Russian chauvinist nationalism, which suppress national positions and culture of not only Ukrainians, but other nations as well.
Oleksandr Paliy, expert:
- National intolerance in Ukraine is at very low level. As a proof I give you an example: all three leaders of the latest presidential run are not ethnical Ukrainians. There are no ethnical Ukrainians among oligarchs as well.
Ukraine as a country appeared in the result of union of representatives of different nations. We don't have intolerance on the genetic level. The main characteristic of our nations is loyalty.
Volodymyr Kornilov, director of Ukrainian branch if the Institute of CIS countries:
- Of course there is intolerance in Ukraine. Anti-Semitism has strong historical tradition.
Unfortunately, bashing and persecution of Jewish on the territory of Ukraine lasted for decades.
Population of Lviv and some regions of Galychyna appeared due to such ethnic cleanup with participation of Ukrainian nationalists, collaborationists, Banderovites. The fact that the previous authorities, Viktor Yushcnenko and Co., tried to hide it does not make any good.
We need to open archives, to hold exhibitions concerning persecution of not only Jewish, but also Polish and other nations.
In particular, he pointed out four priorities for legislative and executives bodies. "It is necessary to work out as soon as possible a program on implementation of laws concerning the fight against anti-Semitism, racism and religious intolerance," Lytvyn said.
The speaker also believes it is necessary to work out teaching materials on Holocaust, racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination. According to him, these materials must be implemented into school teaching program.
In addition, Lytvyn proposes to introduce a procedure of voluntary-compulsory viewing of materials on crimes against humanity for those, who spread or support misanthropic ideology. "I believe that those, who spread such ideas, should not be just called to tolerance, but also forced to view a corresponding video chronicles," the speaker said.
The head of the parliament also declared that the Ukrainian authorities must not only fight xenophobia, but try to prevent it. "We must learn to predict the world and to make responsible decisions," Lytvyn summed up.
ForUm decided to ask famous experts whether the situation around various forms of intolerance is that serious.
Volodymyr Paniotto, PhD, director general of the Kyiv international sociology institute, professor of Kyov Mogylyanska academy:
- In fact, the level of anti-Semitism in our country has been presented during all years of independence, but recently the situation stabilized.
According to some indirect indices, the level of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is higher than in the US or some European countries, but lower than in Russia.
What should Ukraine do in this situation? I think the country should better guarantee the rights of different ethnic groups. As for the legislation, the problem lies not in it, but in its usage.
Volodymyr Vyatrovich, historian:
- Ukrainians are a tolerant nation. In different times there were conflicts between Ukrainians and Polish, Ukrainians and Russians, Ukrainians and Jewish, but such conflicts existed in many countries. However, the period of peaceful existence of Ukrainians with other nations was much longer than enmity.
The violation of the balance and increase of intolerance are caused to some extend by authorities, who try to promote Russian chauvinist nationalism, which suppress national positions and culture of not only Ukrainians, but other nations as well.
Oleksandr Paliy, expert:
- National intolerance in Ukraine is at very low level. As a proof I give you an example: all three leaders of the latest presidential run are not ethnical Ukrainians. There are no ethnical Ukrainians among oligarchs as well.
Ukraine as a country appeared in the result of union of representatives of different nations. We don't have intolerance on the genetic level. The main characteristic of our nations is loyalty.
Volodymyr Kornilov, director of Ukrainian branch if the Institute of CIS countries:
- Of course there is intolerance in Ukraine. Anti-Semitism has strong historical tradition.
Unfortunately, bashing and persecution of Jewish on the territory of Ukraine lasted for decades.
Population of Lviv and some regions of Galychyna appeared due to such ethnic cleanup with participation of Ukrainian nationalists, collaborationists, Banderovites. The fact that the previous authorities, Viktor Yushcnenko and Co., tried to hide it does not make any good.
We need to open archives, to hold exhibitions concerning persecution of not only Jewish, but also Polish and other nations.
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