Tbilisi: "Replacing Georgian language with Russian at occupied schools is part of Russification policy"
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Georgia’s Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that occupied Tskhinvali’s is making hints about replacing the Georgian language with Russian at Akhalgori schools, which is "another step within the policy of russification”.
Akhalgori is a town in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). Lately, de-facto leaders of the breakaway region have started talking about possibly switching Akhalgori schools from Georgian-language education into a Russian-language curriculum.
Tsikhelashvili said that this issue is very important for the Georgian government and Tbilisi will use all possible international forums to prevent Akhalgori locals "from discrimination and attempt of Russification” and to ensure the protection of their fundamental human rights.
She said that the occupant force has been implementing a similar policy at schools of Gali, a municipality of another Russian-occupied Georgian region, for years and it seems like the same is now planned for Tskhinvali region too.
"This is a discrimination against Georgian nationals who live in a very environment in the occupied area. This is totally unacceptable for the Georgian government and the international community”, Tsikhelashvili said.
She added that receiving education in one’s native language is a fundamental human rights.
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Georgian Reconciliation Minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that the opening of a Russian school in Georgia’s eastern occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region should be a signal to Ossetians living in the region.
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