Law of Ukraine «On Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine»: declaration of rights and their further implementation»

Abstract

Keywords: Indigenous peoples, Crimean Tatars, Karaites, Krymchaks, Gagauzpeople, representation, legal status, self-determination, language, culture, traditions,people, identity
 The article analyses indetail the legal status and certain types of rights as signed to indigenous peoples ofUkraine under the recently adopted Law of Ukraine «On Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine». The criteria of belonging of separate communities to the indigenous peoplesof Ukraine, features of realization by these peoples of their collective rights, and alsorealization by separate representatives of indigenous peoples of their individualrights in the corresponding spheres are defined. The study also defines the characteristicsof the indigenous people, which distinguish this concept from other related concepts,in particular, the concept of national minority. Also, the article, based on theaforementioned Law, determines why only the indigenous peoples of Crimea:Crimean Tatars, Karaites and Krymchaks can be recognized as indigenous peoples ofUkraine, in contrast to the Gagauz people, who currently in Ukraine’s Odessa region.The study also highlights the peculiarities of the representation of indigenous peoplesof Ukraine at the local, national and international levels. A detailed interpretation ofthe provisions of the Law clarifies its role and significance, as well as prospects for theimplementation of its provisions in the future. The specifics of the representation ofindigenous peoples in Ukraine have been studied, in particular through the functioningof separate representative bodies of indigenous peoples, as well as the representationof the aforementioned communities within public authorities and local governments.The process and peculiarities of interaction of the representative bodies of theindigenous peoples of Ukraine with the bodies of state power and local self-governmentin Ukraine are analysed, along with the specifics of the legal status of such bodiesof the indigenous peoples. The publication proves the need for further the legislativeprocess to implement the requirements of the law, as well as the development ofdetailed and transparent mechanisms for such implementation.