Tallinn did not see human rights violations in the abolition of Russian-language education

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna disagreed with the conclusions of the UN Special Rapporteurs, saying that the country’s transition to Estonian-language education does not violate the rights of national minorities. His comment published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.

“It is unreasonable to link the transition to teaching in Estonian, which is part of the integration policy, with the guarantee of human rights. Estonia supports the opportunities for minorities to study in their mother tongue, as well as cultural diversity in general,” he said.

The minister added that the transition to Estonian in education will allow all children living in the country to receive a quality education in Estonian, as well as create equal opportunities in the labor market and increase social cohesion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the republic will prepare a response to the appeal of UN experts, he added.

In December 2022, the Estonian parliament voted by a majority to support a law establishing the procedure for translating the entire education system in the country into Estonian. From 2024 to 2025, kindergartens and elementary grades of schools will switch to Estonian, and until 2029-2030. the share of lessons in the state language will have to reach at least 60%.

Also, from 2024, teachers will be required to have knowledge of the state language at the C1 level, and they will be able to “carry out educational and educational activities in a language other than Estonian” only with the permission of the government.

Earlier this week, the Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights considered Estonian standards to be contrary to international human rights treaties. In particular, the document expresses concern, concern about how the education reform will affect the Russian-speaking population of the country, Vedomosti wrote.