Daghestan government discuss draft law "On Daghestani peoples’ languages"

Makhachkala, July 16, 2014. On July 15, First Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Karibov chaired a meeting of the Daghestan government to discuss the draft law "On Daghestan peoples’ languages", said the press service of the Daghestan head and government’s administration.

In Daghestan, 28 peoples (ethnic groups, nations) are acknowledged: Avars, Aguls, Azeris, Andis, Archis, Akhvakhs, Bagvalis, Bezhtys, Botlikhs, Ginukhs, Godoberis, Gunzibs, Dargins, Didoys (Tsezis), Jews (Tats), Karatas, Kumyks, Laks, Lezghins (Kyuris), Nogais, Russians, Rutuls, Tabasarans, Tindis, Hvarshis, Tsakhurs, Chamalis, and Chechens.

This law establishes the general principles of the language policy in Daghestan, guarantees unrestricted development, regulation and use to Daghestani peoples’ languages, the legal regime to the international language, and citizens’ rights of using Daghestani peoples’ languages.

The deputy prime minister said, "Today, much work is done in Daghestan to preserve and promote our languages . However, the law "On Daghestan peoples’ languages" has not been adopted yet. It’s not that easy to prepare the law – it requires extensive discussion. The draft law will help establish a legal basis for the languages functioning in Dagestan, and the state’s duties for creating conditions for their learning and development. The law also provides equal respect to all languages used in Daghestan, with no exception."

Anatoly Karibov added that while establishing the project, they will consider comments proposed by experts and officials from ministries and departments. He also noted that the draft law will go through public hearing at the end of the month. Concluding the meeting, participants set a committee to submit motions to the draft law until late July.