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    ACTION ALERT

    C-RS's National Capital Chapter (in metropolitan Washington, DC) has implemented the first phase of its efforts regarding the educational/awareness of U.S. public officials about Rusyn human rights violations, especially in Ukraine. Approximately 160 letters were recently mailed to congressional representatives who have been identified as having Rusyn descendants living in their districts. As a follow-up to this effort and to solicit support from other chapters and fellow C-RS members, the National Capital Chapter presents the following information.

    CALL TO ACTION: RUSYN HUMAN RIGHTS

    The state of Ukraine refuses to recognize the existence of Carpatho-Rusyns living within its borders. This policy, which is in violation of international agreements, is part of a long-standing Ukrainian effort to assimilate Carpatho-Rusyns and destroy their religious, linguistic, and cultural heritage.

    Approximately 650,000 Carpatho-Rusyns -- the indigenous inhabitants of the Transcarpathian oblast -- are denied the right to their own name, language, and culture. In the Ukrainian national census of December 2001, Rusyns were discouraged from identifying as such and were counted as a "sub-ethnic group" of Ukrainians. This continuation of Soviet census categorization and practice in present-day Ukraine violates the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the various conventions signed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Ukraine is a member of both the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

    Contact your senator and congressional representatives. Tell them that you are concerned about the plight of Rusyns in Ukraine. Request an inquiry into the implementation of OSCE commitments by Ukraine. Tell them that the Rusyns of Ukraine deserve to be registered as an official minority, to have their language protected by the European Charter for Regional Languages, and to receive governmental support equal to that granted to other recognized minorities.

    If you have relatives in Ukraine or direct experience, personalize your letter and include this information. In particular, include any examples of discrimination or repression that you may be aware of.

    You can find your state representatives, get their mail addresses, and send e-mail directly from at http://www.congress.org. Remember to include your name and address.

    Tom Brenzovich, President
    C-RS National Capital Chapter

Sample letter/email:

Dear Mr./Ms./Senator ...:

As one of your constituents [of Carpatho-Rusyn descent], I am concerned about the plight of Rusyns in Ukraine. The democratic state of Ukraine refuses to recognize the existence of this distinct national minority living within its borders, and instead re-codes Rusyns as a "sub-ethnic" group of Ukrainians.

This policy is part of a long-standing Ukrainian effort to assimilate Carpatho-Rusyns and, in violation of international agreements, to destroy their religious, linguistic, and cultural heritage.

I urge you to request your colleagues on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to conduct an inquiry into the implementation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commitments by Ukraine. Specifically, Rusyns in Ukraine deserve to be listed as an official minority, have their language protected by the European Charter for Regional Languages, and receive governmental support equal to that granted to other recognized minorities.

Please keep me informed about your actions regarding this vital matter.

Sincerely yours,

(your name)