30 June 2011, 10:00
A referendum on the status of the Russian language announced in South Osetia
On September, 11, a referendum on the status of the Russian language will be held in South Osetia. The respective edict of President Edward Kokoiti came into effect and was published on June, 29, in state mass media.
According to this document, the question “Do you agree that Osetian and Russian should be the state languages in the Republic of South Osetia?” will be put to vote.
Institutions of state authority of South Osetia are commissioned with working out measures for financial, material, technical and organizational provision of the referendum. Central election committee will have to prepare and hold the referendum and also ensure realization and protection of the citizens’ constitutional rights of participation in the referendum, IA “Res” reports.
In accordance with clause 4 of the Constitution of South Osetia, Osetian is the state language in the republic. Maintenance and development of the Osetian language has been declared the major task for state institutions of the republic.
Russian, along with Osetian, and Georgian in the areas of tight dwelling of ethnic Georgians are acknowledged official languages of institutions of state authority, state administration and local self-government, RSOnews reports.
