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Disinfo: New language law in Ukraine discriminates against the Russian language and Russian-speaking population

Summary

The aim of the law is not to strengthen the functioning of the Ukrainian language or to protect it as the only state language, but to discriminate against Russian and the languages of national minorities. People will be deprived of the right to speak the language they are used to by a punitive law.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and discrimination against Russian speakers. The new language law (The Law on the Functioning of Ukrainian as a State Language) is still in a draft phase. The draft says that Ukrainian is the only state language and defines the spheres of life where Ukrainian is necessary. Yet, it specifically says that people are free to choose what language they want to speak. The draft law, inter alia, proposes that any language, other than Ukrainian, can be used in schools, hospitals, other cultural and social institutions. It also says that along with Ukrainian, media outlets and Internet websites can use other languages, nevertheless, priority is given to Ukrainian. The law does not define what language is to be used in private conversations. Previous debunk on this case is here.

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112.ua - YouTube (Archived)
112.ua - YouTube (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 141
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 12/03/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Russian language
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Non-transparent report of OPCW on Douma attack is biased

The OPCW report on the alleged use of toxic chemicals as a weapon in Douma is full of gaps, discrepancies, and inconsistencies. The OPCW, which announced the use of chlorine in Douma in April 2018, did not take into account elements presented by Russia, Syria and even by British journalists, in particular the recent statement by the British journalist Riam Dalati. After 6 months of investigation, according to this journalist, he could prove, without any doubt that the scene in the hospital of Douma was staged and no death occurred in the hospital. The investigation conducted by OPCW was not transparent enough.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative on the chemical attack in Douma and the OPCW report covering it. OPCW's investigations of the use of chemical weapons are technical in nature and are designed to establish whether or not chemical weapons have been used, not to identify who used them. The methodological considerations, activities and timeline are an integral part OPCW's final report on Douma. It does not leave any doubts on the detection of chlorine on Douma: "based on the levels of chlorinated organic derivatives, detected in several environmental samples gathered at the sites of alleged use of toxic chemicals, which are not naturally present in the environment, the FFM concludes that the objects from which the samples were taken at both locations had been in contact with one or more substances containing reactive chlorine" (page 3 of the report). The tweet of BBC's producer Riam Dalati, mentioned in the claim, doesn't deny the chemical attack; "The producer was expressing his personal opinions about some of the video footage that emerged after the attack but has not claimed that the attack did not happen", the BBC spokesperson told Sputnik.

A Swedish film about an attack from Russia prepares the Swedes for joining NATO

In Sweden, a film about a Russian military attack on the country has premiered. A film like that has only one objective: to scare the Swedes and convince them that Russia is a monster, prepared to use chemical and biological weapons. Swedes are supposed to feel the threat from Russia. All this is to prepare the Swedes for a NATO membership.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Sweden is maintaining a policy of non-alignment and has no plans to join the NATO. The film, Den blomstertid nu kommer, is a thriller about an attack from an unknown enemy force. The film never mentions any country as an aggressor. See here for another disinformation case on Sweden and NATO.

No proof of Russian interference in elections in the US and Europe

The European Parliament analysed the influence of Russia on elections in foreign countries. The authors of the study wrongly accuse Moscow of interfering in the affairs of the United States, Great Britain, France and other states. By doing so, Brussels is preparing for the possibility for anti-systemic parties to get more votes. If it happens, it will blame Russia for interference again. Accusing Russia of everything has become a kind of fashion trend in the West.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West blaming Russia for everything, and trying to divert attention from the real problems by doing so. There are numerous reports investigating meddling in elections across Europe in the US, which have already proven Kremlin's participation in meddling. See here for the list of the reports and here for the US Senate report outlining various meddling attempts in different countries.