A/RES/72/161
International Day of Sign Languages
10 September 2014, 69/96 A and B of 5 December 2014, 69/250 of 29 December
2014, 69/324 of 11 September 2015, 71/101 A and B of 6 December 2016, 71/262
and 71/263 of 23 December 2016, 71/288 of 24 May 2017, 71/314 of 19 July 2017
and 71/328 of 11 September 2017,
Affirming that ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights
relevant to matters of language and fundamental freedoms is a critical prerequisite to
the full realization of human rights for deaf people,
Aware that sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally
distinct from spoken languages, alongside which they coexist, and that, when working
with deaf communities, the principle of “nothing about us without us” must be
considered and integrated,
Recalling that early access to sign language and services in sign language,
including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and
development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the
internationally agreed development goals,
Recognizing the importance of preserving sign languages as part of linguistic
and cultural diversity,
1.
Proclaims 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages, to be
observed each year beginning in 2018, in order to raise awareness of the importance
of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf;
2.
Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations
system, other international organizations and civil society, including
non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe the International
Day of Sign Languages in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness
of sign languages;
3.
Encourages Member States to take measures to raise awareness of sign
languages throughout society;
4.
Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the
attention of all Member States and organizations of the United Nations system;
5.
Stresses that the cost of all activities that may arise from the
implementation of the present resolution regarding the Internationa l Day of Sign
Languages should be met from voluntary contributions.
73rd plenary meeting
19 December 2017
2/2
17-22970