Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 48

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Restrictions on minority languages in the field of education are particularly sensitive and can be the cause of grievances. The 1992 Declaration on Minorities states that wherever possible minorities have the right to learn or to have instruction in their mother tongue (art. 4, para. 3). Indeed, the commentary to the Declaration states that “denying minorities the possibility of learning their own language and of receiving instruction in their own language, or excluding from their education the transmission of knowledge about their own culture, history, tradition and language, would be a violation of the obligation to protect their identity” (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2, para. 28). Where official State languages are the only languages used in schools, minority children whose first language is their minority language are placed at a disadvantage from the earliest years of school, since they are often less proficient in the State language and are likely to fall behind.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on minority issues
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Education
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Social & Cultural Rights
Person(s) affected
  • Children
  • Ethnic minorities
Year
2013
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
48