The United Nations has asked France for an explanation

France has a UN mandate on the management of regional languages ​​in its territory. In a letter to the French government Discovered by our colleagues on May 31, 2022 Western France The United Nations Human Rights Council reviews Decision of the Constitutional Council of May 21, 2021 To censor certain provisions of the Molag Act in favor of regional languages.

The letter was signed by three special rapporteurs: South Africa’s Fernand de Varennes, expert on issues related to minorities, Greece’s Alexandra Santhati, expert in the field of cultural rights, and Burkinabe Kombo Pauli Bari, expert on the right to education. They fear that “The adoption and implementation of this decision would lead to significant violations of the human rights of linguistic minorities in France”. They assume that the resolution of the Constituent Assembly will be accepted “An attack on dignity, freedom, equality and impartiality and on the minority languages ​​and historical cultures of France”.

Read moreWhy are regional languages ​​important?

Let’s go back a bit. Last year, the Constitutional Council censored two “essential” articles of this law: one In depth teaching Regarding the use of diacritics such as the tilde (~) in a language other than French (ie offering courses exclusively in the regional language) and in civil status documents. Produced byBreton Deputy Leader of the Opposition Paul Molock (Liberties and Territories group), the Act was intended to protect the heritage of regional languages ​​and to contribute to their development. Since 70 years. She was there too It was widely accepted by Parliament on April 8, 2021 with 247 votes76 against and 19 abstentions as well as the Senate, despite opposition from the government.

The decision of the Constituent Assembly to censor these two articles was decided “unintelligible” By Morbihan’s deputy, the author of the bill. “The ID card has English on it and it is autoLaughed, he specifically condemned. It’s two weights, two measures.”. As for the sinking, he felt it “A completely outdated view”. “It makes a whole range of schools vulnerable to education in Breton, Catalan, Occitan,” A worried Paul Molag called on President Macron to initiate a change in the constitution.

The UN Human Rights Council therefore reconsidered the decision, specifically pointing out and asking the French government for an explanation. “Differential treatment between education in minority languages ​​and English in France”. this, “Although the teaching of minority languages ​​in France is prohibited, teaching in English in all its forms is tolerated without difficulty”, note reporters. They believe this decision contradicts international treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or the International Convention on the Rights of the Child signed by France in the 1980s or 1990s.

Read more“Strengthening the Teaching of Regional Languages ​​in Divided France?”

“The human rights group has long been investigating how France treats its own minority languages. The recommendations have already been sent to the government, but the problem is that France considers that there are no minorities on its territory.MP Paul Molock commented France 3 with Brittany. In fact, the United Nations Human Rights Council only makes recommendations. These may or may not be followed by the respective states.

See more – Foreign languages: how to improve learning in France?