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â€œMinority languages need more respectâ€ says Commissioner Hammarberg

25 January 2010 19:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Ayaz Abdulla â€“ APA. â€œLanguage rights have become an issue of contention within several European countries, APA reports quoting Council of Europe web page. Their denial undermines human rights and causes inter-communal tensionsâ€ said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Viewpoint published today.

â€œThe spelling of personal names on passports, the displaying of street names and other topographical indications, the language used in schools, the language requirements when communicating with the authorities and the possibility to establish minority media are some of the main issues being raised by minority representativesâ€ said Commissioner Hammarberg. â€œMature political leadership is particularly needed in order to address these issues abiding by human rights standards.â€

Stressing that language is an essential tool for social organization and individual identity, the Commissioner calls on European governments to better take into account the needs of the minorities. â€œAll too often authorities have not listened carefully to them when policies have been developed. It is crucial that governments maintain close communication with persons belonging to national minorities and seek a thorough and continuing consultation.â€