A/HRC/22/49
greater challenges in learning and adapting to the national language and require
culturally sensitive, affordable and accessible assistance.
82.
The views of young people from minority communities must be taken into
account. While young people face different challenges and have different perceptions
of their identity, and some may have weaker commitments to minority language and
culture, many have a strong desire to maintain their language. They may wish to find
new opportunities and expressions of their cultures and identity, for example in the
arts, music and theatre, and those needs must be accommodated to the fullest extent
possible.
83.
Minorities have the right to use their own language, irrespective of its legal
status, and provisions should be made to enable minorities to learn and be taught in
their mother tongue as well as the official State languages. Models of bilingual
education have been demonstrated to be particularly valuable and should be
implemented by States in all regions. Positive models of integration are not only about
the integration of minority communities into wider society. It is a positive practice to
not only encourage minorities to learn and become proficient in the national language,
but also to encourage members of majority populations to learn minority languages.
84.
The growth of the Internet and web-based information has made dramatic
changes in the ways that people communicate and use and transmit language. In the
globalization of communication and media that has taken place, some languages
dominate, a phenomenon that may also be seen at the national level. The challenge to
ensure that all population groups can benefit equally requires solutions that include
the packaging of information in minority languages and provision of low-cost access
for all. The Internet clearly also has the potential to assist in the preservation,
dissemination and teaching of minority languages.
85.
The Independent Expert calls upon States Members of the United Nations to
provide her with information relating to the national protection of linguistic minority
rights and minority languages, including legislation, policy and practices. She
particularly wishes to be informed of positive practices to protect and promote the
rights of linguistic minorities. She encourages linguistic minorities and nongovernmental organizations to provide her with information about their situations
and challenges relating to minority-language use and their proposals for solutions to
challenges.
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