A/HRC/24/51
methodological guide was developed with the technical assistance from the ILO and the
United Nations Development Programme.
4.
Culture and languages
41.
There were examples of indigenous languages being recognized in State
constitutions. However, the most common response was to highlight the importance of
education to promote and implement indigenous peoples’ rights to culture and language.
There were a few examples of indigenous languages being taught in national schools. A
few States explicitly indicated that curricula were developed in consultation with
indigenous peoples. Some States indicated a need to overcome negative stereotypes of
indigenous cultures and languages in order to preserve and promote their use.
42.
The Bolivian education system has been undergoing changes, based on an ideology
and political practice of decolonization, liberation, revolution, anti-imperialism and
transformation without discrimination or exploitation. The revamped education system
provides cultural education, which contributes to the affirmation and strengthening of
cultural identities, recognition, assessment and development of indigenous peoples’ culture
in dialogue with other cultures and language. The Bolivian Constitution provides for
education to begin in the mother tongue of each region. The Bolivian Constitution also
provides for the creation of indigenous universities for indigenous youth.
43.
In Peru, the Declaration was explicitly invoked by the Minister of Education in the
creation of the National Commission on Intercultural Bilingual Education (CONEIB). Peru
has also passed a law on intercultural bilingual education, which aims to recognize cultural
diversity and promote intercultural bilingual education in regions inhabited by indigenous
peoples. Peruvian law also recognizes and guarantees the right of indigenous peoples to
conditions of education equal to the rest of the nation. The Minister of Education is to
design and implement a national plan for intercultural bilingual education. Indigenous
peoples are to participate in the formulation and implementation of these education
programmes. Peru has also developed a capacity-building programme for interpreters
participating in consultation processes.
44.
Chile identified programmes for the teaching and learning of indigenous languages
and cultures in the nation’s schools. The Constitution of Guyana provides protection of
indigenous peoples’ right “to protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages,
cultural heritage and way of life”. The Constitution of Iraq guarantees an Iraqi individual’s
right to education in his or her mother tongue.
45.
The Constitution of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic recognizes the Lao
language as the official language and dialect of the country. However, in day-to-day life,
each ethnic group is free to preserve and use its dialect in family and community for the
preservation of their culture and traditions.
46.
In the Congo, the law guarantees collective and individual rights of indigenous
peoples to their intellectual property relating to traditional knowledge. The law also protects
cultural, religious and spiritual property.
47.
The Finnish Saami Language Act regulates the right of the Saami to use their own
language before courts and other authorities. The Act also obligates public authorities to
realize and promote the linguistic rights of the Saami.
48.
In Trinidad and Tobago, in 2011, the Government approved 25 acres of land for the
creation of an Amerindian Heritage Village to protect Amerindian culture and traditions.
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