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Recent News
- Commission launches new disability complaints resource
- Commission heartened by public stand against homophobia
- NZTA changes gender identity policy for driver licences
- Powhiri for new Commissioner
- Update on Commission’s human rights analysis of Operation 8
- MORE NEWS
- Race Relations Commissioner says cartoons are offensive and stigmatising
- Samoan Language Week – speak your language
- Commission welcomes IPCA Operation 8 report
- Commission concerned new family carer legislation will compromise disability rights
- Future EEO Commissioner leaves Parliament
- Commission celebrates NZSL week
- United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture visits New Zealand
- Commission welcomes recommendations of Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety
- Statement from Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner
- Racism – Does it impact on Auckland as a diverse city?
- Anti-Chinese community leaflets and social media postings
- Organisational review clarifies strategic priorities for human rights
- Race Relations Commissioner awarded honorary doctorate
- Passing of Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill welcomed
- Dr Jackie Blue appointed Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner
- ALL NEWS
Important to protect and promote languages
The Commission has submitted to the study on the role of languages and culture by the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (EMRIP). The Commission says language and culture are indivisible, as language contains, and allows for the expression of culture.
The effective promotion and protection of languages requires four components:
- a clear strategy agreed between indigenous peoples and the State
- Indigenous community commitment and action
- State financial support and a legislative and institutional framework; including official recognition of indigenous languages
- wider community acceptance and recognition of the right to language.
It is important for National Human Rights Institutions to promote the right to language for indigenous people as an integral part of their general advocacy for human rights.
A draft of the Expert Mechanism’s study will be finalised in early April 2012 in preparation for the Expert Mechanism’s fifth session in July 2012. For further information on this study.
Read the Commission’s consultation paper on the role of languages and culture in the promotion and protection of the rights, and identity, of indigenous peoples (Word 90Kb).
