Original scientific paper

Equal Official Use of the Language and Script of National Minorities: Sources of National and International Law

Antonija Petričušić ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law

Abstract

This paper presents sources of national and international law guaranteeing the right to equal official use of the language and script of national minorities. These sources, among other things, lay down the right to use a minority language when addressing government bodies and to put up public signs in a minority language and script. The exercise of these rights is, however, subject to certain restrictions: for this requirement to be in compliance with actual needs or for the minority to have sufficient interest in it, the minority will have had to have been residing in that territory for generations and or in significant numbers. Further, national and international sources of minority law indicate that minority languages and scripts should be used in public places in a manner that will not lead to further segregation between different ethic minorities, but contribute to the development of understanding, solidarity, tolerance and dialogue among them.

Keywords

rights of minorities; language and script of national minorities; equal official use of language and script of national minorities; preservation of cultural identity of minorities

Hrčak ID:

129495

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/129495

Publication date:

18.4.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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