Language minority rights: theory and practice in times of uncertain democracies

Language minority rights are a permanent subject of theoretical and practical interest. They are officially recognized as a special category of human rights by the international community. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, “Language rights and linguistic rights are human rights that have an impact on the language preferences or use of state authorities, individuals and other entities.” The basic principles of understanding and implementing them can be found in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 December 1992. These principles are (1) non-discrimination, (2) identity protection, (3) effective participation, and (4) state obligations and support. Accordingly, language minority rights are expected to be exercised in: (1) education, (2) administrative, health and other public services, (3) identity policies, (4) the area of justice, (5) media, (6) private activities, (6) the effective participation of minorities in public life.
Attitudes to language minority rights as human rights are changing dynamically in uncertain socio-political contexts of the XXI century. Consequently, continuous efforts are necessary to reassess the theory and practice of recognizing and supporting language minorities and their representatives.
The panel aims to discuss both theoretical and practical changes in the conceptualization and implementation of language minority rights. Special interest will be devoted to reflections on various aspects of identifying and ensuring this category of human rights. Attention will be given to papers that explore where, in which contexts, why, how, and to what extent they are currently contested or limited. Demonstrations of the current abuses of language minority rights as an idea and legal tool will be welcomed (i.e., ideologization, commercialization, weaponization of language minority rights). Last but not least, the panel focuses on the identity dimension of language-minority human rights (in both their individual and collective meanings).
The panel is a collaborative initiative of two Research Committees: RC50 (The Politics of Language) and RC26 (Human Rights). It should be seen as an opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers focused on language minority rights, their recognition, protection and promotion.