NATIONAL MINORITIES OF ARMENIA NEED PRESERVING AND SPREADING OF THEIR LANGUAGES

Arminfo
2010-03-24 15:44:00

Arminfo. Young representatives of national minorities, authorities
and civil society experts discussed today issues of equal rights,
equal opportunities for national minorities in Armenia focusing on
access to education in minority languages.

At this UN DPI-supported forum the participants also discussed the
specifics of implementation in Armenia of the European Charter for
Regional or Minority Languages, the Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities, and UN International Human Rights
Covenants and Conventions.

UN DPI Representative Maria Dotsenko said: "Despite the fact
that the national minorities seem to be well integrated into the
mainstream society and are enjoying equal rights with their fellow
ethnic Armenians, there are some sensitive issues connected to the
preservation or renaissance of their respective languages, specifics
of organization of the education on their ethnic languages, training
of teachers and supply of textbooks."

Mrs. Hranush Kharatyan, Head of Anthropology Chair of the State
University of Linguistics said: "Proper organization of education
requires not only enthusiasm and good will of communities, but
also support from the state, long-term planning and solid financial
investments."

Mrs. Hranush Kharatyan, Mr. Vigen Kocharyan, Head of European and
International Law Chair of Yerevan State University and Mr. Avetik
Ishkhanyan, the Chairman of Helsinki Committee in Armenia led the
discussion.

Other participants in the event were officials from the Ministries
of Education and Science, Youth Affairs and Sports, from Government
Staff Department of National Minorities and Religious Affairs, as
well as representatives from Human Rights Defender’s Office.