Breizh/Brittany - France in denial on linguistic rights

The outcome of the first 'regional' language debate at the French
Parliament on Wednesday (7th May) was predictably disappointing and
the Government used it as an opportunity to reaffirm its authoritarian
position.

The hemicycle at the Assemblée Nationale, where the debate was held,
was predictably only a quarter full, as the following day (8th May)
was a public holiday in France and most representatives had already
returned to their home towns and cities to prepare for the coming
festivities. Nevertheless Culture Minister Christine Albanel was present
and even took part in the debate.

However, predictably Albanel said that she had no intention of signing
any European Charter on behalf of the Government on minority or regional
languages or doing anything to promote or protect the 'regional' languages
of France. The reasons she predictably gave for this was that for
France to officially recognise its 'regional' languages would be
unconstitutional.
She emphasised that to do this France would have to amend the current
Constitution and argued that this could not be done. In addition,
Albanel also insisted that if the 'regional' languages were officially
recognised everything would need to be translated and the costs for
this would be too high. What Albanel predictably failed to mention
is that the French Constitution is amended on a regular basis to accommodate
European laws and treaties and the French Government happily cover
the cost of translation from other state languages into French at
a EU level, even though some of these languages have far less speakers
than the unrecognised languages in the French state.

Not wanting to let the public down, Albanel promised 'un texte de
loi' (text of law) regarding the 'regional' languages, which will
predictably state that France's Constitution and its Republican principles
are the last point of reference for the 'regional' languages and sets
the limits. She reminded the Assemblée that current legislation and
regulations to not hinder the development of the 'regional' languages,
but she predictably failed to mention that it does nothing to help
them either.

Jeunes l'Union Démocratique Bretonne (UDB youth) political activist,
Gael Briand, was invited to take part in the televised debate, via
a live webcam link from his home in An Oriant/Lorient in Breizh/Brittany.
He was contacted by an employee of the LCB Assemblée Nationale TV
channel to take part in the debate after seeing Mr Briand's blogsite
and he was asked to be the 'Breton voice'. Speaking to the Celtic
League yesterday following his participation, Mr Briand said:

"I'm really not optimist about the fact France could sign the charter.
What a pity for France."

It is indeed disappointing for everyone that more wasn't made of this
unique opportunity to further the linguistic rights of all peoples
within the borders of France, by the French state.

The Celtic League and other campaigners will continue their struggle
with the French state and no matter how long it takes we will achieve
respect and recognition for the Breton language. We are undaunted
by the obduracy exhibited by the French establishment whose refusal
to grant parity of treatment to linguistic minorities is indicative
of fear not strength!

Links:

Gael Briand´s blogsite and his comment on the debate (in French):

http://lapolitiqueduchacal.over-blog.com/article-19381220.html

LCP Assemblee Nationale:

www.lcpan.fr.


See related articles in Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2601
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2561
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2422
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2176
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2144
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2082
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2074
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1613
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/997
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/648
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/108

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

09/05/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

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