MEPS demand stronger protection of cultural diversity

In a resolution adopted with 524 votes in favour, 67 against and 103 abstentions, Parliament insisted that national and linguistic minorities in the EU are facing assimilation and are losing their languages, resulting in linguistic and cultural impoverishment.

. Parliament calls on the Commission to propose legal acts to address the issue, expressing its support for the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Minority Safepack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe’.

Acknowledging that member states are responsible for protecting minorities’ rights, MEPS asked for a common f ramework of minimum EU standards. They add that regional languages must be promoted, linguistic rights protected where more than one official language is in use, and language communities defended in accordance with fundamental rights.

The European Parliament added that positive action is needed in education, culture and public services, and to address the threat of extinction for some minority languages.