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Developing Countries: Languages

Volume 495: debated on Wednesday 1 July 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had on the promotion of regional languages in developing countries. (282317)

I have been asked to reply.

As the Government Department responsible for policy on international human rights, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office encourages governments to protect the rights of all their citizens, including those belonging to minorities. We regularly raise the situation of those belonging to minorities in countries where we judge that protection of their rights is lacking. Our approach is guided in particular by Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.