The special rapporteurs have raised concerns over recent legislative changes in Estonia that seem to impose mandatory transition to Estonian-language education for all preschool and school institutions, including those operating in minority languages or bilingual setups.
A group of UN human rights experts has voiced serious apprehension regarding new legislation that seems to ban minority language education in Estonia.
The UN experts have raised concerns over recent legislative changes in Estonia that seem to impose mandatory transition to Estonian-language education for all preschool and school institutions, including those operating in minority languages or bilingual setups.
The “Act on Amendments to the Basic School and Gymnasium Act and Other Acts (Transition to Estonian-Language Education)” was passed by the Estonian Parliament on Dec. 12, 2022. The legislation introduced measures that could be seen as restrictive and discriminatory, impacting the rights of ethnic and linguistic minorities in education, according to the UN human rights experts.
Reportedly, the legislation permits “language and cultural studies” for minority children whose mother tongue or native language is not Estonian, but only under specific conditions, as part of these designated classes and for a limited duration.
The UN experts are particularly worried about the potential impact of the new provisions on members of the Russian linguistic minority, which constitutes a significant portion of the population.
There have been reports of the closure of several Russian-language schools in recent years, despite protests from Russian-speaking parents and students.
The UN experts contend that the newly enacted law in Estonia significantly curtails minority language education, a move that contradicts international human rights agreements. They have engaged with the Estonian government to address these concerns.
The UN experts, including Fernand de Varennes, special rapporteur on minority issues; Alexandra Xanthak, special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; and Farida Shahee, special rapporteur on education, are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. These experts operate independently on a voluntary basis and are not associated with any government or organization.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has countered the perspective of United Nations special rapporteurs, who suggest that a shift towards Estonian-language education could infringe upon the rights of ethnic minorities.
In a statement distributed by the Estonian Foreign Ministry, Tsahkna expressed his disagreement with this view. He emphasized that Estonia has long been preparing for the transition to Estonian-language instruction in schools to ensure all children, regardless of their native language, have access to high-quality education. This transition aims to provide equal employment opportunities and enhance societal cohesion.
