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News | 04-07-2024 | 00:00
Speaking Papiamento is an important way for its speakers to express their identity and cultural wealth, so protecting Papiamento is of vital importance for present and future generations. The official recognition of Papiamento in the European Netherlands under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is an important milestone.
On March 11, 2021, the then Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations signed the Administrative Agreement on the Papiamentu Language in Bonaire with public entities in Bonaire, represented in part by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and the Secretary of State for the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The Administrative Agreement on the Papiamentu Language in Bonaire highlights that the Papiamentu language is under increasing pressure from other languages, which could ultimately lead to an unwelcome weakening of the language. The Administrative Agreement therefore paves the way for the recognition of the Papiamentu language in Bonaire and in the European Netherlands under the Charter.
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
The Charter is a convention of the Council of Europe for the protection of minority languages traditionally present within a national territory. Recognition under the Charter strengthens the status and position of the language. The Charter recognizes the value of Papiamento for the identity and cultural experience of its speakers.
Languages can be recognized under Part II or Part III of the Charter. Recognition under Part II protects languages in a broad sense and requires countries to remove legislative barriers to the use of a language. Languages recognized under Part III of the Charter should not only be protected but also actively promoted. Under Part III of the Charter, agreements must be reached on the use of a language in education, the legal system, governance, the media and culture, among other areas. In January this year, Papiamento was recognized in Bonaire under Part III of the European Charter. Children in Bonaire can now learn in Papiamento and Papiamento can be used in courts in Bonaire. In the European Netherlands, Papiamento has been recognized under Part II of the Charter since July 1. Today, on National Slavery Day, the decree was officially handed over to the Council of Europe following the opening of an exhibition on the history of slavery at the Palace of Europe. The exhibition, “Slavery: Ten True Stories of Slavery in the Dutch Colonial Period”, is organized by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Council of Europe. The opening ceremony, which was also attended by Bonaire public entities and the Papiamento Institute Foundation, was followed by the official handover of the decree to Björn Berger, Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission.
Tanja Gonggrijp, Permanent Representative of the European Commission:
“These personal stories reveal a story of dehumanisation but also a story of human dignity. This history shows us the importance of respecting and promoting equality and dignity for all people; it is the foundation of all human rights and at the heart of the Council of Europe’s work.”
Icelandic Commissioner Den Hel:
“Many consider Papiamento on Bonaire a living monument of cultural integration and the staying power of survivors of a dark chapter in human history. It goes without saying that for those born on or migrating from the island, Papiamento is an undeniable legacy, a cultural foundation, but above all, a favorite language of native speakers and diasporas. Let us remember that every language, no matter how small, is a cornerstone of our common human heritage. By protecting and celebrating endangered languages, we reaffirm our commitment to a Europe that values diversity, respects cultural differences and cherishes the countless voices that contribute to its narrative.”
Providing financial support to the Papiamentu people of Bonaire
To further accelerate the protection and promotion of the Papiamento language, the Minister of the Interior has allocated €1 million to support the implementation of the Bonaire Administrative Agreement on Papiamento following the signing of the Bonaire Administrative Agreement earlier this year. Bonaire public entities plan to use these funds to establish a language academy to support the implementation of the Bonaire Administrative Agreement on Papiamento.
For more information on recognised minority languages in the Netherlands, visit: What languages are recognized in the Netherlands? | Rijksoverheid.nl
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