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Kurdish Human Rights Project: This is the legacy website of the Kurdish Human Rights Project, containing reports and news pertaining to human rights issues in the Kurdish Regions for 20 years.

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KHRP Publishes Briefing Paper on Mother-Tongue Education in the Kurdish Regions

KHRP today publishes a briefing paper entitled Culture and Language Rights – Mother-Tongue Education in the Kurdish Regions.  The paper concludes that mother-tongue education, which in itself may be regarded as a fundamental right under international law, is not adequately recognised, protected or promoted in the Kurdish regions, serving as a barrier to conflict resolution in that area.  The paper provides a comparative legal and practical overview of the use of mother-tongue education in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey today and makes some key recommendations for governments, civil society organisations and the international community on how to resolve the outstanding issues.

The use of mother-tongue languages is an essential means for minority groups to express their cultural identity.  The enjoyment of this right in schools and universities, both as the language of instruction and as an academic discipline, is vital to protect and promote this aim.

KHRP’s Managing Director, Rachel Bernu said,

“The recommendations in this briefing paper highlight practical and practicable ways to resolve a bedrock human rights issue that has a direct impact on the development and stability of the Kurdish regions.  We hope that on its reading, policy makers and influencers will consider the relatively simple steps offered as a pathway to change.’'

Click here to download the full paper.