OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Cristoph Camp emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of national minorities in the context of the 60th anniversary of the International Covenants on Human Rights and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
He paid particular attention to the interrelationship between equality, the indivisibility of human rights, and inclusive development, noting that the protection of cultural and linguistic identity must be accompanied by ensuring equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and participation in public and economic life.
Cristoph Camp noted that the exclusion of certain groups from development processes can become a source of social tension, whereas inclusive development—which entails the participation of all societal groups and the equitable distribution of its benefits—is a key factor in conflict prevention. He also highlighted the role of Central Asia as a region with a historically established diversity of languages, cultures, and communities, as well as the importance of interstate cooperation in this area.
The issue of multilingual and multicultural education featured prominently in the address. The High Commissioner noted the OSCE’s long-standing work with Central Asian countries in this regard and emphasized that the opportunity to study one’s native language alongside the state language fosters the full participation of members of various communities in public and economic life.
"Equality does not mean uniformity: a society becomes stronger when it protects and engages its minority communities."
Press Service of the National Center of the
Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights