Post by cjm on Jul 17, 2016 17:31:27 GMT
Beskerming van wit minderheidsregte in SA, met die klem op taal, godsdiens en kultuur
Die grondwet maak wel voorsiening vir beskerming teen individuele diskriminasie en beskerming van regte soos taal, godsdiens en kultuur, maar die bemagtigingsgolf wat daardeur spoel, saam met ‘n ongenaakbare, oordonderende swart meerderheid, maak dit grootliks ongedaan vanuit ‘n wit perspektief en veral vanuit ‘n Afrikaanse hoek. In wese kom dit daarop neer dat jy met moeite jou teen diskriminasie kan verset omdat wittes nie een van die groepe is wat geseën word met manna nie. Hoe kritiek jou persoonlike omstandighede dan ook is, as jy aan die wit groep behoort, is redding jou ontdaan.
Alle fundamentele regte (ook die wat verbandhou met Taal, Godsdiens en Kultuur) is onderworpe aan potensiële diskriminasie. Een sin in A 9(2) van die Grondwet verwater alle sulke regte:
To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.
Hierdie regstellende “measures” moet darem voldoen aan ‘n reeks vae vereistes (A 36) wat so wyd soos die Heer se genade is.
In die internasionale arena word baie gewag van minderhede en hul regte gemaak. Een van die groepe wat daarby baat is die Afrika-Amerikaners. Die vraag is of hier ‘n reddingsboei dobber.
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights van die VN bied ‘n oorsigtelike blik op die stand van minderheidsregte op die internasionale verhoog en ek volg hul uiteensetting, in die breë.
1. Wat is ‘n Mindergroep in Internasionale reg?
Ek gaan nie die kwessie van ‘n “minority group” uitvoerig uitlê nie en reken dat Afrikaanssprekende wittes kan kwalifiseer as so ‘n groep. Afrikaanssprekende bruines het waarskynlik sterker regte in dié verband, want hulle is boonop een van die minderheidsgroepe wat reggestel moet word. Hulle kan hul stem baie dikker maak as ons wat buite sig moet bly. Ook is hulle “indigenous” en kry sodoende nog ‘n stel regte by.
Daar is ‘n vereiste dat die “minority group” in ‘n “non-dominant” posisie moet wees (deel I.A). Hier is kans vir ‘n groot toutrekkery, maar behalwe vir ons “bevoorregte” ekonomiese posisie is ons andersyds aan die kortste end. Ek sou dink dat ons op vele tereine uitmuntend “non-dominant” is. Indien die “non-dominance” op hierdie vlakke sou voortduur, sal ons gereduseer word tot die vullishoop van die toekoms.
2. Die Internasionale regte van minderheidsgroepe.
Die regte van “minorities” wat hoofsaaklik ter sprake is, is (1) hul oorlewing en bestaan, (2) die beskerming en bevordering van hul identiteit, (3) gelykheid en nie-diskriminasie en (4) effektiewe en betekenisvolle deelname (Deel II, Inleiding).
(1) Oorlewing en bestaan
… any action for the protection of minorities should focus primarily on the
protection of the physical existence of persons belonging to minorities,
including protecting them from genocide and crimes against humanity.
The 2001 Durban Declaration affirms that “the ethnic, cultural, linguistic
and religious identity of minorities, where they exist, must be protected
and that persons belonging to such minorities should be treated
equally and enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms without
discrimination of any kind” (para. 66).
During conflicts, the physical integrity of persons belonging to minority
groups is of course at greatest risk and attention should be paid to ensuring
that minorities, including those displaced internally within their own country
or externally as refugees, have access to humanitarian aid and relief such
as food, shelter and health care.
…
Lack of respect for, lack of protection and lack of fulfilment of the rights of
minorities may be at least a contributing factor if not the primary cause of
displacement and may—in the worst cases—even lead to the extinction
of such communities. The displacement of minorities can thus serve as
an indicator of the degree to which their rights are respected, protected
and fulfilled in the country from which they are displaced. (Deel II.A).
Hier kan ‘n mens die verpreiding van wit Afrikaners oor die aardbol ophaal en die waarskynlikheid dat hulle as ‘n identifiseerbare groep (soos die wit Rhodesiërs) oorsee gaan verdwyn – niks anders as kulturêle massamoord nie.
(2) Die beskerming en bevordering van hul identiteit
Central to the rights of minorities are the promotion and protection of their
identity. Promoting and protecting their identity prevent forced assimilation
and the loss of cultures, religions and languages—the basis of the richness
of the world and therefore part of its heritage. Non-assimilation requires
diversity and plural identities to be not only tolerated but protected and
respected. Minority rights are about ensuring respect for distinctive
identities while ensuring that any differential treatment towards groups or
persons belonging to such groups does not mask discriminatory practices
and policies. Therefore, positive action is required to respect cultural,
religious and linguistic diversity, and acknowledge that minorities enrich
society through this diversity.
[my klem]
Minderhede het dus ‘n reg om nie gedwing te word om te assimileer nie. Hulle het ook ‘n reg op die behoud van hul kultuur, godsdiens en taal. Dit is baie moontlik dat selfs indien ekonomies sterk, hulle gestroop kan word van identiteit, taal, kultuur en godsdiens, omdat hulle nie verteenwoordig word op die liggame wat hierdie aangeleenthede reguleer nie. Dit kan ook wees dat ten spyte van verteenwoordiging, besluite teen hul wil deurgevoer word wat hul identiteit stroop.
(3) Gelykheid en nie-diskriminasie
Soos reeds opgemerk, regverdig die grondwet diskriminasie teen wittes op grond van die verlede.
Vir hierdie tipe situasie word op Internasionale vlak in die International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (II.C) uitdruklik voorsiening gemaak.
Hieruit ly ek af dat minderheidsregte apart staan van maatreëls (wat in elk geval slegs tydelik behoort te wees) om die verlede se nalatingskap aan te spreek. Minderhede en hul taal, kultuur en godsdiens kan dus nie opgeoffer word op die altaar van regstelling nie. Daardie regte is onafhanklik van sosiale eksperimente en afdwingbaar sonder inagneming van sodanige eksperimente.
(4) Effektiewe en betekenisvolle deelname
The participation of persons belonging to minorities in public affairs and
in all aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life of the
country where they live is in fact essential to preserving their identity and
combating social exclusion. Mechanisms are required to ensure that the
diversity of society with regard to minority groups is reflected in public
institutions, such as national parliaments, the civil service sector, including
the police and the judiciary, and that persons belonging to minorities are
adequately represented, consulted and have a voice in decisions which
affect them or the territories and regions in which they live. Participation
must be meaningful and not merely symbolic, and recognize, for instance,
that minorities are commonly underrepresented and that their concerns
may not be adequately addressed. The participation of women belonging
to minorities is of particular concern (II.D).
Na aanleiding hiervan sou ‘n mens verwag dat wit Afrikaner verteenwoordiging op alle openbare besluitnemingsvlakke ‘n vereiste is. Dit is ook nie genoegsaam dat blote lippetaal aan verteenwoordiging bewys word nie. ‘n Probleem hier is dat wit Afrikaners wat wel inspraak in besluitneming het, dikwels die Afrikaner se grootste vyand is.
For the participation of persons belonging to minorities to be effective,
it is not sufficient for States to ensure their formal participation;
States must also ensure that the participation of representatives of minorities
has a substantial influence on the decisions which are taken, so that there
is, as far as possible, shared ownership of these decisions.
3. Die afdwing van Internasionale minderheidsregte.
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights van die VN se mededelings oor minderhede en hul regte is gebaseer op ‘n aantal VN-gedrewe besluite en verdrae. Die mees omvattende dokument is Besluit 47/135 aangeneem in 1992 deur die Algemene Vergadering “without vote” [dit is ‘n soort eenparige aanneming deur al die lidlande, wat SA insluit]
Besluite van die Algemene Vergadering, met betrekking tot die kwessies (par 5) hier geopper, het tegnies gesproke, nie formele regskrag nie. Gegewe dat die besluit eenparig was, moet dit darem ‘n morele oorreding van ‘n soort hê en kan as onderskraging dien vir die bestaan van regsreëls tot dien effek.
[Sien ook Akehurst: Modern introduction to International Law (2nd ed), Allen & Unwin , p257. ]
Vir wit Afrikaners is sekere klousules in die gemelde Algemene Vergadering besluit onder heersende omstandighede van waarde:
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights wys in hul algemene uiteensetting (III.A) ook op Artikel 27 van die International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (deur SA geratifiseer):
27. In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist,
persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community
with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess
and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.
This article protects the rights of persons belonging to minorities to their
national, ethnic, religious or linguistic identity, or a combination thereof,
and to preserve the characteristics which they wish to maintain and develop.
Although it refers to the rights of minorities in those States in which they
exist, its applicability is not subject to official recognition of a minority by
a State. States that have ratified the Covenant are obliged to ensure that
all individuals under their jurisdiction enjoy their rights; this may require
specific action to correct inequalities to which minorities are subjected.
The Human Rights Committee’s general comment No. 23 (1994) on
the rights of minorities provides an authoritative interpretation of article
27. The Committee stated that “this article establishes and recognizes a
right which is conferred on individuals belonging to minority groups and
which is distinct from, and additional to, all the other rights which, as
individuals in common with everyone else, they are already entitled to
enjoy under the Covenant.” The right under article 27 is an autonomous
one within the Covenant. The interpretation of its scope of application by
the Human Rights Committee has had the effect of ensuring recognition of
the existence of diverse groups within a State and of the fact that decisions
on such recognition are not the province of the State alone, and that
positive measures by States may be “necessary to protect the identity of a
minority and the rights of its members to enjoy and develop their culture
and language and to practise their religion, in community with the other
members of the group.
Dan is daar die International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights geratifiseer deur SA. Sommige tersaaklike bepalings veral in die lig van Solidariteit se gedeeltelike Grondwetlike Hof oorwinning oor regstellende bepalings:
Article 7
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the
enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure, in particular:
...
(c) Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his employment to an appropriate
higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and competence;
...
Die volgende aanhaling uit die verdrag laat ‘n mens wonder oor regstellende aksie op die jeug van minderheidsgroepe.
Article 10
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that:
1. The widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to the
family, which is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, particularly
for its establishment and while it is responsible for the care and education of
dependent children. Marriage must be entered into with the free consent of
the intending spouses.
...
3. Special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of
all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage
or other conditions. Children and young persons should be protected from economic
and social exploitation. Their employment in work harmful to their morals or health
or dangerous to life or likely to hamper their normal development should be
punishable by law. ...
[my klem]
Die Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage kon moontlik ‘n meganisme geskep het vir die bewaring en uitbou van Afrikaans. Die volgende bepalings gooi ‘n blik oor die verdrag:
SA is egter tans nie ‘n ondertekenaar van hierdie verdrag nie.
SA het wel die Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions wat ook moontlikhede bied om universiteite en Afrikaans te beskerm, geratifiseer.
Die oogmerke van die verdrag word daarin soos volg uiteengesit:
Article 1
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Convention are:
(a) to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions;
(b) to create the conditions for cultures to flourish and to freely interact in
a mutually beneficial manner;
(c) to encourage dialogue among cultures with a view to ensuring wider and
balanced cultural exchanges in the world in favour of intercultural respect
and a culture of peace;
(d) to foster interculturality in order to develop cultural interaction in the
spirit of building bridges among peoples;
(e) to promote respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and
raise awareness of its value at the local, national and international levels;
(f) to reaffirm the importance of the link between culture and development for
all countries, particularly for developing countries, and to support actions
undertaken nationally and internationally to secure recognition of the true value of this link;
(g) to give recognition to the distinctive nature of cultural activities, goods and services
as vehicles of identity, values and meaning;
...
[my klem]
Die insleep van Engels by ‘n Afrikaansmedium-instelling is nie per se ongewens nie, maar wanneer dit Afrikaans vervang, is daar ‘n kulturele-verarming.
Sommige van die verdrae gemeld, maak voorsiening vir regstellende aksie, maar veral in die Forum on Minority Issues (15 and 16 December 2008) se verslag en aanbevelings word dit duidelik gemaak dat die bestaansreg en identiteit van minderhede nie geskend mag word deur spesiale maatreëls en regstellende aksie nie.
12. … The case of special measures or affirmative action should not be confused
with minority or indigenous rights to existence and identity that subsist as long as
the individuals and communities concerned desire the continued application of these
rights. Measures taken in the field of education for minorities should not constitute
a programme of coerced or artificial assimilation
…
14. Minorities have a right to participate in the life of the State and in decisions affecting them
and their children’s future. In the field of education, this right implies input by minorities into
the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of education programmes and the
administration of educational institutions. It also means that an alternative to mainstream
curricula may be considered in order to meet the needs, aspirations and priorities of minorities.
…
16. States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible, persons belonging to
minorities may have adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or to have instruction
in their mother tongue. These measures are most critical in preschool and primary schools, but
may extend to subsequent stages of education. School curricula must encourage knowledge
among all students of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing
within their territory and also ensure minorities adequate opportunities to gain knowledge of
the society as a whole.
17. In the field of education and minorities, there is a compelling need for accurate data that
are qualitative and quantitative, disaggregated by sex, race, ethnicity and disability status in
order to assess the necessary requirements in the development, institutionalization,
implementation and monitoring of targeted education policies. Data should also be gathered on
poverty status and on the access to education and progress of children who do not speak the
dominant language. Indicators and benchmarks are necessary for the accurate appraisal of
education policies, including assessments of the extent of discrimination against minorities and
the success or failure of policies to eliminate discrimination. Such data should include research
into causes of poor school enrolment and drop-out rates where applicable. Disaggregation of the
data according to sex will expose the barriers that prevent girls and women from accessing
education and learning. All data should be made accessible to the public on a regular basis.
18. Data-gathering exercises concerning minorities should take place in a culturally sensitive
manner, on a voluntary basis, with full respect for the privacy and anonymity of the individuals
concerned, and on the basis of their self-identification as members of groups concerned.
22. Budgetary policies are crucial to a State’s implementation of its obligations to respect,
protect and fulfil the educational rights of minorities. In the drafting of budgets for education in
the case of minorities, clear criteria that are tailored to the special needs of the minority group
are required. The costing and financing of education policies should be based on a holistic
appraisal of minority needs and on the basis of the State’s immediate and non-derogable
obligation to guarantee that the right to education will be exercised without discrimination and
on the basis of the principle of equal treatment. The principle of equal treatment entails the
allocation of extra resources and efforts to advance the right to education among minority groups
that have been victims of historical injustices or discrimination in realizing their right to
education.
…
25. Educational services should be arranged in order that they reach minority communities
throughout the national territory, and should be adequate to address the needs of such
communities. States must ensure that educational services for minorities are delivered at a
quality that is comparable with national standards
26. States should recognize that the adequate recruitment, training and incentivization of
teachers to work in areas inhabited predominantly by members of minorities are factors of
utmost importance in the delivery of adequate educational services, and should arrange teacher
training programmes accordingly.
27. State or local policies or practices that, de jure or de facto, result in separate classes or
schools for minority pupils, or schools or classes with grossly disproportionately high numbers
of minority pupils, on a discriminatory basis, are prohibited, except in limited and exceptional
circumstances. In particular, the misuse of psychological or learning ability tests for enrolment of
children in primary schools must be subjected to close scrutiny with respect to their potential to
engender discriminatory outcomes. The creation and development of classes and schools
providing education in minority languages should not be considered impermissible segregation,
if the assignment to such classes and schools is of a voluntary nature. However, where separate
educational institutions are established for minorities for linguistic, religious or cultural reasons,
no barriers should be erected to prevent members of minority groups from studying at general
educational institutions, should they or their families so wish.
…
28. Education should be available at all levels for minorities, from preschool to tertiary
education, as should technical and vocational education, on a basis of equality with other
learners.
30. Members of minorities must have realistic and effective access to quality educational
services, without discrimination, within the jurisdiction of the State. Accessibility has three
overlapping dimensions: non-discrimination on prohibited grounds; physical accessibility; and
economic accessibility
…
37. Resources should be sufficient to guarantee that the education of their children is a
financially viable proposition for minority families.
38. The impact of residential patterns on school enrolments should be carefully assessed and
addressed to avoid disparate social and educational outcomes. Authorities should pay attention
to the location of schools so that minority pupils are not disadvantaged with respect to physical
access to school buildings or the quality of educational outcomes.
…
47. States should strive to ensure that the school learning environment for members of
minorities is welcoming and receptive to their needs and concerns.
48. Systems of recording racist or similar incidents targeting minorities and policies to
eliminate such incidents should be developed in school systems.
…
58. States should provide adequate opportunities to persons belonging to minorities to learn
their mother tongue or to learn through the medium of the mother tongue, alternatives which
should not be understood as mutually exclusive. Specific forms of such opportunities should be
chosen in consultation with persons belonging to minorities and taking into account their freely
expressed wishes.
59. School language regimes for the initial stages of education in State schools should ideally
employ the language of the child as the predominant medium of instruction, with a gradual
introduction of the State language or dominant local language, if different from that of the child,
at a later stage, where possible by bilingual teachers sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of
minority children.
…
60. Education should be able to adapt to the situation of changing societies and communities
and be responsive to the needs of students in diverse social and cultural settings. A diversity of
learning systems should be considered so that quality formal and non-formal education that is
contextualized, culture specific and relevant with in an integrated system of education may be
delivered.
61. Curricula should adequately reflect the diversity and plurality of society and the
contribution of minorities to society.
62. Curricula should promote the preservation and defence of minority languages, and identify
and equip members of minorities with the educational tools necessary for their full participation
in the society concerned.
63. Curricula relating to minorities should be developed in cooperation with bodies
representative of minorities, and members of minority groups should, ideally, be in positions of
influence in education ministries or other authorities deciding upon curricula
65. The promotion of the cultural rights of minorities is necessary to further the fulfilment of
their educational rights. These rights include access to written, audio and visual media materials
in their own language in order to enrich the cultural lives of minorities. There must also be the
free exchange of books and other educational materials and access to universities run by
members of their national group in other States [natuurlik is daar geen ander sulke “States” nie,
wat die kwesbaarheid van Afrikaanse minderheidsgroepe onderstreep]
66. ... Educational curricula taught to non-minority groups within
the State should include materials designed to reduce stereotypes and racist attitudes towards
minorities.
67. Members of the general population should have the opportunity to learn minority
languages and thereby contribute to the strengthening of tolerance and cultural interchange
within the State.
[my klem]
Enkele finale opmerkings
Dit is duidelik dat die voortgesette bestaan van minderhede as selfstandige assosiasies en hul opvoeding in hul kultuur, taal en godsdiens hoog aangeslaan word. Die blote bestaan van regstellende aksie wat ter sprake mag wees, behoort nie hierdie regte aan te tas nie.
Dit is dus nie denkbaar dat Afrikaanse opvoedingsinstansies moet swig voor verengelsing aksies nie.
Indien hierdie instansies ekstra kapasiteit het, sou ‘n mens kon sê dat dit nood wat elders heers, tydelik te behoort help verlig. Dit behoort egter slegs tydelik te wees en die uitwissing van Universiteite as Afrikaanse instellings behoort nie ‘n moontlikheid te wees nie.
Die Afrikaanse opvoedkundige instellings is nie neutrale apparaat wat toevallig in Afrikaans bedryf word nie, maar integrale dele van die Afrikanerminderheidsgroep in SA (wat ook die bruin bevolking insluit).
Hierdie Internasionale Norme behoort so vertolk te word dat dit met ons grondwet harmoniseer.
‘n Mens kan hiervoor aanslutingspunte in die Grondwet vind wat die oorweging van Internasionale Reg en die versoening daarvan met statutêre reg vereis (A 39(b), 231, 232 en 233 van die Grondwet).
Die grondwet maak wel voorsiening vir beskerming teen individuele diskriminasie en beskerming van regte soos taal, godsdiens en kultuur, maar die bemagtigingsgolf wat daardeur spoel, saam met ‘n ongenaakbare, oordonderende swart meerderheid, maak dit grootliks ongedaan vanuit ‘n wit perspektief en veral vanuit ‘n Afrikaanse hoek. In wese kom dit daarop neer dat jy met moeite jou teen diskriminasie kan verset omdat wittes nie een van die groepe is wat geseën word met manna nie. Hoe kritiek jou persoonlike omstandighede dan ook is, as jy aan die wit groep behoort, is redding jou ontdaan.
Alle fundamentele regte (ook die wat verbandhou met Taal, Godsdiens en Kultuur) is onderworpe aan potensiële diskriminasie. Een sin in A 9(2) van die Grondwet verwater alle sulke regte:
To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.
Hierdie regstellende “measures” moet darem voldoen aan ‘n reeks vae vereistes (A 36) wat so wyd soos die Heer se genade is.
In die internasionale arena word baie gewag van minderhede en hul regte gemaak. Een van die groepe wat daarby baat is die Afrika-Amerikaners. Die vraag is of hier ‘n reddingsboei dobber.
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights van die VN bied ‘n oorsigtelike blik op die stand van minderheidsregte op die internasionale verhoog en ek volg hul uiteensetting, in die breë.
1. Wat is ‘n Mindergroep in Internasionale reg?
Ek gaan nie die kwessie van ‘n “minority group” uitvoerig uitlê nie en reken dat Afrikaanssprekende wittes kan kwalifiseer as so ‘n groep. Afrikaanssprekende bruines het waarskynlik sterker regte in dié verband, want hulle is boonop een van die minderheidsgroepe wat reggestel moet word. Hulle kan hul stem baie dikker maak as ons wat buite sig moet bly. Ook is hulle “indigenous” en kry sodoende nog ‘n stel regte by.
Daar is ‘n vereiste dat die “minority group” in ‘n “non-dominant” posisie moet wees (deel I.A). Hier is kans vir ‘n groot toutrekkery, maar behalwe vir ons “bevoorregte” ekonomiese posisie is ons andersyds aan die kortste end. Ek sou dink dat ons op vele tereine uitmuntend “non-dominant” is. Indien die “non-dominance” op hierdie vlakke sou voortduur, sal ons gereduseer word tot die vullishoop van die toekoms.
2. Die Internasionale regte van minderheidsgroepe.
Die regte van “minorities” wat hoofsaaklik ter sprake is, is (1) hul oorlewing en bestaan, (2) die beskerming en bevordering van hul identiteit, (3) gelykheid en nie-diskriminasie en (4) effektiewe en betekenisvolle deelname (Deel II, Inleiding).
(1) Oorlewing en bestaan
… any action for the protection of minorities should focus primarily on the
protection of the physical existence of persons belonging to minorities,
including protecting them from genocide and crimes against humanity.
The 2001 Durban Declaration affirms that “the ethnic, cultural, linguistic
and religious identity of minorities, where they exist, must be protected
and that persons belonging to such minorities should be treated
equally and enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms without
discrimination of any kind” (para. 66).
During conflicts, the physical integrity of persons belonging to minority
groups is of course at greatest risk and attention should be paid to ensuring
that minorities, including those displaced internally within their own country
or externally as refugees, have access to humanitarian aid and relief such
as food, shelter and health care.
…
Lack of respect for, lack of protection and lack of fulfilment of the rights of
minorities may be at least a contributing factor if not the primary cause of
displacement and may—in the worst cases—even lead to the extinction
of such communities. The displacement of minorities can thus serve as
an indicator of the degree to which their rights are respected, protected
and fulfilled in the country from which they are displaced. (Deel II.A).
Hier kan ‘n mens die verpreiding van wit Afrikaners oor die aardbol ophaal en die waarskynlikheid dat hulle as ‘n identifiseerbare groep (soos die wit Rhodesiërs) oorsee gaan verdwyn – niks anders as kulturêle massamoord nie.
(2) Die beskerming en bevordering van hul identiteit
Central to the rights of minorities are the promotion and protection of their
identity. Promoting and protecting their identity prevent forced assimilation
and the loss of cultures, religions and languages—the basis of the richness
of the world and therefore part of its heritage. Non-assimilation requires
diversity and plural identities to be not only tolerated but protected and
respected. Minority rights are about ensuring respect for distinctive
identities while ensuring that any differential treatment towards groups or
persons belonging to such groups does not mask discriminatory practices
and policies. Therefore, positive action is required to respect cultural,
religious and linguistic diversity, and acknowledge that minorities enrich
society through this diversity.
[my klem]
Minderhede het dus ‘n reg om nie gedwing te word om te assimileer nie. Hulle het ook ‘n reg op die behoud van hul kultuur, godsdiens en taal. Dit is baie moontlik dat selfs indien ekonomies sterk, hulle gestroop kan word van identiteit, taal, kultuur en godsdiens, omdat hulle nie verteenwoordig word op die liggame wat hierdie aangeleenthede reguleer nie. Dit kan ook wees dat ten spyte van verteenwoordiging, besluite teen hul wil deurgevoer word wat hul identiteit stroop.
(3) Gelykheid en nie-diskriminasie
Soos reeds opgemerk, regverdig die grondwet diskriminasie teen wittes op grond van die verlede.
Vir hierdie tipe situasie word op Internasionale vlak in die International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (II.C) uitdruklik voorsiening gemaak.
…
Differential treatment may be permissible if its objective is to overcome
past discrimination or address persisting inequalities. In fact, international
human rights law provides for the adoption of special measures in favour of
certain persons or groups for the purpose of eliminating discrimination and
achieving full equality, not only in law but also in practice.
…
The obligation to take special measures is distinct from the general
positive obligation of States parties to the Convention to secure human
rights and fundamental freedoms on a non-discriminatory basis to
persons and groups subject to their jurisdiction; this is a general
obligation flowing from the provisions of the Convention as a whole
and integral to all parts of the Convention. Special measures
should be appropriate to the situation to be remedied, be legitimate, be
necessary in a democratic society, respect the principles of fairness and
proportionality, and be temporary.
…
It is important to note that the Committee, in its general recommendation,
also specified that “special measures should not be confused with specific
rights pertaining to certain categories of person or community, such as, for
example the rights of persons belonging to minorities to enjoy their own
culture, profess and practise their own religion and use their own language
[...]. Such rights are permanent rights, recognized as such in human rights
instruments, including those adopted in the context of the United Nations
and its agencies. States parties should carefully observe distinctions
between special measures and permanent human rights in their law and
practice.
…
While the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination can contribute to successful integration
in societies, it is extremely important to ensure that integration is not
understood to mean, and does not lead to, forced assimilation into the
dominant culture. The implementation of the rights of persons belonging
to minorities has highlighted the need not only to understand and redress
inequality but also to accommodate difference and diversity. Special
measures to protect the existence and identity of minorities and encourage
conditions for the promotion of that identity, including through minority
language education, are to be distinguished from temporary special
measures. Special measures to protect minorities can be permanent.
The open-ended engagement of a State to ensure effective participation by
adopting special procedures resulting in the creation of institutions, and
making arrangements through which members of minorities are able to
make decisions, exercise legislative and administrative powers, and
develop their culture, constitutes the best approach to preventing conflicts.
In this regard, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
adopted general comment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to
take part in cultural life, which entails an obligation on States parties to
recognize, respect and protect minority cultures as an essential component
of the identity of the States themselves.
…
Individuals must not be subjected to discrimination for manifesting their
group identity. The importance of this principle is captured in the Commentary of
the Working Group on Minorities as follows: “Governments or persons
belonging to majorities are often tolerant of persons of other national or
ethnic origins until such time as the latter assert their own identity, language
and traditions. It is often only when they assert their rights as persons
belonging to a group that discrimination or persecution starts.”
…
The need to ensure that minorities are treated equally and enjoy human
rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination of any kind
was reiterated by the Durban Review Conference, which in its Outcome
Document “urges States to bolster measures to eliminate the barriers and
to broaden access to opportunities for greater and more meaningful
participation by [...] persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres
of society”.
[my klem]
Differential treatment may be permissible if its objective is to overcome
past discrimination or address persisting inequalities. In fact, international
human rights law provides for the adoption of special measures in favour of
certain persons or groups for the purpose of eliminating discrimination and
achieving full equality, not only in law but also in practice.
…
The obligation to take special measures is distinct from the general
positive obligation of States parties to the Convention to secure human
rights and fundamental freedoms on a non-discriminatory basis to
persons and groups subject to their jurisdiction; this is a general
obligation flowing from the provisions of the Convention as a whole
and integral to all parts of the Convention. Special measures
should be appropriate to the situation to be remedied, be legitimate, be
necessary in a democratic society, respect the principles of fairness and
proportionality, and be temporary.
…
It is important to note that the Committee, in its general recommendation,
also specified that “special measures should not be confused with specific
rights pertaining to certain categories of person or community, such as, for
example the rights of persons belonging to minorities to enjoy their own
culture, profess and practise their own religion and use their own language
[...]. Such rights are permanent rights, recognized as such in human rights
instruments, including those adopted in the context of the United Nations
and its agencies. States parties should carefully observe distinctions
between special measures and permanent human rights in their law and
practice.
…
While the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination can contribute to successful integration
in societies, it is extremely important to ensure that integration is not
understood to mean, and does not lead to, forced assimilation into the
dominant culture. The implementation of the rights of persons belonging
to minorities has highlighted the need not only to understand and redress
inequality but also to accommodate difference and diversity. Special
measures to protect the existence and identity of minorities and encourage
conditions for the promotion of that identity, including through minority
language education, are to be distinguished from temporary special
measures. Special measures to protect minorities can be permanent.
The open-ended engagement of a State to ensure effective participation by
adopting special procedures resulting in the creation of institutions, and
making arrangements through which members of minorities are able to
make decisions, exercise legislative and administrative powers, and
develop their culture, constitutes the best approach to preventing conflicts.
In this regard, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
adopted general comment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to
take part in cultural life, which entails an obligation on States parties to
recognize, respect and protect minority cultures as an essential component
of the identity of the States themselves.
…
Individuals must not be subjected to discrimination for manifesting their
group identity. The importance of this principle is captured in the Commentary of
the Working Group on Minorities as follows: “Governments or persons
belonging to majorities are often tolerant of persons of other national or
ethnic origins until such time as the latter assert their own identity, language
and traditions. It is often only when they assert their rights as persons
belonging to a group that discrimination or persecution starts.”
…
The need to ensure that minorities are treated equally and enjoy human
rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination of any kind
was reiterated by the Durban Review Conference, which in its Outcome
Document “urges States to bolster measures to eliminate the barriers and
to broaden access to opportunities for greater and more meaningful
participation by [...] persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres
of society”.
[my klem]
Hieruit ly ek af dat minderheidsregte apart staan van maatreëls (wat in elk geval slegs tydelik behoort te wees) om die verlede se nalatingskap aan te spreek. Minderhede en hul taal, kultuur en godsdiens kan dus nie opgeoffer word op die altaar van regstelling nie. Daardie regte is onafhanklik van sosiale eksperimente en afdwingbaar sonder inagneming van sodanige eksperimente.
(4) Effektiewe en betekenisvolle deelname
The participation of persons belonging to minorities in public affairs and
in all aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life of the
country where they live is in fact essential to preserving their identity and
combating social exclusion. Mechanisms are required to ensure that the
diversity of society with regard to minority groups is reflected in public
institutions, such as national parliaments, the civil service sector, including
the police and the judiciary, and that persons belonging to minorities are
adequately represented, consulted and have a voice in decisions which
affect them or the territories and regions in which they live. Participation
must be meaningful and not merely symbolic, and recognize, for instance,
that minorities are commonly underrepresented and that their concerns
may not be adequately addressed. The participation of women belonging
to minorities is of particular concern (II.D).
Na aanleiding hiervan sou ‘n mens verwag dat wit Afrikaner verteenwoordiging op alle openbare besluitnemingsvlakke ‘n vereiste is. Dit is ook nie genoegsaam dat blote lippetaal aan verteenwoordiging bewys word nie. ‘n Probleem hier is dat wit Afrikaners wat wel inspraak in besluitneming het, dikwels die Afrikaner se grootste vyand is.
For the participation of persons belonging to minorities to be effective,
it is not sufficient for States to ensure their formal participation;
States must also ensure that the participation of representatives of minorities
has a substantial influence on the decisions which are taken, so that there
is, as far as possible, shared ownership of these decisions.
3. Die afdwing van Internasionale minderheidsregte.
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights van die VN se mededelings oor minderhede en hul regte is gebaseer op ‘n aantal VN-gedrewe besluite en verdrae. Die mees omvattende dokument is Besluit 47/135 aangeneem in 1992 deur die Algemene Vergadering “without vote” [dit is ‘n soort eenparige aanneming deur al die lidlande, wat SA insluit]
Besluite van die Algemene Vergadering, met betrekking tot die kwessies (par 5) hier geopper, het tegnies gesproke, nie formele regskrag nie. Gegewe dat die besluit eenparig was, moet dit darem ‘n morele oorreding van ‘n soort hê en kan as onderskraging dien vir die bestaan van regsreëls tot dien effek.
[Sien ook Akehurst: Modern introduction to International Law (2nd ed), Allen & Unwin , p257. ]
Vir wit Afrikaners is sekere klousules in die gemelde Algemene Vergadering besluit onder heersende omstandighede van waarde:
Article 2
1. Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities (hereinafter referred to as persons belonging to minorities) have
the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own
religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and
without interference or any form of discrimination.
2. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively
in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life.
3. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate
effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional
level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which
they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation.
4. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to establish and maintain
their own associations.
...
Article 3
1. Persons belonging to minorities may exercise their rights, including
those set forth in the present Declaration, individually as well as in
community with other members of their group, without any discrimination.
2. No disadvantage shall result for any person belonging to a minority as
the consequence of the exercise or non-exercise of the rights set forth in the
present Declaration.
Article 4
1. States shall take measures where required to ensure that persons
belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all their human
rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full
equality before the law.
2. States shall take measures to create favourable conditions to enable
persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to
develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs, except
where specific practices are in violation of national law and contrary to
international standards.
3. States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible,
persons belonging to minorities may have adequate opportunities to
learn their mother tongue or to have instruction in their mother tongue.
4. States should, where appropriate, take measures in the field of
education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions,
language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory.
Persons belonging to minorities should have adequate opportunities to gain
knowledge of the society as a whole.
Article 5
1. National policies and programmes shall be planned and implemented with
due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities.
2. Programmes of cooperation and assistance among States should be planned
and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons
belonging to minorities.
[my klem]
1. Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities (hereinafter referred to as persons belonging to minorities) have
the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own
religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and
without interference or any form of discrimination.
2. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively
in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life.
3. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate
effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional
level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which
they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation.
4. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to establish and maintain
their own associations.
...
Article 3
1. Persons belonging to minorities may exercise their rights, including
those set forth in the present Declaration, individually as well as in
community with other members of their group, without any discrimination.
2. No disadvantage shall result for any person belonging to a minority as
the consequence of the exercise or non-exercise of the rights set forth in the
present Declaration.
Article 4
1. States shall take measures where required to ensure that persons
belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all their human
rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full
equality before the law.
2. States shall take measures to create favourable conditions to enable
persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to
develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs, except
where specific practices are in violation of national law and contrary to
international standards.
3. States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible,
persons belonging to minorities may have adequate opportunities to
learn their mother tongue or to have instruction in their mother tongue.
4. States should, where appropriate, take measures in the field of
education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions,
language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory.
Persons belonging to minorities should have adequate opportunities to gain
knowledge of the society as a whole.
Article 5
1. National policies and programmes shall be planned and implemented with
due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities.
2. Programmes of cooperation and assistance among States should be planned
and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons
belonging to minorities.
[my klem]
Die Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights wys in hul algemene uiteensetting (III.A) ook op Artikel 27 van die International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (deur SA geratifiseer):
27. In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist,
persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community
with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess
and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.
This article protects the rights of persons belonging to minorities to their
national, ethnic, religious or linguistic identity, or a combination thereof,
and to preserve the characteristics which they wish to maintain and develop.
Although it refers to the rights of minorities in those States in which they
exist, its applicability is not subject to official recognition of a minority by
a State. States that have ratified the Covenant are obliged to ensure that
all individuals under their jurisdiction enjoy their rights; this may require
specific action to correct inequalities to which minorities are subjected.
The Human Rights Committee’s general comment No. 23 (1994) on
the rights of minorities provides an authoritative interpretation of article
27. The Committee stated that “this article establishes and recognizes a
right which is conferred on individuals belonging to minority groups and
which is distinct from, and additional to, all the other rights which, as
individuals in common with everyone else, they are already entitled to
enjoy under the Covenant.” The right under article 27 is an autonomous
one within the Covenant. The interpretation of its scope of application by
the Human Rights Committee has had the effect of ensuring recognition of
the existence of diverse groups within a State and of the fact that decisions
on such recognition are not the province of the State alone, and that
positive measures by States may be “necessary to protect the identity of a
minority and the rights of its members to enjoy and develop their culture
and language and to practise their religion, in community with the other
members of the group.
Dan is daar die International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights geratifiseer deur SA. Sommige tersaaklike bepalings veral in die lig van Solidariteit se gedeeltelike Grondwetlike Hof oorwinning oor regstellende bepalings:
Article 7
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the
enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure, in particular:
...
(c) Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his employment to an appropriate
higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and competence;
...
Die volgende aanhaling uit die verdrag laat ‘n mens wonder oor regstellende aksie op die jeug van minderheidsgroepe.
Article 10
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that:
1. The widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to the
family, which is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, particularly
for its establishment and while it is responsible for the care and education of
dependent children. Marriage must be entered into with the free consent of
the intending spouses.
...
3. Special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of
all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage
or other conditions. Children and young persons should be protected from economic
and social exploitation. Their employment in work harmful to their morals or health
or dangerous to life or likely to hamper their normal development should be
punishable by law. ...
[my klem]
Die Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage kon moontlik ‘n meganisme geskep het vir die bewaring en uitbou van Afrikaans. Die volgende bepalings gooi ‘n blik oor die verdrag:
Article 1 – Purposes of the Convention
The purposes of this Convention are:
(a) to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage;
(b) to ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;
(c) to raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and of ensuring mutual appreciation thereof;
(d) to provide for international cooperation and assistance.
Article 2 – Definitions
For the purposes of this Convention,
1. The “intangible cultural heritage” means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. For the purposes of this Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.
2. The “intangible cultural heritage”, as defined in paragraph 1 above, is manifested inter alia in the following domains:
(a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
(b) performing arts;
(c) social practices, rituals and festive events;
(d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
(e) traditional craftsmanship.
3. “Safeguarding” means measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage, including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage.
[my klem]
The purposes of this Convention are:
(a) to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage;
(b) to ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;
(c) to raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and of ensuring mutual appreciation thereof;
(d) to provide for international cooperation and assistance.
Article 2 – Definitions
For the purposes of this Convention,
1. The “intangible cultural heritage” means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. For the purposes of this Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.
2. The “intangible cultural heritage”, as defined in paragraph 1 above, is manifested inter alia in the following domains:
(a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
(b) performing arts;
(c) social practices, rituals and festive events;
(d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
(e) traditional craftsmanship.
3. “Safeguarding” means measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage, including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage.
[my klem]
SA is egter tans nie ‘n ondertekenaar van hierdie verdrag nie.
SA het wel die Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions wat ook moontlikhede bied om universiteite en Afrikaans te beskerm, geratifiseer.
Die oogmerke van die verdrag word daarin soos volg uiteengesit:
Article 1
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Convention are:
(a) to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions;
(b) to create the conditions for cultures to flourish and to freely interact in
a mutually beneficial manner;
(c) to encourage dialogue among cultures with a view to ensuring wider and
balanced cultural exchanges in the world in favour of intercultural respect
and a culture of peace;
(d) to foster interculturality in order to develop cultural interaction in the
spirit of building bridges among peoples;
(e) to promote respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and
raise awareness of its value at the local, national and international levels;
(f) to reaffirm the importance of the link between culture and development for
all countries, particularly for developing countries, and to support actions
undertaken nationally and internationally to secure recognition of the true value of this link;
(g) to give recognition to the distinctive nature of cultural activities, goods and services
as vehicles of identity, values and meaning;
...
[my klem]
Die insleep van Engels by ‘n Afrikaansmedium-instelling is nie per se ongewens nie, maar wanneer dit Afrikaans vervang, is daar ‘n kulturele-verarming.
Sommige van die verdrae gemeld, maak voorsiening vir regstellende aksie, maar veral in die Forum on Minority Issues (15 and 16 December 2008) se verslag en aanbevelings word dit duidelik gemaak dat die bestaansreg en identiteit van minderhede nie geskend mag word deur spesiale maatreëls en regstellende aksie nie.
12. … The case of special measures or affirmative action should not be confused
with minority or indigenous rights to existence and identity that subsist as long as
the individuals and communities concerned desire the continued application of these
rights. Measures taken in the field of education for minorities should not constitute
a programme of coerced or artificial assimilation
…
14. Minorities have a right to participate in the life of the State and in decisions affecting them
and their children’s future. In the field of education, this right implies input by minorities into
the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of education programmes and the
administration of educational institutions. It also means that an alternative to mainstream
curricula may be considered in order to meet the needs, aspirations and priorities of minorities.
…
16. States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible, persons belonging to
minorities may have adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or to have instruction
in their mother tongue. These measures are most critical in preschool and primary schools, but
may extend to subsequent stages of education. School curricula must encourage knowledge
among all students of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing
within their territory and also ensure minorities adequate opportunities to gain knowledge of
the society as a whole.
17. In the field of education and minorities, there is a compelling need for accurate data that
are qualitative and quantitative, disaggregated by sex, race, ethnicity and disability status in
order to assess the necessary requirements in the development, institutionalization,
implementation and monitoring of targeted education policies. Data should also be gathered on
poverty status and on the access to education and progress of children who do not speak the
dominant language. Indicators and benchmarks are necessary for the accurate appraisal of
education policies, including assessments of the extent of discrimination against minorities and
the success or failure of policies to eliminate discrimination. Such data should include research
into causes of poor school enrolment and drop-out rates where applicable. Disaggregation of the
data according to sex will expose the barriers that prevent girls and women from accessing
education and learning. All data should be made accessible to the public on a regular basis.
18. Data-gathering exercises concerning minorities should take place in a culturally sensitive
manner, on a voluntary basis, with full respect for the privacy and anonymity of the individuals
concerned, and on the basis of their self-identification as members of groups concerned.
22. Budgetary policies are crucial to a State’s implementation of its obligations to respect,
protect and fulfil the educational rights of minorities. In the drafting of budgets for education in
the case of minorities, clear criteria that are tailored to the special needs of the minority group
are required. The costing and financing of education policies should be based on a holistic
appraisal of minority needs and on the basis of the State’s immediate and non-derogable
obligation to guarantee that the right to education will be exercised without discrimination and
on the basis of the principle of equal treatment. The principle of equal treatment entails the
allocation of extra resources and efforts to advance the right to education among minority groups
that have been victims of historical injustices or discrimination in realizing their right to
education.
…
25. Educational services should be arranged in order that they reach minority communities
throughout the national territory, and should be adequate to address the needs of such
communities. States must ensure that educational services for minorities are delivered at a
quality that is comparable with national standards
26. States should recognize that the adequate recruitment, training and incentivization of
teachers to work in areas inhabited predominantly by members of minorities are factors of
utmost importance in the delivery of adequate educational services, and should arrange teacher
training programmes accordingly.
27. State or local policies or practices that, de jure or de facto, result in separate classes or
schools for minority pupils, or schools or classes with grossly disproportionately high numbers
of minority pupils, on a discriminatory basis, are prohibited, except in limited and exceptional
circumstances. In particular, the misuse of psychological or learning ability tests for enrolment of
children in primary schools must be subjected to close scrutiny with respect to their potential to
engender discriminatory outcomes. The creation and development of classes and schools
providing education in minority languages should not be considered impermissible segregation,
if the assignment to such classes and schools is of a voluntary nature. However, where separate
educational institutions are established for minorities for linguistic, religious or cultural reasons,
no barriers should be erected to prevent members of minority groups from studying at general
educational institutions, should they or their families so wish.
…
28. Education should be available at all levels for minorities, from preschool to tertiary
education, as should technical and vocational education, on a basis of equality with other
learners.
30. Members of minorities must have realistic and effective access to quality educational
services, without discrimination, within the jurisdiction of the State. Accessibility has three
overlapping dimensions: non-discrimination on prohibited grounds; physical accessibility; and
economic accessibility
…
37. Resources should be sufficient to guarantee that the education of their children is a
financially viable proposition for minority families.
38. The impact of residential patterns on school enrolments should be carefully assessed and
addressed to avoid disparate social and educational outcomes. Authorities should pay attention
to the location of schools so that minority pupils are not disadvantaged with respect to physical
access to school buildings or the quality of educational outcomes.
…
47. States should strive to ensure that the school learning environment for members of
minorities is welcoming and receptive to their needs and concerns.
48. Systems of recording racist or similar incidents targeting minorities and policies to
eliminate such incidents should be developed in school systems.
…
58. States should provide adequate opportunities to persons belonging to minorities to learn
their mother tongue or to learn through the medium of the mother tongue, alternatives which
should not be understood as mutually exclusive. Specific forms of such opportunities should be
chosen in consultation with persons belonging to minorities and taking into account their freely
expressed wishes.
59. School language regimes for the initial stages of education in State schools should ideally
employ the language of the child as the predominant medium of instruction, with a gradual
introduction of the State language or dominant local language, if different from that of the child,
at a later stage, where possible by bilingual teachers sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of
minority children.
…
60. Education should be able to adapt to the situation of changing societies and communities
and be responsive to the needs of students in diverse social and cultural settings. A diversity of
learning systems should be considered so that quality formal and non-formal education that is
contextualized, culture specific and relevant with in an integrated system of education may be
delivered.
61. Curricula should adequately reflect the diversity and plurality of society and the
contribution of minorities to society.
62. Curricula should promote the preservation and defence of minority languages, and identify
and equip members of minorities with the educational tools necessary for their full participation
in the society concerned.
63. Curricula relating to minorities should be developed in cooperation with bodies
representative of minorities, and members of minority groups should, ideally, be in positions of
influence in education ministries or other authorities deciding upon curricula
65. The promotion of the cultural rights of minorities is necessary to further the fulfilment of
their educational rights. These rights include access to written, audio and visual media materials
in their own language in order to enrich the cultural lives of minorities. There must also be the
free exchange of books and other educational materials and access to universities run by
members of their national group in other States [natuurlik is daar geen ander sulke “States” nie,
wat die kwesbaarheid van Afrikaanse minderheidsgroepe onderstreep]
66. ... Educational curricula taught to non-minority groups within
the State should include materials designed to reduce stereotypes and racist attitudes towards
minorities.
67. Members of the general population should have the opportunity to learn minority
languages and thereby contribute to the strengthening of tolerance and cultural interchange
within the State.
[my klem]
Enkele finale opmerkings
Dit is duidelik dat die voortgesette bestaan van minderhede as selfstandige assosiasies en hul opvoeding in hul kultuur, taal en godsdiens hoog aangeslaan word. Die blote bestaan van regstellende aksie wat ter sprake mag wees, behoort nie hierdie regte aan te tas nie.
Dit is dus nie denkbaar dat Afrikaanse opvoedingsinstansies moet swig voor verengelsing aksies nie.
Indien hierdie instansies ekstra kapasiteit het, sou ‘n mens kon sê dat dit nood wat elders heers, tydelik te behoort help verlig. Dit behoort egter slegs tydelik te wees en die uitwissing van Universiteite as Afrikaanse instellings behoort nie ‘n moontlikheid te wees nie.
Die Afrikaanse opvoedkundige instellings is nie neutrale apparaat wat toevallig in Afrikaans bedryf word nie, maar integrale dele van die Afrikanerminderheidsgroep in SA (wat ook die bruin bevolking insluit).
Hierdie Internasionale Norme behoort so vertolk te word dat dit met ons grondwet harmoniseer.
‘n Mens kan hiervoor aanslutingspunte in die Grondwet vind wat die oorweging van Internasionale Reg en die versoening daarvan met statutêre reg vereis (A 39(b), 231, 232 en 233 van die Grondwet).