Tóth Károly (szerk.): Nyelvi jogok. A kisebbségi és nyelvi jogok helyzete Szlovákiában. I. Jogsegélyszolgálat 2009-2011 - Nyelvi jogok 1. (Somorja, 2013)
Kisebbségi nyelvhasználati törvény
THOMAS HAMMARBERG ET-FŐBIZTOS LEVELE -2010. 01. 25. Language rights of national minorities must be respected - their denial undermines human rights and causes inter-communal tensions Language rights have become an issue of contention within several European countries, and as a consequence also between neighbouring states. While some governments take steps to strengthen the standing of the official language, national minorities are concerned that their linguistic rights are being undermined. The spelling of personal names on passports, the displaying of street names and other topographical indications, the language used in schools, the language requirements when communicating with the authorities and the possibility to establish minority media - such issues are again being raised by minority representatives in several European countries. The redrawing of the political map in Europe over the past twenty years has in some places made these problems more acute. Also, emerging nationalistic tendencies - combined with confusion and insecurity about “national identity" - appear to have encouraged extremists to promote a xenophobic discourse against minority interests. This is an area in which mature political leadership is particularly needed. Language is an essential tool for social organisation, including for the very functioning of the state. However, language is also a central dimension of individual identity on a personal level, and is often especially important for those in a minority position. Disputes have arisen in some countries where the status of the state language has been perceived as threatened in regions where minorities are strongly present in number and perhaps also in politics. An argument for the controversial amendments last year to the Law on State Language in Slovakia was the importance of ensuring that Slovak-only speakers would be able to understand all official communications, even when residing in areas primarily populated by the Hungarian minority. Minorities, primarily the Hungarian population, found the proposed law changes discriminatory, reacted strongly against the introduction of sanctions for non-respect of the language law and felt that the minority languages needed better legal protection. This discussion also affected Slovak-Hungarian relations. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities became engaged in resolving this dispute. Moreover, the government in Bratislava took the wise decision to refer the amended law to the Venice Commission for comment. There are therefore good prospects for a rights-based solution. 469
