The European Charter, a 1992 treaty of the Council of Europe, aims to protect and promote regional and minority languages. The Charter provides for various levels of protection. Part II offers general protection for a language. Under this provision, a state commits, among other things, to removing barriers to the use of the language. Part III goes further and contains concrete measures for the protection and promotion of a language in various areas, including education, the judiciary, government, the media, culture, and socioeconomic life.
For Bonaire, the more extensive recognition under Part III was chosen. This not only protects Papiamentu but also actively promotes the use and development of the language. Specific provisions from Part III have been declared applicable to Bonaire, including in the areas of education, the legal system, administrative procedures, media, and culture.
In addition, on July 1, 2024, Papiamentu was recognized in the European part of the Netherlands under Part II of the Charter. This means that there are different forms of recognition for Papiamentu: on Bonaire under Part III and in the European Netherlands under Part II.
This recognition underscores the importance of Papiamentu as a living language and as part of Bonaire’s cultural identity. It also provides an important foundation for future language policy and for the preservation of the language for current and future generations.
For more information:
https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/f8a7cedf-eaa4-417d-98dd-4190ae92e9f1/file
