Comparative Linguistic Research

Comparative Linguistic Research

Examining the Government's Obligation to Provide Education in the Mother Tongue with Emphasis on the Practice of the European Court of Human Rights

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Parham Mehraram
Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
10.22084/rjhll.2025.31670.2409
Abstract
The demand for mother-tongue education is a highly contentious issue in Iran, often framed as a fundamental human right but lacking recognition in international human rights frameworks and global tribunal jurisprudence. Democratic nations adopt cautious judicial and educational policy approaches, driven not by bias but by concerns over adverse effects: erosion of individual autonomy for ethnic identity, educational segregation of children, challenges to minority integration, threats to socioeconomic advancement, and deepened linguistic-ethnic divides. The absence of clear international standards transforms this from a human rights issue into a complex political-legal debate. Effective policy-making must be context-driven, grounded in inclusive public dialogue, free from stereotypes, and attentive to all relevant factors to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes. Balanced solutions are crucial to address these challenges while promoting social cohesion.
Keywords
Mother-tongue Education
Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
Identity
Minority
Subjects