STATEMENT by President of the Sámi Parliament in Norway, Silje Karine Muotka
UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 15th Session
Item 7: International Decade of Indigenous Languages
4 July 2022
Giitu ságadoalli – Thank you Chair,
I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Sámi Parliaments in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
Language is one of our basic skills. Our language starts developing from the day we are born and follows us throughout life. Through languages we communicate, express our feelings, thoughts, and dreams. With language we interact with others and understand the world around us. Language is pivotal in developing our identity.
The fact that most of the endangered languages are Indigenous Peoples’ languages, puts cultures and knowledge systems at risk. Saving Indigenous Peoples’ languages is a matter of great urgency and is crucial to ensuring the protection of the cultural identity and dignity of Indigenous Peoples.
Mr./Ms. Chair,
On the occasion of the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples’ Languages, The Sámi parliaments in Norway, Sweden and Finland are cooperating on a joint Sámi flag-ship project in language technologies, with the purpose on strengthening the position of the Sámi languages, and to decolonize the digital landscape.
As we know, Language technologies are now advancing at a rapid pace and widely spreading. Language technology is probably one of the most important elements in the work of getting more active language users. This is also a key in transferring Indigenous Peoples’ languages to the next generations.
However, the situation is very different across the worlds’ languages. While the infinite opportunities of language technologies exist for some languages, Indigenous Peoples’ languages do not have the same opportunities and conditions for keeping pace with technological developments. This creates a digital divide, which places languages in danger of digital extinction.
Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that Indigenous Peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their languages, oral traditions, writing systems and literatures. Further, it provides that States shall take effective measures to protect this right, including through interpretation in political, legal and administrative proceedings.
It is vital for the survival of Indigenous Peoples’ languages, that they are given the possibility to benefit from the full range of language technologies. It will require measures from states, the big techs, and international organizations. It is crucial that states and other actors, in their work with the decade, consult Indigenous Peoples in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent.
Ollu giitu – Thank you for your attention.
STATEMENT by President of the Sámi Parliament in Norway, Silje Karine Muotka
UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 15th Session
Item 6: County engagement
5 July 2022
Giitu ságadoalli – Thank you Chair,
I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Sámi Parliaments in Norway.
We refer to the information provided by the Saami Council on the country engagement invitation of Norway, and that Norway has acknowledged the country invitation. The Sami Parliament in Norway welcomes the country engagement of Norway and looks forward to take part in planning of the engagement.
In Norway the Sami People experiences that the rights and land areas of the Sámi in Norway are being subjected to ever increasing pressures. The public and private sectors alike have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to respecting our human rights and the Sami’s right to self-determination.
Despite of legally binding procedures for consultations, we still face many unresolved issues that entail an elevated level of conflict due to constant encroachments on the Sámi People’s land and water.
I will use this opportunity to inform the Expert Mechanism about one example, namely the the Fosen-case. The Fosen-case is one of the largest wind industrial facilities in northern part of Europe. The wind power plants are established in the recognized Sámi reindeer grazing area, without the free, prior, and informed consent from the affected Sámi reindeer herders, and without consent of the Sami Parliament in Norway.
The case was brought up to the courts in Norway by the affected Sámi reindeer herders. The Norwegian Supreme Court came with their unanimous judgment last year. The conclusion in the judgment is that the license issued by the Government of Norway is invalid and violates the Sámi reindeer herders' right to enjoy their own culture, according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights article 27. Nonetheless, the wind power project is still operating at full speed, without a valid license.
By way of conclusion, I would mention that the Norwegian National Human Rights Institution's annual report includes a reference to the Fosen-case. It is cited as an example of the need for closer government regulation to prevent excessive negative effects on Sami culture and livelihoods. Closer regulation could mitigate the risk of overstepping on the part of licensees and authorities, preventing the potentially formidable human and economic consequences.
Ollu giitu – Thank you for your attention.