19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Item 7 – International Decade of Indigenous Languages 

Statement by the Sámi Parliament in Norway, by Governing Council Member Maren Benedicte N. Storslett, 16.07.2027

Chair,

I speak on behalf of the Sami Parliament in Norway.

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages is a global call to action, proclaimed by the UN, to address the critical loss of Indigenous Peoples languages. And to mobilize stakeholders to revitalize and uplift Indigenous Peoples languages. This Decade is an opportunity to ensure that our languages are preserved, revitalized, and passed on to future generations, in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

When the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on Right of Indigenous Peoples, proclaiming the period of 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, based on a recommendation by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. We must understand the decade in the context of the adoption of the resolution – a resolution named “the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.

Therefore, I must address a concerning trend that the term "Indigenous Languages", has been interpreted to include more than only Indigenous Peoples languages. 

The use of the term Indigenous Peoples in ways that do not align with the UNDRIP - contributes to violations of Indigenous Peoples' human rights and creates serious challenges for our ability to represent ourselves.  

This is a serious concern, which has been addressed by the Permanent Forum, EMRIP and the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples Rights in the Outcome document from February 26-28, 2024.

We urge EMRIP to advice relevant UN entities to uphold the same clarity.

The need to protect the status of Indigenous Peoples is not about weakening the interests of other groups - but about safeguarding the distinct history and rights of Indigenous Peoples.