The European Parliament asks the European Commission to ensure the linguistic rights of students
The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to act to ensure the rights of Spanish-speaking students in Catalan schools. The report approved by the Committee on Petitions of the Eurochamber asks the European executive to open a dialogue with the member state to offer technical assistance and adopt measures to guarantee the fulfillment of the linguistic rights of Spanish-speaking students in bilingual communities .
Recommendations to guarantee students’ rights
The report condemns any form of hate speech and calls on regional authorities to monitor this unacceptable behavior and to punish the perpetrators. It also requests the establishment of a defense and protection protocol for people at risk, including families who resort to the judicial system. In addition, it calls on the Central Government and the Generalitat to help put an end to the violation of the fundamental rights of parents, children and families and to protect them.
Limitations of the language immersion system
The report notes that the language immersion system limits freedom of movement, as it prevents families who move to Catalonia from studying in Spanish, which affects their rights and options to look for work in their own country and , therefore, in the Union. In addition, he insists that teaching hours in Spanish cannot be equated with other subjects and that schools must offer students adequate opportunities to acquire a good command of both Catalan and Spanish.
