Cornish granted minority status within the UK
24 Apr 2014 03:56 PM
The government formally recognises the distinct
identity of Cornish people.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, today
(24 April 2014) announced that the proud history, unique culture, and
distinctive language of Cornwall will be fully recognised under European rules
for the protection of national minorities.
The
decision to recognise the unique identity of the Cornish, now affords them the
same status under the European Framework Convention for the Protection of
National Minorities as the UK’s other Celtic people, the Scots, the Welsh
and the Irish. For the first time the government has recognised the distinctive
culture and history of the Cornish.
Speaking on a visit to Bodmin, Cornwall, Danny Alexander
said:
Cornish people have a proud history and a distinct
identity. I am delighted that we have been able to officially recognise this
and afford the Cornish people the same status as other minorities in the
UK.
Today’s announcement builds on the
government’s continued commitment to Cornwall and the Cornish language.
The Cornish language has already been recognised under European rules for
minority languages. In March this year, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
announced that the government would be investing a further £120,000 into
the Cornish Language
Partnership (MAGA) to promote and develop the
language.
Communities Minister Stephen Williams
said:
This is a great day for the people of Cornwall who have
long campaigned for the distinctiveness and identity of the Cornish people to
be recognised officially.
The
Cornish and Welsh are the oldest peoples on this island and as a proud Welshman
I look forward to seeing Saint Piran’s flag flying with extra Celtic
pride on March 5 next year.
Further information
The
UK signed the Framework
Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in 1995 and
ratified it in 1998.
The
broad aims of the Framework Convention are to ensure that the signatory states
respect the rights of people belonging to national minorities, undertaking to
combat discrimination, promote equality, preserve and develop the culture and
identity of national minorities, guarantee certain freedoms in relation to
access to the media, minority languages and education and encourage the
participation of people belonging to national minorities in public
life.
The
government’s approach to the Framework Convention is to be modified to
recognise the unique position of the Cornish as a Celtic people within England.
It is without prejudice as to whether the Cornish meet the definition of
“racial group” under the Equality Act 2010, as
only the courts can rule on that.
The
Cornish language is the only language in England recognised under the Council
of Europe’s Charter for Regional or
Minority Languages. In March 2014, the government announced funding of
£120,000 to the Cornish
Language Partnership for the development and promotion of the Cornish
language. Since 2010 the government has provided over £500,000 to the
partnership. This payment which will sit alongside funds from Cornwall Council
and other funds raised locally by the partnership.