La révision de la Constitution de Roumanie concernant les langues des minorités nationales : un modèle à suivre

Abstract

The problem of the languages of national minorities in Romania •including the one regarding the revision of constitutional regulations in the field •is approached by the author in a vast perspective which concerns both the defence of the national language as well as the defence of the languages of the minorities. Also, these two categories of policies are considered within the scope of the democratisation of the Romanian society on the one hand and of the integration of the state in supernational structures, such as the European Council, the European Union etc. on the other hand. By analysing the two texts added to the Constitution at the time of its revision in 2003 in the light of similar texts of other European constitutions the author argues that the Romanian legislator has found appropriate means to associate two constitutional principles which appear to be in conflict: that of the consecration of the Romanian language as the official language of the country and the one regarding the linguistic rights of national minorities. In conclusion, the author argues that the regulation of the linguistic rights of the national minorities in Romania constitutes a model to be followed by other states. Viewed as ethnic groups with a long experience of co-existence, with common aspirations and values, the Romanians and the national minorities in Romania have succeeded to develop linguistic policies which make living together both possible and peaceful while orienting at the same time the social activity as a whole towards the accomplishment of the fundamental objectives of the unitary Romanian state.