The interplay between human rights and translation in multilingual newborn Kosovo

Abstract

Translation and Interpretation have generally been overlooked in International Human Rights Law, yet if there exists the right to use language in private and public spheres, this needs to be facilitated through provision of translation and interpretation. Conceptualising the right to translation and interpretation within the framework of linguistic human rights, translation and interpretation are instrumental in the fulfilment of a number of human rights, including rights to a fair trial, language, education, and participation. This thesis explores the human rights implicated in the provision of translation and interpretation in the specific context of Kosovo: a unique multilingual and political context in which the international community has nurtured the protection and promotion of national minorities. To analyse the interplay between translation and human rights this thesis applies the 4-A analytical framework (availability, accessibility, acceptability, adaptability), which has been developed in other fields of human rights particularly in relation to the provision of public services, including in relation to the right to education, the right to adequate housing or the right to water and sanitation. The thesis concludes that language assistance proves to have key instrumental and practical importance for safeguarding human rights and promoting tolerance in multicultural societies.