International scholars advocate for Tamazight recognition in European language charter

A significant academic conference held at Melilla's Hospital del Rey on January 17 brought together specialists from universities in Naples and Paris to discuss integrating Tamazight into the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The event coincided with Yennayer, the traditional Amazigh New Year celebrations.

The initiative seeks to establish Tamazight, an Afroasiatic language primarily spoken in Morocco's Middle Atlas region, as a recognized Spanish language within the European Charter. This proposal has generated debate, particularly since most of Melilla's Spanish population does not speak the language.

Approximately 3.6 million people speak Tamazight, with communities extending across Morocco, Algeria, and France. However, the Spanish association "Hablamos Español" expressed criticism of the event on social media platform X, suggesting that languages other than Spanish receive disproportionate promotion in the region.

Recent census data presented by Morocco's High Commissioner for Planning, Chakib Benmoussa, indicates that 25% of Moroccans speak Tamazight, while Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is spoken by 92% of the population. These official figures differ significantly from Amazigh associations' estimates, which suggest up to 85% of Morocco's 37 million residents speak Tamazight.

Morocco's government has demonstrated commitment to strengthening Tamazight's position. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch recently reinforced this stance during Yennayer celebrations in Agadir. The Ministry of Education has implemented ambitious expansion plans, with 1,860 specialized teachers currently instructing about 746,000 students across 16,529 classrooms. The ministry aims to achieve 50% coverage by 2025-2026 and expand from 1,803 to 12,000 primary schools by 2030.

Tamazight gained official status in Morocco's 2011 Constitution, following King Mohammed VI's landmark 2001 Ajdir speech recognizing it as fundamental to Moroccan culture. In 2023, Morocco officially designated Yennayer as a national holiday on January 14.

Activists note that while cultural celebrations receive support, challenges persist regarding economic inequality, environmental concerns, and political representation. Access to information and public services in Tamazight remains limited, despite international human rights conventions supporting language rights.

The Melilla conference represents ongoing regional efforts to secure greater recognition for minority languages, following similar initiatives throughout Spain where various communities seek co-official status for their local languages.