Minority Lives Matter! How can you help the Saami people?

It is undoubtable that memberships of the European Union, the institutions of the EU as well as the harmonisation of laws have brought positive changes for the minorities of the member states in many areas. However, there is still a lot to achieve, especially in Sweden, where one of the most exciting and unique cultures in Europe is fighting their desperate battle to survive every day right in front of our very eyes. A new European Union initiative has been made to help the Saami preserve their identity for centuries.

How does one become a minority?

Until now EU laws have only considered those groups minorities that are represented in lower numbers than the rest of the inhabitants, those who consist a nation. Nevertheless, EU laws have not been able to resolve a certain issue which caused minorities problems that slow them down and stop them from developing and thriving. Namely, in those areas where minorities are represented in large numbers, furthermore, they might consist the majority, why are they not entitled similar rights to the majority of the entire nation? And what is the situation with those minorities that don’t even have a mother country?

I’m talking about the Saami, who form a majority in certain regions. However, this incredibly fascinating small people which is common cultural treasure has never had the chance to form their own nation throughout history. Why couldn’t they live in a European Region whose principle is not based on territorial reduction but on the fact that the economic development is solely beneficial for the majority as well as for the minority.

Economy is a very important matter when it comes to the EU legislation mentioned in the introduction. A certain minority can live in the highest security if their access to resources of survival does not depend on the will of the majority, or the centralised institutions. Furthermore, the minority should not be forced to be dependent on the “mother nation” exclusively, which can often mean a system of relations that is a burden for both parties, thus resulting the disappearance of unique cultural characteristics, even if the aim is the direct opposite.

What do those say who launched this EU Initiative?

According to Székelys, who are a majority themselves within their territory of Székelyland in Romania, the European Union should create the institution of „National Regions”. This would mean that those territories that can be circumscribed geographically and a certain minority is represented as majority or has a large number of inhabitants should be recognised by the European Union. Those who live there should have autonomy from state institutions when it comes to using EU resources, developmental directions and so on.

As a result, the region of Sápmi (or at least its part that is in the EU member state of Sweden) would have access to EU resources by its own right, which resources could be used for aims and goals that are considered most important by those who live there in a significant number, the Saami; or at least in a way where the economic, cultural, educational and developmental aspects of the Finnish minority are not neglected or treated as secondary by the majority state institutions, which develop such projects.

The state and the majority that consists its nation, the Swedish, should receive this initiative positively, as a really bad scenario can be avoided this way. A scenario when one of the most ancient cultures minority disappears completely. Based on the principle that economic development is the fundamental interest of not only the minority but also the state and its majority nation, that the opportunity of growth can be the secret of eternal peace, a citizen who thinks responsibly using European parameters can do no other but sign the EU initiative about National Regions, which you can do here. For further information, please visit the initiative’s website or see our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channel.

(Nethuszár)

More articles:

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Minority lives matter – sign it Europe!

Nethuszár