The Celtic League have welcomed comments by the North Wales Chief Constable, Richard Brunstrom, which urged politicians to update the Welsh Language Act. Celtic League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, says in a letter to the Chief Constable (see below) "We hope that your comments will influence the debate so that the language rights of the Welsh people can be given all due respect and brought firmly into the twenty first century."

Speaking at the annual conference of Welsh language pressure group Cymuned, Mr Brunstrom said the 1993 Welsh Language Act was outdated.

Although there have been some, predictable, criticisms of the Chief Constables decision to speak out from Labour politicians most political parties and NGOs in Wales have applauded his decision to be forthright on the issue.

Responding to criticisms, Richard Brunstrom said that he had a duty as a senior police officer to make recommendations and suggestions to elected politicians about policies which would lead to more cohesion and less tension within communities.

(Text of Secretary General's letter):

"Richard Brunstrom Chief Constable North Wales Police Glan-y-Don Colwyn Bay Conwy LL29 8AW

Dear Richard Brunstrom

The Celtic League would like to applaud you on the stance that you have taken in voicing your views over the much needed reform of the 1993 Welsh Language Act, at the Cymuned conference on Saturday 14 th April.

The 1993 act is indeed outdated and a new act is now well overdue. We hope that your comments will influence the debate so that the language rights of the Welsh people can be given all due respect and brought firmly into the twenty first century.

Having been born and brought up in Wales myself, I firmly believe that the way to increase use and participation of Welsh is to make it possible for people to use the language in every sphere of life, should they choose to do so. For this to happen a language act is necessary that will compel employers and the commercial sector in general to develop a Welsh language policy and ways of engaging with the Welsh language community.

Cohesion within the community among its members is an important social objective and one that the Celtic League hopes will be achieved in all communities throughout all of the Celtic countries. By giving Welsh speaking people the right to equal status for their language, within their own communities, will ensure that tensions will be eliviated and rights levelled.

We are sure that your public support for a new language act will add to the pressure on the Welsh Assembly Government to build on previous legislation to give the Welsh speaking community and their supporters what they are looking for.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot"

See also Celtic News No:

2077 WELSH LANGUAGE ACT - PROTESTS CONTINUE - Jan 29, 2007

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

15/04/07

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