Protecting Translators and Interpreters

This has been a great week for translators and interpreters! On Wednesday, the United Nations adopted Resolution A/71/L.68, making September 30th International Translation Day. This historic resolution acknowledges the crucial contribution language professionals make to the United Nations.

International Translation Day is already being celebrated each year on September 30, but the UN’s formal establishment of this day raises additional awareness about the important role translators and interpreters play in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding, and development around the world.

UN Security Council

The following day, the United Nations Security Council debated on the topic of protecting civilians in conflict zones. H.E. Andrei Dapkiunas, Ambassador of Belarus to the United Nations, spoke up for translators and interpreters who work in high-risk settings. In his remarks, he asked the Council to consider translators and interpreters as a category of individuals who deserve special protection.

Linguists translate for journalists and the armed forces in conflict zones, assist organizations that deliver humanitarian aid, help ensure due process and justice in the courtroom, and aid peace negotiations. In doing so, they place their lives at risk and many of them are threatened, persecuted, prosecuted, incarcerated, kidnapped, and killed.

Red T

Red T has long been fighting for the protection of translators and interpreters in conflict zones and other adversarial settings. Together with the five major international language associations (AIIC, FIT, IAPTI, CLI and WASLI), the non-profit has been advocating for a UN resolution that will grant translators and interpreters specific protection under international law, and mandate that member states prosecute crimes perpetrated against them.

Yesterday’s Security Council debate was a step forward, and we are excited that the international community is developing greater awareness about this issue. We hope this will lead to the adoption of a formal resolution or other protective text that will safeguard all members of the profession. Maya Hess, Red T’s founder and CEO, dreams big and even hopes “for an Amendment to the Geneva Conventions that will strengthen protections for our profession, hopefully in my lifetime.”

At Eriksen, we are proud to support Red T’s mission to establish translators and interpreters as a global, impartial, and protected community.

Follow Red T on Twitter (@TheRedT) and read more about their advocacy on the Red T website.