The International Protection of the Arabic Language in Light of Public International Law: Legal Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Main Article Content

Mohamed Fouad Mohamed Abdel-Majeed Othman

Abstract

This research aims to examine the international protection of the Arabic language in light of public international law, by analyzing the legal framework governing the status of Arabic in international organizations and treaties, and assessing the extent of its recognition as an official language within the United Nations system and regional bodies. The study also identifies the main challenges facing the language and explores future prospects for strengthening its legal and institutional presence internationally.


The importance of this research lies in the fact that the Arabic language is not merely a means of communication but represents one of the most significant elements of the cultural and civilizational identity of the Arab nation. It also serves as a vessel for knowledge and human values that have contributed to shaping global civilization. Nevertheless, the Arabic language faces increasing challenges in the context of globalization and linguistic, cultural, and technological dominance.


The study relies on a comparative analytical approach by examining international legal texts and relevant treaties, such as the United Nations Charter and UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. It also reviews the positions of international and regional organizations regarding Arabic as a working or official language. The research further investigates the reasons behind the weaknesses of national policies in supporting Arabic and proposes a set of legal and institutional mechanisms to enhance its status at both international and national levels.


The research concludes that the international protection of the Arabic language remains limited and fragmented, and that its enhancement requires the activation of cultural and linguistic international law instruments, as well as the adoption of supportive educational and technological policies that ensure the integration of Arabic into the global digital sphere, thereby consolidating its presence as a global language with established legal and cultural status

Article Details

How to Cite
Fouad Mohamed Abdel-Majeed Othman م. . . . (2026). The International Protection of the Arabic Language in Light of Public International Law: Legal Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects. MIsan Journal of Comparative Legal Studies, 15(1), 232–275. Retrieved from https://uomisan.edu.iq/law/mjcls/index.php/mjcls/article/view/549
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Articles

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