Amendments to the Welsh Language Measure - historical vote for Assembly MembersCymdeithas yr Iaith has decided to postpone its period of direct action against the Government, which saw 6 members arrested last week, after an Assembly Memeber introduced an amendment to the Welsh Language Measure which would establish rights to the Welsh language.The campaign group have decided to halt direct action to give Assembly Members an opportunity to support the two amendments which have been tabled by Bethan Jenkins AM.Bethan Jenkins AM tabled an amendment which would mean rights for people to use the Welsh language, as well as an amendment giving the Welsh language official status without any conditions.The amendment on rights is supported by Gwion Lewis, barrister and author of Hawl i'r Gymraeg who has argued the cause for rights to use the Welsh language.Cymdeithas yr Iaith have campaigned for rights to use the Welsh language in services to be part of the Welsh language measure. Rights to the Welsh language was part of the One Wales agreement. Cymdeithas have accused the Government because the measure does not guarantee better Welsh language services in the future because the standards are decided by the minister of the day, not a principle which empowers people like rights.Ceri Phillips, from Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:"We congratulate Bethan Jenkins AM for introducing amendments which would transform Wales' linguistic landscape. If the Assembly votes for rights, this Measure could make a real difference to people's lives. It would mean people could expect Welsh language services instead of having to complain and opt in all the time. Official status and rights come hand in hand because rights is to do with the practical relationship between people and their language because of official status. This is why we have postponed our direct action while there is still hope of including status and rights in the measure. Without these key principles, this measure is lacking and shows lack of vision.""There is a historic opportunity for Assembly Members for the first time to ensure this will not be a measure which will follow the old British way of dealing with minority languages, but a measure which will give justice to people who are treated like second class citizens because they want to use or have access to the Welsh language. It is not a measure for Welsh speakers only but for all of the people of Wales. The language is a common inheritance to everybody who chooses Wales as their home. We plead on the backbench members to use their vote to offer a better future for the Welsh language and people in Wales. Not one Assembly Member can ignore the historic consequences of their vote. By voting for or against the amendments, Assembly Members will make their view clear. Our members, and the other hundreds who have taken part in the campaigning and giving evidence to the need for official status and rights will have their eyes fixed on the Senedd on Tuesday to see how the Assembly Members will vote."