News about the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Safeguarding Romani Language – A step forward towards harmonisation of Romani language in Europe
On the occasion of the International Romani Language Day, the Division of National Minorities and Minority Languages and the Roma and Travellers Division of the Council of Europe and the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) co-hosted the 5th edition the “Safeguarding Romani...
Slovenia: visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A delegation of the Committee of Experts is visiting Slovenia this week from 30 September - 4 October 2024 to evaluate progress made in the protection and promotion of regional and minority languages. The delegation is meeting with the representatives of the regional or minority languages...
Spain’s system to protect regional and minority languages is well developed but gaps persist in justice, healthcare and public administration
In an evaluation report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages concludes that while Spain has a well-developed system for the protection and promotion of its regional and minority languages, further efforts are...
Committee of Experts calls for measures to boost regional and minority languages in the UK
The Committe of Experts has urged the United Kingdom to adopt language strategies for Irish and Ulster Scots, in particular, and to strengthen the teaching of all regional or minority languages in the UK – including Cornish, Scots, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh – as well as Manx Gaelic on the Isle of...
Netherlands: ECRML protection extended to the Papiamento/u language in the European part of the Kingdom
On 1 July 2024, the Netherlands notified the Council of Europe of the extension of the protection of the Papiamento/Papiamentu language under Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On this occasion, a meeting took...
Report on implementation of recommendations for immediate action for regional and minority language use in Germany
In an evaluation adopted 20 June this year, the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages acknowledges legal and policy measures that have been taken by the German federal authorities and by the Länder to protect and promote regional or...
Netherlands: Examination of the implementation of the recommendations for immediate action
While acknowledging efforts of the authorities of the Netherlands to comply with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the evaluation by the Committee of Experts of the Implementation of the Recommendations for Immediate Action contained in the Committee’s seventh evaluation...
COMEX 79th plenary meeting
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages held its 79th plenary meeting on 17-21 June 2024 in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the Committee adopted the 6th evaluation report on the application of the Charter by Spain and the 6th evaluation report on the...
Cyprus: visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A delegation of the Committee of Experts is visiting Cyprus this week from 6-7 June 2024 to evaluate progress made in the protection and promotion of regional and minority languages. The delegation is meeting with the representatives of the regional or minority languages speakers and the...
Expert committee calls on Finland to strengthen education in the different Sami languages and ensure their use in services
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has called on the Finnish authorities to further strengthen education of Inari Sami, North Sami and Skolt Sami and ensure their effective use in social and health care services. The committee also recommends that...
Croatia: Minority languages widely used in education, but too limited in public administration and broadcasting, among findings in new report
Strasbourg, 27.05.2024 – A report published today by the Committee of Experts for the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages praises Croatia for continued protection and promotion of minority languages for national minorities, and enabling their use in fields such as education,...
Council of Europe expert committee calls for action plans to protect minority languages in Czechia
Strasbourg, 22.05.2024 – The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of the Council of Europe has called on Czechia to design and implement a specific strategy and action plan for protecting and promoting each of the languages covered by the treaty in the...
Former Charter Chair one of the ‘75 women in 75 years of Council of Europe History’
The awareness-raising project, co-organised by the EU delegation to the Council of Europe and the Permanent Representations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, was launched this month on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe. With a slideshow of...
Progress report on Sweden´s implementation of recommendations for immediate action published
Today the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has published a follow-up report on Sweden´s implementation of the recommendations for immediate action contained in the Committee of Experts’ eighth evaluation from 2023. This report is based on the information received from the...
COMEX 78th plenary meeting
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages held its 78th plenary meeting on 4-7 March 2024 in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the Committee adopted the 6th evaluation report on the application of the Charter by Finland, the 7th evaluation report on the...
Czechia: Protection of German extended under the Charter
On 28 February 2024, Czechia notified the Council of Europe that it has accepted to extend its undertakings under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to Part III (Articles 8-14) of the Charter with regard to German in the districts of Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Liberec, Ústí...
United Kingdom: visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A delegation of the Committee of Experts is visiting the United Kingdom this week from 19-23 February 2024 to evaluate progress made in the protection and promotion of regional and minority languages. The delegation is meeting with the representatives of the regional or minority languages...
More efforts needed to promote German outside the Danish-German border area
Strasbourg, 29.01.2024 – In a report published today, the Council of Europe´s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages concluded that the Danish authorities continue to provide a high level of protection for the German language, which is the only regional or...
Netherlands: ECRML protection extended to the Papiamento language
On 22 January 2024, the Netherlands notified the Council of Europe that they have accepted the application of the provisions of the Charter to be extended to the Caribbean Part of the Netherlands (the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) as well as the extension of the Charter’s...
Spain: visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A delegation of the Committee of Experts is visiting Spain this week from 15-19 January 2024 to evaluate progress made in the protection and promotion of regional and minority languages. The delegation is meeting with the representatives of the regional or minority languages speakers and the...
Text of the Charter
Secretariat of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Directorate of Anti-Discrimination
DGII Democracy
Council of Europe
Agora Building, 1 quai Jacoutot
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Tel: +33 (0)3 90 21 49 36
