Doc. 8879

18 October 2000

Application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Communication

by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Introduction

Under the terms of Article 16.5 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the Secretary General is required to make a two-yearly report to the Parliamentary Assembly on the application of the Charter. The present document constitutes the first such report.

The Charter came into force on 1st March 1998. Its provisions do not specify when the Secretary General should present the first report to the Assembly. On the one hand, it has seemed wise to wait until sufficient experience has been gained with the monitoring of its implementation to be able to supply substantive information. On the other hand, since the Assembly has the right to be kept informed of developments regarding this important convention, it did not appear justifiable to delay the first report beyond the end of the year 2000.

As a result, considering the present state of the formal process of examining the application of the Charter in the first wave of contracting states (see below), this report is bound to be of an interim nature.

The state of signatures and ratifications

As of 10 September 2000, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages had been signed by 23 states,1 of which 10 had ratified it.2 A chart of signatures and ratifications is reproduced in Appendix I.

Considering that the Charter was opened for signature in November 1992, I find the rate of ratification disappointingly slow.

I recognise, however, that the process of ratification of this instrument may involve difficult political negotiations and complex decisions. The Charter does not confine itself to providing a framework for national legislation and policy but in its Part III lays down a large number of specific undertakings from which the Parties are required to choose "according to the situation of each language". In fact the Parties not only have to determine which of their regional or minority languages qualify for protection under Part III but for each such language must choose a minimum of 35 out of 68 paragraphs which will apply to it. Indeed, since the measures chosen have to be adapted to the situation of each language, it may be necessary to adopt different provisions for the same language in different regions, because the numbers and the degree of concentration of the speakers of the language differ.

While acknowledging this complexity, I wish to encourage the member states to press on with ratification as soon as possible.

For some of the newer member states, the Parliamentary Assembly text recommending their admission to the Council of Europe contains the explicit requirement that they should ratify the Charter. But the older member states too have much to gain from a clear commitment to these European standards, as a means of conferring credibility and authority on national policy and practice. I also encourage other countries to follow the good example of those states which have ratified the Charter from motives of European solidarity on a matter which so clearly reflects the basic values of the Council of Europe.

The nature of the undertakings of the Parties to the Charter

The declarations made by the Parties to the Charter at the time of ratification are to be found in Appendix II.

It will be noted that the declarations vary greatly in length and complexity. This is partly because of considerable differences in the number of regional or minority languages in the various States concerned. Liechtenstein declares that there are no regional or minority languages in the sense of the Charter on its territory at the time of ratification; Norway cites only one such language; whereas other States have several such languages.

However, the disparate length of the declarations is also due to very different approaches to the undertakings with respect to each language. Thus while Part II of the Charter applies to all the regional or minority languages spoken within its territory, some States (in particular Germany and the Netherlands) have preferred to specify which languages they consider to be covered by the provisions of Part II.

As far as Part III is concerned, each contracting State is required to specify which languages are covered and, for each language, which paragraphs or sub-paragraphs of Part III will apply to it (provided a minimum of 35 provisions is chosen). However, in their declarations some States (Croatia and Hungary) have undertaken to apply exactly the same provisions of Part III of the Charter to all the regional or minority languages concerned. Others (Finland and Switzerland) have specified a different list for each language. Another (Germany) has not only specified different provisions of Part III for each language but has varied the protection afforded to one and the same language in different regions according not only to the federal system but also to the situation of the language in the region concerned.

I do not wish to pronounce on the legitimacy of the different approaches adopted, which is a matter for the Committee of Experts. However, I consider that the adaptation of the undertakings to the different circumstances of each language in each region corresponds to the wording and the spirit of the different Articles of Part III of the Charter, many of which offer a number of options from which the Parties may choose "according to the situation of each language".

Application of the Charter in the States Parties

Sources of information

Article 15 of the Charter requires the Parties to present periodical reports to the Secretary General on their policy pursued in accordance with Part II of the Charter and on the measures taken in application of the provisions of Part III which they have accepted. These reports clearly constitute the primary source of information on the implementation of the Charter. The first periodical report is to be submitted within the year following the entry into force of the Charter for the Party concerned. It is of particular importance because it has to provide a description of the overall situation of regional or minority languages in the state in question with reference to the requirements of the Charter.

Article 15 of the Charter further specifies that the periodical reports are to be presented by the Parties "in a form to be prescribed by the Committee of Ministers". To this end, the Committee of Ministers adopted at the end of 1998 a uniform outline for the periodical reports.

The initial periodical report has been received from all the states for which the Charter came into force in 1998. In accordance with Article 15.2 of the Charter, these reports have been made public by the governments concerned. In some instances, however, questions have been raised as to the means employed to this end. In my view, the report should not simply be published as a printed document, but special care should be taken to inform all interested parties of its availability. It would also be helpful to make it available on the Internet, as some of the Parties have in fact done.

Each Party to the Charter is required thereafter to submit further periodical reports at three-yearly intervals. Provided that the first report has provided a clear and comprehensive picture of the situation of regional or minority languages and the legislation and policy pertaining to them, the subsequent reports should be easier to prepare, because they will need only to give an account of developments since the previous report.

Article 16 of the Charter provides that bodies or associations legally established in a Party may draw the attention of the committee of experts to matters relating to the undertakings entered into by that Party under Part III of the Charter. Such submissions provide a valuable additional input of information from sources independent of governments. Since the Charter came into force various associations in several Contracting Parties have made use of this possibility by drawing the attention of the Committee of Experts to matters which cause them concern.

The issues raised include, for example, the use of languages not covered under the Charter or the lack of funding to promote the various languages, as well as detailed information - complementing that in the Periodical Report - on the status of a regional or minority language in education, culture or the media.

Independent evaluation

In order to monitor its application, the Charter establishes in Articles 16 and 17 a committee of experts composed of one member from each State Party.

In the literature already published on the Charter, criticism is sometimes expressed of the fact that the designation of the members of the Committee of Experts is entirely in the hands of the governments, since the Committee of Ministers appoints each one from a list of candidates nominated by the Party concerned. These critics therefore do not necessarily expect the Committee of Experts to act independently and impartially.

Experience has shown this criticism to be quite misplaced. Not only have the Parties nominated "individuals of the highest integrity and recognised competence in the matters dealt with in the Charter" as required by Article 17; they have also taken to heart the specification in the explanatory report on the Charter whereby the experts appointed to the committee should be free to act independently and not be subject to instructions from the governments concerned. All the existing members of the Committee of Experts clearly fulfil the conditions of competence and independence. Some have indeed been nominated by governments after consultation with the non-governmental sector. The Committee has also established its own working methods without the influence of outside bodies or governments, by adopting its Rules of Procedure.

The mandate of the Committee of Experts is to examine the periodical reports submitted to the Secretary General by the Parties to the Charter. It also considers the matters brought to its attention by bodies or associations as outlined above and consults the Party concerned while doing so. It then prepares its own report for the Committee of Ministers.

It rapidly became clear that when examining the national reports the Committee of Experts needed to enter into a dialogue with the national authorities concerned in order to clarify some aspects of the report and obtain additional information. This dialogue is carried on in the first place in the form of written questions and answers. However, the Committee has normally found it necessary to follow up this written correspondence by sending a delegation, consisting of three members of the Committee, on an ”On-the-Spot Mission” to the country concerned. These visits provide an opportunity for a more intensive exchange of information with the governmental authorities, other public bodies (such as ombudsmen), parliamentarians and representatives of the speakers of the various regional or minority languages. I note with satisfaction that the national authorities concerned have normally provided all the necessary practical assistance to enable these on-the-spot visits to be carried out under satisfactory conditions.

It is only after the completion of this dialogue that the Committee of Experts prepares its own report for the Committee of Ministers. I understand that the Committee has also wished to wait until it had several reports to submit, so as to ensure from the start that there is comparability of treatment of the States examined. That is why no reports have yet been forwarded to the Committee of Ministers, although the first reports are expected by early 2001.

Clearly, substantive conclusions on the real application of the Charter in the States Parties will have to await the submission of these reports.

Political control and support

The key political role in securing the application of the Charter in the States Parties belongs to the Committee of Ministers. The Charter explicitly empowers the Committee of Ministers to make the reports of the Committee of Experts public. I trust that the Committee of Ministers will make regular use of this possibility, which is in the interests both of transparency and of securing maximum impact for the Charter in the states concerned.

The Charter also specifies that the Committee of Experts shall make proposals to the Committee of Ministers with regard to the preparation of recommendations to be made to the individual Parties. This is a crucial aspect since it raises the continuing dialogue with the contracting States to the political level and lays the foundation for the next phase of the monitoring procedure. I expect that the Committee of Ministers will wish to follow closely the proposals of the Committee of Experts when adopting its recommendations.

As for the Parliamentary Assembly, the role assigned to it by the Charter is exceptional for a Council of Europe convention. Few conventions provide for reports to be submitted to the Assembly and no other convention requires the Secretary General to present his own report on its application. The significance of this role of the Assembly should not be underestimated. The debate on the biennial report gives a regular opportunity to Europe's parliamentarians to review the state of implementation of the Charter and exert political pressure to improve it.

In any case, I have noted with appreciation the constant support which the Assembly has given to the Charter. In particular, it has rarely missed an opportunity to insist on the need for signature and ratification, especially as a condition for new member states at the time of their admission to the Organisation. I am confident that the Assembly will continue to promote new accessions to the Charter, focusing its efforts on new and old member States alike. I also believe that the reports of the Committee of Experts and the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers will furnish a good basis for action by the Assembly to promote the situation of regional or minority languages in individual member States.

Appendix 1

EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR REGIONAL OR MINORITY LANGUAGES
ETS n° : 148

Treaty open for signature by the member States and for accession by non-member States

Status as of 17/10/00

OPENING FOR SIGNATURE :
Place : Strasbourg
Date : 05/11/92

ENTRY INTO FORCE :
Conditions : 5 Ratifications.
Date : 01/03/98

Member States of the Council of Europe:

States

Date of
signature

Date of
ratification

Date of entry
into force

Notes

R.

D.

A.

T.

C.

O.

Albania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andorra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austria

05/11/92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belgium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bulgaria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Croatia

05/11/97

05/11/97

01/03/98

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

Cyprus

12/11/92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Czech Republic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denmark

05/11/92

08/09/00

01/01/01

 

 

X

 

 

X

 

Estonia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finland

05/11/92

09/11/94

01/03/98

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

France

07/05/99

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

05/11/92

16/09/98

01/01/99

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Greece

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungary

05/11/92

26/04/95

01/03/98

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Iceland

07/05/99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy

27/06/00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latvia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liechtenstein

05/11/92

18/11/97

01/03/98

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Lithuania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luxembourg

05/11/92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malta

05/11/92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moldova

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netherlands

05/11/92

02/05/96

01/03/98

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Norway

05/11/92

10/11/93

01/03/98

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Poland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portugal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romania

17/07/95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Marino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slovakia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slovenia

03/07/97

04/10/00

01/01/01

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Spain

05/11/92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden

09/02/00

09/02/00

01/06/00

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Switzerland

08/10/93

23/12/97

01/04/98

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

25/07/96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ukraine

02/05/96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

02/03/00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-member States of the Council of Europe:

States

Date of
signature

Date of
ratification

Date of entry
into force

Notes

R.

D.

A.

T.

C.

O.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total number of signatures not followed by ratifications :

12

Total number of ratifications/accessions :

11

Notes :

(a) Accession - (s) Signature without reservation as to ratification - (su) Succession - (r) Signature "ad referendum".
R.: Reservations - D.: Declarations - A.: Authorities - T.: Territorial Application - C.: Communication - O.: Objection.

Source: Treaty Office on http://conventions.coe.int

Appendix II

List of declarations made with respect to treaty no. 148

EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR REGIONAL OR MINORITY LANGUAGES

Complete chronology on: 17/10/00

 

   Croatia :



Reservation contained in the instrument of ratification, deposited on 5 November 1997 - Or. Cro./Engl.


The Republic of Croatia declares, in pursuance of Article 21 of the European Charter for Regional of Minority Languages, that in respect of the Republic of Croatia the provisions of Article 7, paragraph 5, of the Charter shall not apply.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 7

Declaration contained in the instrument of ratification, deposited on 5 November 1997 - Or. Cro./Engl.


The Republic of Croatia declares that, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2, and Article 3, paragraph 1, of the European Charter for Regional of Minority Languages, it shall apply to Italian, Serbian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Ruthenian and Ukrainian languages the following paragraphs of the Charter:

- In Article 8:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (iv), c (iv), d (iv), e (ii), f (ii), g, h;

- In Article 9:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), a (iv), b (ii), b (iii), c (ii), c (iii), d;
paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a;

- In Article 10:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), a (iv) b, c;
paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, g;
paragraph 3, sub-paragraphs a, b, c;
paragraph 5;

- In Article 11:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), d, e (ii);
paragraph 2;
paragraph 3;

- In Article 12:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, f, g;

- In Article 13:
paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c;

- Article 14.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                                 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

Declaration contained in the instrument of ratification, deposited on 5 November 1997 - Or. Cro./Engl.

The Republic of Croatia declares, with regard to Article 1, paragraph b., of the Charter, that pursuant to Croatian legislature, the term "territory in which the regional or minority languages is used" shall refer to those areas in which the official use of minority language is introduced by the by-laws passed by the local self-government units, pursuant to Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and Articles 7 and 8 of the Constitutional Law on Human Rights and Freedoms and the Rights of National and Ethnic Communities or Minorities on the Republic of Croatia.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 1

 

   Denmark :



Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of Denmark, handed at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification on8 September 2000 - Or. Eng.

[Note by the Secretariat
: The text of this declaration will soon be available on this site.]
Period covered: 01/01/01 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 2

Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of Denmark, handed at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification on 8 September 2000 - Or. Eng.

[Note by the Secretariat
: The text of this declaration will soon be available on this site.]
Period covered: 01/01/01 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 3

Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of Denmark, handed at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification on 8 September 2000 - Or. Eng.

[Note by the Secretariat
: The text of this declaration will soon be available on this site.]
Period covered: 01/01/01 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 4

Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of Denmark, handed at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification on 8 September 2000 - Or. Eng.

[Note by the Secretariat
: The text of this declaration will soon be available on this site.]
Period covered: 01/01/01 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 15

Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of Denmark, handed at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification on 8 September 2000 - Or. Eng.

[Note by the Secretariat
: The text of this declaration will soon be available on this site.]
Period covered: 01/01/01 -
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): -

 

   Finland :



Declarations contained in the instrument of acceptance, deposited on 9 November 1994 - Or. Engl.


Finland declares, according to Article 2, paragraph 2, and Article 3, paragraph 1, that it applies to the Saami language which is a regional or minority language in Finland, the following provisions of Part III of the Charter:

In Article 8
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), b (i), c (i), d (ii), e (ii), f (ii), g, h, i
Paragraph 2

In Article 9
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), a (iii), a (iv), b (ii), b (iii), c (ii), c (iii), d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 3

In Article 10
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b, c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph b
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, b
Paragraph 5

In Article 11
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (i), c (ii), d, e (i), f (ii)
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 12
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 13
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, c, d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs b, c

In Article 14
:
Paragraph a
Paragraph b.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                             
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

Declaration contained in the instrument of acceptance, deposited on 9 November 1994 - Or. Engl.


Finland declares, according to Article 2, paragraph 2, and Article 3, paragraph 1, that it applies to the Swedish language which is the less widely used official language in Finland, the following provisions of Part III of the Charter:

In Article 8
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), b (i), c (i), d (i), e (i), f (i), g, h, i
Paragraph 2

In Article 9
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), a (ii), a (iii), a (iv), b (i), b (ii), b (iii), c (i), c (ii), c (iii), d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 3

In Article 10
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), b, c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, b
Paragraph 5

In Article 11
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (i), c (ii), d, e (i), f (ii)
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 12
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 13
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, c, d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e

In Article 14
:
Paragraph a
Paragraph b.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                                 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

Declaration contained in the instrument of acceptance, deposited on 9 November 1994 - Or. Engl.


Finland declares, referring to Article 7, paragraph 5, that it undertakes to apply, mutatis mutandis, the principles listed in paragraphs 1 to 4 of the said Article to the Romanes language and to the other non-territorial languages in Finland.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 7

 

   France :



Declaration contained in the full powers handed to the Secretary General at the time of signature of the instrument, on 7 May 1999 - Or. Fr.


France intends to make the following declaration in its instrument of ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages:

1. In so far as the aim of the Charter is not to recognise or protect minorities but to promote the European language heritage, and as the use of the term "groups" of speakers does not grant collective rights to speakers of regional or minority languages, the French Government interprets this instrument in a manner compatible with the Preamble to the Constitution, which ensures the equality of all citizens before the law and recognises only the French people, composed of all citizens, without distinction as to origin, race or religion.

2. The French Government interprets Article 7-1, paragraph d, and Articles 9 and 10 as posing a general principle which is not in conflict with Article 2 of the Constitution, pursuant to which the use of the French language is mandatory on all public-law corporations and private individuals in the exercise of a public service function, as well as on individuals in their relations with public administrations and services.

3. The French Government interprets Article 7-1, paragraph f, and Article 8 to mean that they preserve the optional nature of the teaching and study of regional or minority languages, as well as of the history and culture which is reflected by them, and that the purpose of this teaching is not to remove from pupils enrolled in schools on the national territory the rights and obligations applicable to all those attending establishments providing the public education service or associated therewith.

4. The French Government interprets Article 9-3 as not opposing the possible use only of the official French version, which is legally authoritative, of statutory texts made available in the regional or minority languages, by public-law corporations and private individuals in the exercise of a public service function, as well as by individuals in their relations with public administrations and services.                  
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 1, 10, 7, 8, 9

Declaration contained in the full powers handed to the Secretary General at the time of signature of the instrument, on 7 May 1999 - Or. Fr.


France will specify in its instrument of ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, pursuant to Article 3-1 thereof, the regional or minority languages to which the measures to be selected in accordance with Article 2-2 shall apply. In conformity with Article 2-2, France intends to undertake to apply some or all of the following paragraphs or sub-paragraphs of Part III of the Charter:

Article 8
:
Sub-paragraphs 1.a.iii, 1.b.iv, 1.c.iv, 1.d.iv, 1.e.i, 1.e.ii, 1.f.ii, 1.g, 1.h, 1.i
Paragraph 2

Article 9
:
Paragraph 3

Article 10
:
Sub-paragraphs 2.c, 2.d, 2.g

Article 11
:
Sub-paragraphs 1.a.iii, 1.b.ii, 1.c.ii, 1.d, 1.e.ii, 1.f.ii, 1.g
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

Article 12
:
Sub-paragraphs 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 1.d, 1.e, 1.g
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

Article 13
:
Sub-paragraphs 1.b, 1.c, 1.d
Sub-paragraphs 2.b, 2.e

Article 14
:
Paragraph a
Paragraph b                                
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

 

   Germany :



Declaration transmitted by a letter from the Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany, dated 23 January 1998, registered at the Secretariat General on 23 January 1998 - Or. Engl./Ger.

Declaration from the Federal Republic of Germany for the preparation of the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages


Minority languages within the meaning of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the Federal Republic of Germany shall be the Danish, Upper Sorbian, Lower Sorbian, North Frisian and Sater Frisian languages and the Romany language of the German Sinti and Roma; a regional language within the meaning of the Charter in the Federal Republic shall be the Low German language.

Pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Charter, the Federal Republic of Germany shall specify the regional or minority languages to which the provisions selected pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Charter shall apply upon the entry into force of the Charter in the Federal Republic of Germany:

Danish in the Danish language area in Land Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iii/iv; d iii; e ii; f ii/iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 c; d; e; f; g; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d; paragraph 2 c;
Article 14 a; b.

Upper Sorbian in the Upper Sorbian language area in the Free State of Saxony:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii; b iv; c iv; d iv; e ii; f iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9 paragraph 1 a ii; a iii; b ii; b iii; c ii; c iii; d; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a iv/v; paragraph 2 a; b; g; paragraph 3 b/c; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e i; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2, paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d; paragraph 2 c.

Lower Sorbian in the Lower Sorbian language area in Land Brandenburg:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; e iii; f iii; g; h; i;
Article 9, paragraph 1 a ii; a iii; b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a iv/v; paragraph 2 b; g; paragraph 3 b/c; paragraph 4 a; c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e i; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d.

North Frisian in the North Frisian language area in Land Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii/iv; b iv; c iv; e ii; f iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;
Article 14 a.

Sater Frisian in the Sater Frisian language area in Land Lower Saxony:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e ii; f iii; g; i;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; c; paragraph 2 a; b; c; d; e; f; paragraph 4 a; c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d.

Low German in the Länder Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein:

Obligations regarding Low German in the territory of the Länder Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e ii; g;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; c; paragraph 2 a; b; f;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c;

and additionally:

- in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; f i; h;
Article 10, paragraph 2 c; d; e;
Article 11, paragraph 1 g;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; g;
Article 13, paragraph 2 c;

- in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; d iii; f ii; h; i;
Article 10, paragraph 2 e; paragraph 4 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 g;
Article 12, paragraph 1 g;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2 c;

- in Land Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; d iii; h; i;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; h;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d, paragraph 2 c;

- in Land Lower Saxony:
Article 8, paragraph 1 f iii; i;
Article 10, paragraph 2 c; d; e; paragraph 4 a; c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; g; paragraph 2;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d;
Article 14 a; b;

- in Land Schleswig-Holstein:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; f iii; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; g;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2 c.

The separate specification of these provisions for the territories of each individual Land is in keeping with the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany and takes into account the situation of each of these languages in the Land in question.

The Romany language of the German Sinti and Roma in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and Low German language in the territory of the Länder Brandenburg, North-Rhine/Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt shall be protected pursuant to Part II of the Charter.
Period covered: 01/01/99 -
                                 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

Declaration transmitted by a letter from the Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany, dated 26 January 1998, registered at the Secretariat General on 26 January 1998 - Or. Engl./Ger.

Declaration from the Federal Republic of Germany for the fulfilment of the obligations of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages concerning Part II.


Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages shall be applied to Romany, the minority language of the German Sinti and Roma in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, and to the regional language Low German in the territory of the Länder Brandenburg, North-Rhine/Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt upon its entry into force in the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with the declaration of the Federal Republic of Germany of 23 January 1998. The objectives and principles laid down in Article 7 of the Charter shall form the bases with regard to these languages. At the same time, German law and Germany's administrative practice thus meet individual requirements laid down in Part III of the Charter:

With regard to Romany
:

for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany:
Article 8, paragraph 1 f iii; g; h;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 d; e ii; f ii; g; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 g; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;
Article 14 a;

and additionally:

- in Land Baden-Württemberg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a;

- in Land Berlin:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a i/ii; b i/ii/iii/iv; e i/ii/iii; i; paragraph 2;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b i/ii: c ii; e i/ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iv; c iv;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Hesse:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii/iv; b iv; c iv; d iv; e iii; i; paragraph 2;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; e i;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2;

- in Land North-Rhine/Westphalia:
Article 8,paragraph 1 e iii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2;

- in Land Lower Saxony:
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Rhineland-Palatinate:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e iii;
Article 11, paragraph 1 c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Schleswig-Holstein:
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 2 b; paragraph 4 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2.

With regard to Low German
:

- in Land Brandenburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; f iii; g;
Article 9, paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 2 b; paragraph 3 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; f; g;

- in Land North-Rhine/Westphalia:
Article 8, paragraph 1 e iii; g; h; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 11, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;

- in Land Saxony-Anhalt:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; g; h;
Article 9, paragraph 2 a;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; e ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; f; g; h.

The separate specification of these provisions for the territory of each individual Land is in keeping with the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany and takes into account the situation of each of these languages in the Land in question.

In accordance with the national distribution of competencies, the way in which the above-mentioned provisions of Part III of the Charter are implemented through legal regulations and Germany's administrative practice with due regard to the objectives and principles specified in Article 7 of the Charter shall be the responsibility of either the Federation or the competent Land. Details will be provided in the procedure for implementing the federal act with which the legislature consents to the Charter as laid down in the Memorandum to the Charter.
Period covered: 01/01/99 -
                                     
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

Declarations contained in a letter from the Permanent Representation of Germany, dated 16 September 1998, handed to the Secretary General at the time of deposit of the instrument of ratification, on 16 September 1998 – Or. Engl./Germ.


Minority languages within the meaning of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the Federal Republic of Germany shall be the Danish, Upper Sorbian, Lower Sorbian, North Frisian and Sater Frisian languages and the Romany language of the German Sinti and Roma; a regional language within the meaning of the Charter in the Federal Republic shall be the Low German language.

Pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Charter, the Federal Republic of Germany specifies the regional or minority languages to which the provisions selected pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Charter shall apply upon the entry into force of the Charter in the Federal Republic of Germany:

Danish in the Danish language area in Land Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iii/iv; d iii; e ii; f ii/iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 c; d; e; f; g; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d; paragraph 2 c;
Article 14 a; b.

Upper Sorbian in the Upper Sorbian language area in the Free State of Saxony:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii; b iv; c iv; d iv; e ii; f iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9 paragraph 1 a ii; a iii; b ii; b iii; c ii; c iii; d; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a iv/v; paragraph 2 a; b; g; paragraph 3 b/c; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e i; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2, paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d; paragraph 2 c.

Lower Sorbian in the Lower Sorbian language area in Land Brandenburg:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; e iii; f iii; g; h; i;
Article 9, paragraph 1 a ii; a iii; b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a iv/v; paragraph 2 b; g; paragraph 3 b/c; paragraph 4 a; c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e i; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d.

North Frisian in the North Frisian language area in Land Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii/iv; b iv; c iv; e ii; f iii; g; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 4 c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;
Article 14 a.

Sater Frisian in the Sater Frisian language area in Land Lower Saxony:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e ii; f iii; g; i;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; c; paragraph 2 a; b; c; d; e; f; paragraph 4 a; c; paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; b; c; d; e; f; g; paragraph 2; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d.

Low German in the Länder Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein:

Obligations regarding Low German in the territory of the Länder Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein:

Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e ii; g;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; c; paragraph 2 a; b; f;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c;

and additionally:

- in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; f i; h;
Article 10, paragraph 2 c; d; e;
Article 11, paragraph 1 g;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; g;
Article 13, paragraph 2 c;

- in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; d iii; f ii; h; i;
Article 10, paragraph 2 e; paragraph 4 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 g;
Article 12, paragraph 1 g;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2 c;

- in Land Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; d iii; h; i;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; h;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d, paragraph 2 c;

- in Land Lower Saxony:
Article 8, paragraph 1 f iii; i;
Article 10, paragraph 2 c; d; e; paragraph 4 a; c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; e; g; paragraph 2;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d;
Article 14 a; b;

- in Land Schleswig-Holstein:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; f iii; h; i; paragraph 2;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraph 1 b; c; g;
Article 13, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2 c.

The separate specification of these provisions for the territories of each individual Land is in keeping with the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany and takes into account the situation of each of these languages in the Land in question.

The Romany language of the German Sinti and Roma in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and Low German language in the territory of the Länder Brandenburg, North-Rhine/Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt shall be protected pursuant to Part II of the Charter.

Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages shall be applied to Romany, the minority language of the German Sinti and Roma in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, and to the regional language Low German in the territory of the Länder Brandenburg, North-Rhine/Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt upon its entry into force in the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with the declaration of the Federal Republic of Germany of 23 January 1998. The objectives and principles laid down in Article 7 of the Charter shall form the bases with regard to these languages. At the same time, German law and Germany's administrative practice thus meet individual requirements laid down in Part III of the Charter:

With regard to Romany


for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany:

Article 8, paragraph 1 f iii; g; h;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 5;
Article 11, paragraph 1 d; e ii; f ii; g; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 g; paragraph 3;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;
Article 14 a;

and additionally:

- in Land Baden-Württemberg:
Article 8, paragraphs 1 a iv, 1 e iii;
Article 10, paragraph 4 c;
Article 12, paragraphs 1 a, 1 d; f; paragraph 2.

- in Land Berlin:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a i/ii; b i/ii/iii/iv; e i/ii/iii; i; paragraph 2;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b i/ii: c ii; e i/ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 b iv; c iv;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Hesse:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iii/iv; b iv; c iv; d iv; e iii; i; paragraph 2;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; e i;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2;

- in Land North-Rhine/Westphalia:
Article 8,paragraph 1 e iii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2;

- in Land Lower Saxony:
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Rhineland-Palatinate:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; e iii;
Article 11, paragraph 1 c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f;

- in Land Schleswig-Holstein:
Article 10, paragraph 1 a v; paragraph 2 b; paragraph 4 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; f; paragraph 2.

With regard to Low German
:

- in Land Brandenburg:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; f iii; g;
Article 9, paragraph 2 a;
Article 10, paragraph 2 b; paragraph 3 c;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; d; e ii; f ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; f; g;

- in Land North-Rhine/Westphalia:
Article 8, paragraph 1 e iii; g; h; paragraph 2;
Article 9, paragraph 1 b iii; c iii; paragraph 2 a;
Article 11, paragraph 1 d; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; d; e; f; g; h; paragraph 2;
Article 13, paragraph 1 a; c; d;

- in Land Saxony-Anhalt:
Article 8, paragraph 1 a iv; b iv; c iv; g; h;
Article 9, paragraph 2 a;
Article 11, paragraph 1 b ii; c ii; e ii; paragraph 2;
Article 12, paragraph 1 a; f; g; h.

The separate specification of these provisions for the territory of each individual Land is in keeping with the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany and takes into account the situation of each of these languages in the Land in question.

In accordance with the national distribution of competencies, the way in which the above-mentioned provisions of Part III of the Charter are implemented through legal regulations and Germany's administrative practice with due regard to the objectives and principles specified in Article 7 of the Charter shall be the responsibility of either the Federation or the competent Land. Details will be provided in the procedure for implementing the federal act with which the legislature consents to the Charter as laid down in the Memorandum to the Charter.
Period covered: 01/01/99 -
                                   
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

 

   Hungary :



Declarations contained in the instrument of ratification, deposited on 26 April 1995 - Or. Engl. and completed by a Note verbale (1) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, dated 12 March 1999, registered at the Secretariat General on 16 March 1999 - Or. Fr.


Hungary declares, according to Article 2, paragraph 2, and Article 3, that it applies to the Croatian, German, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak and Slovene languages, the following provisions of Part III of the Charter:

In Article 8
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iv), b (iv), c (iv), d (iv), e (iii), f (iii), g, h, i
Paragraph 2

In Article 9
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), a (iii), a (iv), b (ii), b (iii), c (ii), c (iii)
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c

In Article 10
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (v), c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs b, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph c
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, c
Paragraph 5

In Article 11
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (ii), c (ii), e (i), f (i), g
Paragraph 3

In Article 12
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, f, g
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 13
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraph a

In Article 14
:
Paragraph a
Paragraph b.

[(1) Note from the Secretariat:

The Note verbale read as follows:


" The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary presents its compliments to the Secretariat General of the Council of Europe and has the honor to draw its attention to a technical error contained in the instrument of ratification deposited by the Republic of Hungary, namely that the languages enumerated in respect of which Hungary makes undertakings concerning Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, do not include the Serbian language.

Indeed, the Republic of Hungary, by Decision No. 35/1995 (IV.7) of the Parliament, of which an official translation in French is appended, has ratified Part III of the Charter, accepting also the Serbian language and with the same options as those enumerated in the instrument of ratification of 19 April 1995. Hungary's obligations with regard to the Serbian language become therefore operative from the date of entry into force of the European Charter for Regional of Minority Languages in respect of Hungary.

Decision of the Parliament No. 35/1995 (IV.7)
On the ratification of the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages
and on the undertakings taken by the Republic of Hungary
in conformity with its Article 2, litt. 2,


The Parliament, on a proposition from the Government:

1. Ratifies the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages, elaborated on 5 November 1992, which text is reproduced in Appendix No. 1.

2. Agrees that the undertakings taken in conformity with Article 2, litt. 2, of the Charter reproduced in Appendix No. 2 extend to the Croatian, German, Romanian, Serbian, Slovakian, Slovenian languages.

3. Invites the President of the Republic to issue the instrument of ratification.

4. Invites the Minister of Foreign Affairs to deposit the instrument of ratification and the inventory of the undertakings taken."]
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                               
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

 

   Liechtenstein :



Declaration contained in the instrument of ratification deposited on 18 November 1997 - Or. Fr.


The Principality of Liechtenstein declares in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2, and in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of 5 November 1992, that there are no regional or minority languages in the sense of the Charter in the territory of the Principality of Liechtenstein at the time of ratification.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
   
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 2, 3

 

   Netherlands :



Declaration contained in the intrument of acceptance, deposited on 2 May 1996 - Or. Engl.


The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the said Charter for the Kingdom in Europe.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
 
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): -

Declarations contained in a Note Verbale handed over by the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands at the time of deposit of the intrument of acceptance, on 2 May 1996 - Or. Engl.


The Kingdom of the Netherlands declares, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2, and Article 3, paragraph 1, of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, that it will apply to the Frisian language in the province of Friesland the following provisions of Part III of the Charter:

In Article 8
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), b (ii), c (iii), e (ii), f (i), g, h, i.
Paragraph 2.

In Article 9
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), a (iii), b (iii), c (ii), c (iii).
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph b.

In Article 10
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (v), c.
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g.
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, c.
Paragraph 5.

In Article 11
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (ii), c (ii), f (ii).
Paragraph 2.

In Article 12
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, d, e, f, g, h.
Paragraph 2.
Paragraph 3.

In Article 13
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, c, d.
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs b, c.

In Article 14
:
Paragraph a.
Paragraph b.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands further declares that the principles enumerated in Part II of the Charter will be applied to the Lower-Saxon languages used in the Netherlands, and, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 5, to Yiddish and the Romanes languages.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                                     
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

Declaration contained in a Note Verbale from the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands, dated 18 March 1997, registered at the Secretariat General on 19 March 1997 - Or. Engl.


The Kingdom of the Netherlands declares, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of 5 November 1992, that the principles enumerated in Part II of the Charter will be applied to the Limburger language used in the Netherlands.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 2

 

   Norway :



Declarations contained in the instrument of ratification, deposited on 10 November 1993 - Or. Engl.


We undertake to carry out the provisions contained in Parts I, II, IV and V of the Charter and also in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2, the provisions contained in the following articles, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs of Part III of the Charter :

In Article 8
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (iv), c (iv), d (iv), e (ii), f (ii), g, h, i
Paragraph 2

In Article 9
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i-iv), b (i-iii), d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 3

In Article 10
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b, c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph b
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 5

In Article 11
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs, a (iii), b (i), c (ii), e (i), f (ii), g
Paragraph 2

In Article 12
:
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, d, e, f, g, h
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

In Article 13
:
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs c, e

In Article 14
:
sub-paragraph b

The above-mentioned paragraphs and sub-paragraphs shall, in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, apply to the Sami language.
Period covered: 01/03/98 -
                               
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

 

   Sweden :



Declaration contained in the instrument of ratification deposited on 9 February 2000 - Or. Eng.


Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli (Tornedal Finnish) are regional or minority languages in Sweden. Sweden''s undertakings pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2 with respect to these languages are described in the appendix.

Romani Chib and Yiddish shall be regarded as non-territorial minority languages in Sweden when the Charter is applied

APPENDIX


The extent of Sweden's undertakings according to Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.


The followings paragraphs and sub-paragraphs under Article 8 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

8.1.a.iii
8.1.b.iv
8.1.c.iv
8.1.d.iv
8.1.e.iii
8.1.f.iii
8.1.g
8.1.h
8.1.i
8.2.

The following paragraphs and sub-paragraphs under Article 9 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

9.1.a.ii
9.1.a.iii
9.1.a.iv
9.1.b.ii
9.1.b.iii
9.1.c.ii
9.1.c.iii
9.1.d
9.2
9.3

The following paragraphs and sub-paragraphs under Article 10 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

10.1.a.iii
10.1.a.v
10.1.c.
10.2.b.
10.2.c.
10.2.d.
10.2.g.
10.4.a.
10.5

The following paragraphs and sub-paragraphs under Article 11 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

11.1.a.iii
11.1.d
11.1.e.i
11.1.f.ii
11.2.

In addition, 11.1.c.i will apply with respect to Finnish.

The following paragraphs under Article 12 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

12.1.a
12.1.b
12.1.d
12.1.f
12.1.g
12.2.

In addition, 12.1.e will apply to Sami, and 12.1.c and 12.1.h to Finnish and Sami.

The following paragraphs under Article 13 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

13.1.a

The following paragraphs under Article 14 shall apply to Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli:

14.a
14.b

This means that a total of 45 paragraphs or sub-paragraphs in part III of the Charter shall apply to Sami and Finnish, and 42 paragraphs or sub-paragraphs to Meänkieli.
Period covered: 01/06/00 -
                           
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 8, 9

 

   Switzerland :



Declaration contained in the instrument of ratification deposited on 23 December 1997 - Or. Fr.


The Swiss Federal Council declares, in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Charter, that in Switzerland Romansh and Italian are the less widely used official languages to which the following paragraphs chosen in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Charter, shall apply:

a. Romansh


Article 8:
(education)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iv), b (i), c (iii), d (iii), e (ii), f (iii), g, h, i

Article 9
(judicial authorities)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (ii), a (iii), b (ii), b (iii), c (ii)
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 3

Article 10
(administrative authorities and public services)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), b, c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph b
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, c
Paragraph 5

Article 11
(media)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (iii), b (i), c (ii), e (i), f (i)
Paragraph 3

Article 12
(cultural activities and facilities)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, e, f, g, h
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

Article 13
(economic and social life)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraph d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph b

Article 14
(transfrontier exchanges)
Sub-paragraph a
Sub-paragraph b.

b. Italian


Article 8
(education)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), a (iv), b (i), c (i), c (ii), d (i), d (iii), e (ii), f (i), f (iii), g, h, i

Article 9
(judicial authorities)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), a (ii), a (iii), b (i), b (ii), b (iii), c (i), c (ii), d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph a
Paragraph 3

Article 10
(administrative authorities and public services)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), b, c
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g
Paragraph 3, sub-paragraphs a, b
Paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs a, b, c
Paragraph 5

Article 11
( media)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a (i), e (i), g
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

Article 12
(cultural activities and facilities)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3

Article 13
(economic and social life)
Paragraph 1, sub-paragraph d
Paragraph 2, sub-paragraph b

Article 14
(transfrontier exchanges)
Sub-paragraph a
Sub-paragraph b.
Period covered: 01/04/98 -
                               
The preceding statement concerns Article(s): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 3, 8, 9

Source: Treaty Office on http://conventions.coe.int


1 Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

2 Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.