Council of Europe publishes report on minority languages in Spain
Strasbourg, 25.10.2012. The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers made today public the third report on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in Spain. The report has been drawn up by a committee of independent experts, which monitors the application of the Charter.
In its report, the Committee of Experts acknowledges the high level of commitment and continued efforts of the Spanish authorities to protect and promote their regional and minority languages. Measures have been taken aiming at improving the legislative set up and raising the awareness about the multilingual character of Spain. However, further actions are needed, especially regarding the use of regional or minority languages before judicial and state administration authorities.
On the basis of this report, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a recommendation encouraging Spain to ensure that court proceedings can be conducted in regional or minority languages in the autonomous communities.
The Spanish authorities are also called upon taking measures to ensure the necessary language capacities of staff working in the State administration offices. Furthermore the Spanish authorities are encouraged to ensure the presence of all regional or minority languages in public services.
The Charter is the Council of Europe convention for the protection and promotion of languages used by national minorities. It entered into force in Spain in 2001.
More information on: www.coe.int/minlang
Council of Europe
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Tel: +33 (0)3 90 21 44 66
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 88
E-mail: minlang.secretariat@coe.int
