A delegation of the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will visit Bern and Chur from 5-8 February 2018 to evaluate progress made in the monitoring of the protection of national minorities in Switzerland.

This is the fourth visit made by the Advisory Committee to Switzerland. The Advisory Committee will have meetings with representatives of the government as well as civil society and national minorities to discuss the implementation of the Framework Convention with relevant stakeholders.

The delegation includes Mr Neven ANĐELIĆ, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Tove H. MALLOY, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of Denmark and Ms Edita ŽIOBIENÉ, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of Lithuania, as well as Mr Marco LEIDEKKER, Head and Mr Jean-Etienne KAUTZMANN, Administrator, Secretariat of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

Following this visit, the Advisory Committee will draw up its fourth opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention in Switzerland, containing specific findings and recommendations for follow-up. The fourth opinion is expected to be adopted in May 2018.

Note: Switzerland submitted its Fourth State Report under the Framework Convention in February 2017.