News about the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Czechia should take resolute action to protect minority languages: new Council of Europe expert committee report
Strasbourg, 08.04.2026 – The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of the Council of Europe has highlighted the need for the Czech authorities to take proactive, structured action to promote regional and minority languages, in line with their commitments...
COMEX 84th plenary meeting
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages held its 84th plenary meeting from 24 to 27 March 2026 in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the committee adopted its 4th evaluation report on the application of the Charter by Bosnia and Herzegovina and its 9th...
New media offer huge potential for language learning and use
New study published on regional and minority language protection in Europe
A new study on recurrent issues and good practices in the promotion of regional and minority languages in Europe has been published. It examines the diverse landscape for minority languages, in particular online, specifically the use of minority languages in new, social and digital media, and the...
Hungary: Council of Europe publishes report on minority languages
Strasbourg, 03.03.2026 – The Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe's European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages published its eighth evaluation report on Hungary, which reflects developments in protection and promotion of minority languages and identifies further action to...
21 February - International Mother Language Day
The Council of Europe’s commitment to linguistic diversity in everyday life and education
Through mother-tongue-based multilingual education, societies can foster greater inclusion, preserve minority and indigenous languages, and support equitable access to education. International Mother Language Day, marked globally on 21 February, shines a spotlight on these goals. “Home language...
Austria: 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 Austria this week from 16 to 20 February 2026 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...
Denmark extends promotion of German under the Charter
On 26 January 2026, the Kingdom of Denmark notified the Council of Europe that it accepts additional undertakings under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages for German. This decision substantially strengthens the protection and promotion of German in Southern...
Protection of Cornish under the Charter extended
On 5 December 2025, the United Kingdom notified the Council of Europe that it will apply Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to the Cornish language. This decision significantly strengthens the protection and promotion of the Cornish language. By applying Part III...
Finland: Progress in protecting minority languages, but further action needed to implement key recommendations
Strasbourg, 12.12.2025 – The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority languages has today published a mid-term report on Finland´s implementation of its 22 recommendations for immediate action made in the sixth evaluation report. The Charter, which entered into force...
Council of Europe expert committee calls for increased awareness of German as a minority language throughout Denmark and in the media
Despite progress made, further measures are needed by Denmark, to promote German as a minority language covered by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML), also outside of South Jutland/North Schleswig region according to a report published today. The Charter, which...
Serbia: Need to continue strengthening the use of minority languages in education, public services and media, building on progress achieved
Strasbourg, 04.12.2025 – The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in a new report published today, evaluates how Serbia has been implementing the recommendations for immediate action provided to the authorities in 2023. It notes some positive...
Council of Europe participation at the Eighteenth session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues
The Council of Europe participated in this year’s Forum on “The contribution of minorities to diverse, resilient, and peaceful societies” on 27 and 28 November 2025 in Geneva. In her intervention under session 1 on “Building trust and social cohesion: addressing barriers to peaceful...
COMEX 83rd plenary meeting
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages held its 83rd plenary meeting on 18-20 November 2025 in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the committee adopted its 8th evaluation report on the application of the Charter by Hungary, which will be transmitted to...
Factsheet on Romani language and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A new factsheet was launched today on the protection of Romani language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Romani enjoys varying levels of protection in 16 of the 25 states that have ratified the Charter. The factsheet presents recommendations on promoting Romani and...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
A delegation of the Committee of Experts is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina from 3 to 7 November 2025 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...
Norway: 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 Norway this week from 27 to 31 October 2025 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...
Event on the occasion of the European Day of Languages: regional or minority languages need to be protected more in Europe
Today, 24 September, in Brussels, Robert Dunbar, member in respect of the United Kingdom of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages participated in a roundtable, entitled Pillars of diversity: Our linguistic heritage shapes Europe, organised by the...
Slovakia: Minority languages are protected, but further measures are needed to favour their use in education, administration, media, and healthcare
Strasbourg, 19.09.2025 – In an evaluation report published today, the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages acknowledges the Slovak Republic’s efforts to protect and promote minority languages, particularly Hungarian, but calls for...
Armenia: Achievements in awareness-raising but minority languages should be taught more widely, says Council of Europe Committee
Strasbourg, 19.09.2025 – A new report published today by the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages notes efforts of the Armenian authorities to promote cultural and linguistic diversity. It reiterates the need, however, to ensure that the legislative...
Meeting of the Chairs of the Council of Europe Monitoring Bodies with the Secretary General
On 16 September 2025, the Chair of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Aleksandra Oszmiańska-Pagett, met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and other Chairs of Monitoring Bodies in Strasbourg. Topics on the agenda of were, inter...
Text of the Charter
Secretariat of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Directorate of Equal Rights and Dignity
DGII: Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity
Council of Europe
Agora Building, 1 quai Jacoutot
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
