European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
CETS No.: 148
Adopted on 5 November 1992
Entered into force on 1 March 1998
Ratified by 25 member States of the CoE (as at 27 September 2011)
For Switzerland:
Signed on 8 October 1993
Ratified on 23 December 1997
Entered into force on 1 April 1998
RS 0.441.2 (RO 2003 2507); Message of the Federal Council, 25 November 1996 in BBl 1997 I 1165 / FF 1997 I 1105 / FF 1997 I 1053
No reservations made, but one declaration
Official text
English / German / French / Italian
Periodic reports concerning Switzerland
Article 15 of the Charter calls for a report regarding its implementation every three years. Switzerland has already submitted four reports, a fifth report will be due in December 2012. Accoring to the declaration, Switzerland recognizes German in Bosco-Gurin (Ticino) and Ederswiler (French-speaking Jura), Italian in Grisons, Italian in Ticino, Romansh, Yenish, and Yiddish as minority languages. In its recommendations towards Switzerland, the CoE’s Committee of Ministers was concerned about the protection of the Romansh and Yenish.
- Database for the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Overview and documentation regarding all Minority languages covered by the Charter
Documentation of the reporting cycles
A compilation of the reports and recommendations is available on the site of the European Council.
First reporting cycle
- Switzerland's Periodical Report submitted on 03 November 1999 (pdf, 42 pages)
- Committee of Experts' Evaluation Report adopted on 1 June 2001 (pdf, 74 pages)
- Committee of Ministers' Recommendation adopted on 21 November 2001 (pdf, 1 page)
Second reporting cycle
- Switzerland's Periodical Report submitted on 23 December 2001 (pdf, 64 pages)
- Committee of Experts' Evaluation Report adopted on 24 March 2004 (pdf, 40 pages)
- Committee of Ministers' Recommendation adopted on 22 September 2004 (pdf, 1 page)
Third reporting cycle
- Switzerland's Periodical Report submitted on 24 May 2006 (pdf, 68 pages)
- Committee of Experts' Evaluation Report adopted on 19 September 2007 (pdf, 32 pages)
- Committee of Ministers' Recommendation adopted on 12 March 2008 (pdf, 1 page)
Fourth reporting cycle
- Switzerland's Periodical Report submitted on 14 December 2009 (pdf, 99 pages)
- Committee of Experts' Evaluation Report adopted on 4 June 2010 (pdf, 23 pages)
- Committee of Ministers' Recommendation adopted on 8 December 2010 (pdf, 1 page)
Update: 12.10.2011
