The Council of Europe (COE) Directorate of Education and Language has said that the failure by France to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and its failure to either sign or ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities means that no independent monitoring can be undertaken by the COE.

The Council of Europe were responding to concerns expressed by the Celtic League

"Dear Mr Moffatt,

On behalf of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General I would like to thank you for your letter of 12 October in which you express your concern regarding the situation of minority languages in France.

The Council of Europe places great importance on the protection of regional and minority languages and national minorities in all its member states and has adopted two relevant instruments: the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

To date, 23 member states of the Council of Europe are party to the Charter, and the Framework Convention is operational in 39 member states. France has signed but, to date, not yet ratified the Charter and has neither signed nor ratified the Framework Convention. This means that the independent monitoring bodies responsible for monitoring the situation of regional or minority languages and national minorities in those countries that are party to the relevant conventions have no mandate to do so in France.

However, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, two of the Council of Europe's main organs, regularly urge those member states that have not yet ratified these instruments to do so.

We are pleased to note that France has recently recognised its regional languages in Article 75 of the Constitution, and that consideration is being given to a future law on regional languages. We trust that the French authorities will find helpful guidance in the principles and practice relating to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Yours sincerely,

Joseph Sheils Head of the Department of Language Education and Policy"

See related article on Celtic News at:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 12/11/08

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