Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities was opened for signature by Council of Europe member states in 1995. It entered into force for Switzerland on 1 February 1999, following its ratification on 21 October 1998.
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is the only legally binding multilateral instrument dedicated to protecting national minorities in general. Its aim is to protect national minorities on the territory of the states parties concerned.
National minorities in Switzerland
The framework convention does not define what a national minority is. States are free to determine which minorities they wish to protect on their territory.
According to Switzerland's interpretative statement when it ratified the framework convention, Swiss national minorities are:
groups of people who i) number less than the rest of the population of the country or canton, ii) are Swiss nationals, iii) have long-standing, solid and lasting links with Switzerland, and iv) are committed to preserving their common identity together, particularly their culture, traditions, religion or language.
The following are currently recognised as Swiss national minorities: national linguistic minorities, members of the Swiss Jewish community, and of the Yenish and Sinti/Manouche communities, whether nomadic or not.
Review by Council of Europe
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, assisted by an advisory committee of experts, reviews and evaluates how states parties apply the framework convention. States parties are required to report periodically on measures they have taken to implement the convention. The Committee of Ministers issues conclusions and recommendations as a result of this monitoring cycle.
Switzerland has submitted five reports dedicated to the implementation of the framework convention, the most recent of which was submitted in October 2021. The FDFA's Directorate of International Law (DIL) coordinates the preparation of these reports. It also liaises and maintains contacts with the Council of Europe.
For the first time, the 5th periodic report has been combined with the report on the implementation of another Council of Europe convention, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which is the responsibility of the Federal Office of Culture of the FDHA.
Index
Documents
Combined report of Switzerland on the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (French)
Comments of the Swiss authorities on the 4th Opinion (French)
Comments of the Swiss authorities on the 5th Opinion (French)
Fifth opinion on Switzerland
On 13 February 2023, the Advisory Committee adopted its fifth opinion on Switzerland.
Fourth opinion on Switzerland
On May 31, 2018, the Advisory Committee adopted its fourth report on Switzerland.
Fourth report by Switzerland on the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (French)
(de, fr, it)
Resolution CM/ResCMN(2019)7 on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by Switzerland
Resolution CM/ResCMN(2023)8 on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by Switzerland