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Download XMLFramework Convention for the protection of national minorities
Parties with reservations, declarations and objections
| Party | Reservations / Declarations | Objections |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Azerbaijan | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| Estonia | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Latvia | Yes | No |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
| Luxembourg | Yes | No |
| Malta | Yes | No |
| Netherlands, the Kingdom of the | Yes | No |
| North Macedonia | Yes | No |
| Poland | Yes | No |
| Russian Federation | Yes | No |
| Slovenia | Yes | No |
| Spain | Yes | No |
| Sweden | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
Austria
31-03-1998
The Republic of Austria declares that, for itself, the term "national minorities" within the meaning of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is understood to designate those groups which come within the scope of application of the Law on Ethnic Groups (Volksgruppengesetz, Federal Law Gazette No. 396/1976) and which live and traditionally have had their home in parts of the territory of the Republic of Austria and which are composed of Austrian citizens with non-German mother tongues and with their own ethnic cultures.
Azerbaijan
26-06-2000
The Republic of Azerbaijan, confirming its adherence to the universal values and respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, declares that the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and implementation of its provisions do not imply any right to engage in any activity violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty, or internal and international security of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Belgium
31-07-2001
The Kingdom of Belgium declares that the Framework Convention applies without prejudice to the constitutional provisions, guarantees or principles, and without prejudice to the legislative rules which currently govern the use of languages. The Kingdom of Belgium declares that the notion of national minority will be defined by the inter-ministerial conference of foreign policy.
Bulgaria
07-05-1999
Confirming its adherence to the values of the Council of Europe and the desire for the integration of Bulgaria into the European structures, committed to the policy of protection of human rights and tolerance to persons belonging to minorities, and their full integration into Bulgarian society, the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria declares that the ratification and implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities do not imply any right to engage in any activity violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the unitary Bulgarian State, its internal and international security.
Denmark
22-09-1997
In connection with the deposit of the instrument of ratification by Denmark of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, it is hereby declared that the Framework Convention shall apply to the German minority in South Jutland of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Estonia
06-01-1997
The Republic of Estonia understands the term "national minorities", which is not defined
in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, as follows:
are considered as "national minority" those citizens of Estonia who
- reside on the territory of Estonia;
- maintain longstanding, firm and lasting ties with Estonia;
- are distinct from Estonians on the basis of their ethnic, cultural, religious or
linguistic characteristics;
- are motivated by a concern to preserve together their cultural traditions, their
religion or their language, which constitute the basis of their common identity.
Germany
11-05-1995
The Framework Convention contains no definition of the notion of national minorities. It is therefore up to the individual Contracting Parties to determine the groups to which it shall apply after ratification. National Minorities in the Federal Republic of Germany are the Danes of German citizenship and the members of the Sorbian people with German citizenship. The Framework Convention will also be applied to members of the ethnic groups traditionally resident in Germany, the Frisians of German citizenship and the Sinti and Roma of German citizenship.
Latvia
06-06-2005
The Republic of Latvia
- Recognizing the diversity of cultures, religions and languages in Europe, which
constitutes one of the features of the common European identity and a particular value,
- Taking into account the experience of the Council of Europe member States and the
wish to foster the preservation and development of national minority cultures and
languages, while respecting the sovereignty and national-cultural identity of every
State,
- Affirming the positive role of an integrated society, including the command of the
State language, to the life of a democratic State,
- Taking into account the specific historical experience and traditions of Latvia,
declares that the notion "national minorities" which has not been defined in the Framework
Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, shall, in the meaning of the
Framework Convention, apply to citizens of Latvia who differ from Latvians in terms
of their culture, religion or language, who have traditionally lived in Latvia for
generations and consider themselves to belong to the State and society of Latvia,
who wish to preserve and develop their culture, religion or language. Persons who
are not citizens of Latvia or another State but who permanently and legally reside
in the Republic of Latvia, who do not belong to a national minority within the meaning
of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as defined in
this declaration, but who identify themselves with a national minority that meets
the definition contained in this declaration, shall enjoy the rights prescribed in
the Framework Convention, unless specific exceptions are prescribed by law.
The Republic of Latvia declares that it will apply the provisions of Article 10, paragraph
2, of the Framework Convention without prejudice to the Satversme (Constitution) of
the Republic of Latvia and the legislative acts governing the use of the State language
that are currently into force.
The Republic of Latvia declares that it will apply the provisions of Article 11, paragraph
2, of the Framework Convention without prejudice to the Satversme (Constitution) of
the Republic of Latvia and the legislative acts governing the use of the State language
that are currently into force.
Liechtenstein
18-11-1997
The Principality of Liechtenstein declares that Articles 24 and 25, in particular, of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1 February 1995 are to be understood having regard to the fact that no national minorities in the sense of the Framework Convention exist in the territory of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The Principality of Liechtenstein considers its ratification of the Framework Convention as an act of solidarity in the view of the objectives of the Convention.
Luxembourg
20-07-1995
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg understands by "national minority" in the meaning of
the Framework Convention, a group of people settled for numerous generations on its
territory, having the Luxembourg nationality and having kept distinctive characteristics
in an ethnic and linguistic way.
On the basis of this definition, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is induced to establish
that there is no "national minority" on its territory.
Malta
10-02-1998
The Government of Malta reserves the right not to be bound by the provisions of Article
15 insofar as these entail the right to vote or to stand for election either for the
House of Representatives or for Local Councils.
The Government of Malta declares that Articles 24 and 25, in particular, of the Framework
Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1 February 1995 are to be
understood having regard to the fact that no national minorities in the sense of the
Framework Convention exist in the territory of the Government of Malta. The Government
of Malta considers its ratification of the Framework Convention as an act of solidarity
in the view of the objectives of the Convention.
Netherlands, the Kingdom of the
16-02-2005
The Kingdom of the Netherlands will apply the Framework Convention for the protection
of national minorities to the Frisians.
The Government of the Kingdom assumes that the protection afforded by Article 10,
paragraph 3 does not differ, despite the variations in wording, from that afforded
by Article 5, paragraph 2 and Article 6, paragraph 3(a) and (e) of the European Convention
for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the Framework Convention for the Kingdom of
Europe.
North Macedonia
02-06-2004
Referring to the Framework Convention, and taking into account the latest amendments
to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Macedonia submits the revised declaration to replace the previous two declarations
on the aforesaid Convention:
The term "national minorities" used in the Framework Convention and the provisions
of the same Convention shall be applied to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia
who live within its borders and who are part of the Albanian people, Turkish people,
Vlach people, Serbian people, Roma people and Bosniac people.
Poland
20-12-2000
Taking into consideration the fact, that the Framework Convention for the Protection
of National Minorities contains no definition of the national minorities notion, the
Republic of Poland declares, that it understands this term as national minorities
residing within the territory of the Republic of Poland at the same time whose members
are polish citizens.
The Republic of Poland shall also implement the Framework Convention under Article
18 of the Convention by conclusion of international agreements mentioned in this Article,
the aim of which is to protect national minorities in Poland and minorities or groups
of Poles in other States.
Russian Federation
21-08-1998
The Russian Federation considers that none is entitled to include unilaterally in reservations or declarations, made while signing or ratifying the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, a definition of the term "national minority", which is not contained in the Framework Convention. In the opinion of the Russian Federation, attempts to exclude from the scope of the Framework Convention the persons who permanently reside in the territory of States Parties to the Framework Convention and previously had a citizenship but have been arbitrarily deprived of it, contradict the purpose of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Slovenia
25-03-1998
Considering that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities does not contain a definition of the notion of national minorities and it is therefore up to the individual Contracting Party to determine the groups which it shall consider as national minorities, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, in accordance with the Constitution and internal legislation of the Republic of Slovenia, declares that these are the autochthonous Italian and Hungarian National Minorities. In accordance with the Constitution and internal legislation of the Republic of Slovenia, the provisions of the Framework Convention shall apply also to the members of the Roma community, who live in the Republic of Slovenia.
Spain
15-11-2016
The Government of Spain has the honour to communicate that, following the previous information provided by Spain as contained in the letter of 26 June 2003 addressed to the President of the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, copy of which was transmitted by the Permanent Representative of Spain to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the same date, Spain reiterates that, in line with its constitutional provisions, it has consistently interpreted the Framework Convention in the sense that no national minority exists in its territory. The Framework Convention applies to the Spanish citizens of the “comunidad gitana” (roma, gipsies) although these citizens do not constitute a national minority.
Sweden
09-02-2000
The national minorities in Sweden are Sami, Swedish Finns, Tornedalers, Roma and Jews.
Switzerland
21-10-1998
Switzerland declares that in Switzerland national minorities in the sense of the framework
Convention are groups of individuals numerically inferior to the rest of the population
of the country or of a canton, whose members are Swiss nationals, have long-standing,
firm and lasting ties with Switzerland and are guided by the will to safeguard together
what constitutes their common identity, in particular their culture, their traditions,
their religion or their language.
Switzerland declares that the provisions of the framework Convention governing the
use of the language in relations between individuals and administrative authorities
are applicable without prejudice to the principles observed by the Confederation and
the cantons in the determination of official languages.