ETS 148 – Regional or Minority Languages, 5.XI.1992
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i
traditionally used within a given territory of a State by nationals of that State who
form a group numerically smaller than the rest of the State's population; and
ii
different from the official language(s) of that State;
it does not include either dialects of the official language(s) of the State or the languages
of migrants;
b
"territory in which the regional or minority language is used" means the geographical
area in which the said language is the mode of expression of a number of people
justifying the adoption of the various protective and promotional measures provided for in
this Charter;
c
"non-territorial languages" means languages used by nationals of the State which differ
from the language or languages used by the rest of the State's population but which,
although traditionally used within the territory of the State, cannot be identified with a
particular area thereof.
Article 2 – Undertakings
1
Each Party undertakes to apply the provisions of Part II to all the regional or minority
languages spoken within its territory and which comply with the definition in Article 1.
2
In respect of each language specified at the time of ratification, acceptance or approval, in
accordance with Article 3, each Party undertakes to apply a minimum of thirty-five paragraphs
or sub-paragraphs chosen from among the provisions of Part III of the Charter, including at
least three chosen from each of the Articles 8 and 12 and one from each of the Articles 9, 10,
11 and 13.
Article 3 – Practical arrangements
1
Each Contracting State shall specify in its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval,
each regional or minority language, or official language which is less widely used on the
whole or part of its territory, to which the paragraphs chosen in accordance with Article 2,
paragraph 2, shall apply.
2
Any Party may, at any subsequent time, notify the Secretary General that it accepts the
obligations arising out of the provisions of any other paragraph of the Charter not already
specified in its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, or that it will apply
paragraph 1 of the present article to other regional or minority languages, or to other official
languages which are less widely used on the whole or part of its territory.
3
The undertakings referred to in the foregoing paragraph shall be deemed to form an integral
part of the ratification, acceptance or approval and will have the same effect as from their date
of notification.
Article 4 – Existing regimes of protection
1
Nothing in this Charter shall be construed as limiting or derogating from any of the rights
guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
2
The provisions of this Charter shall not affect any more favourable provisions concerning the
status of regional or minority languages, or the legal regime of persons belonging to minorities
which may exist in a Party or are provided for by relevant bilateral or multilateral international
agreements.
2