ACFC/44DOC(2012)001 rev consideration to the setting up of thresholds for determining the areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities in substantial numbers and welcomes measures taken by the authorities to lower any such thresholds as appropriate. 58. The Advisory Committee encourages maximum implementation of the possibilities provided by law to allow the use of minority languages in contacts with administrative authorities at local level and in education. Authorities should support and actively encourage such measures by creating an environment that is conducive to the use of minority languages, including through the allocation of necessary financial and human resources.66 In this context, authorities are also invited to consider carefully the situation of those national minorities and linguistic communities whose members live in substantial numbers outside of their traditional territories (often in capital cities). The Advisory Committee has reiterated in this regard that the conditions of Article 10.2 are met as long as there is demand and persons belonging to national minorities live in substantial numbers.67 1.3. Right to be informed in criminal proceedings 59. According to Article 10.3 of the Framework Convention, every person belonging to a national minority has the right during criminal proceedings to be informed of the reasons of the arrest and of the nature and cause of any accusation brought against him or her in a language he or she understands. These rights are also guaranteed by Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the Advisory Committee has repeatedly noted that, while adequate legal provisions may exist, this right is often not systematically implemented because of inadequate financial resources and/or a lack of qualified interpreters. This is particularly the case for the languages of numerically smaller minorities. The Advisory Committee has consistently encouraged the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that minority language rights in the judicial system are fully safeguarded, including as regards investigative and pre-trial stages.68 In addition, the Advisory Committee has welcomed the guarantee of the right to interpretation into a minority language not only in the context of criminal proceedings, but also in that of civil and administrative proceedings.69 1.4. Alphabet of minority languages 60. Article 10 does not address the issue of choice of an alphabet separately from the right to use a minority language. The Advisory Committee considers the alphabet as an integral part of language and thus urges states not to draw a distinction between the two concepts nor to create separate rules. Furthermore, the Advisory Committee finds that in cases where the use of a language does not concern relations with public authorities, the choice of the alphabet should as a rule be left to the discretion of the individuals concerned, and not be subject to any normative limitations.70 2. MANIFESTATIONS OF MINORITY LANGUAGES: PERSONAL NAMES, PLACE NAMES AND TOPOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS 2.1. Personal names and patronyms 61. The right to use one’s personal name in a minority language and have it officially recognised is a core linguistic right, linked closely to personal identity and dignity, and has been emphasised by the Advisory Committee in a number of country-specific Opinions.71 66 Third Opinion on Slovenia; Second Opinion on Switzerland. Third Opinion on Finland; First Opinion on Norway. 68 First Opinion on the Czech Republic. 69 First Opinion on Georgia; Second Opinion on Romania. 70 Second and Third Opinion on the Russian Federation. 71 See, for instance, Second Opinion on Lithuania; Third Opinion on Finland. 67 19