The purpose of the Charter is to protect and promote the historical regional or minority languages of Europe for the contribution they make to Europe’s cultural diversity and historical traditions and because some of them are in danger of extinction.
The Charter recognises that the circumstances of individual languages may vary considerably so it looks to Member States to do what is reasonable and appropriate according to the situation of the language.
The Charter is enforced by a system of periodic reporting by Member States to the Council of Europe’s Independent Committee of Experts. The Committee of Experts will report to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers who may then make recommendations to Member States on their application of the Charter. The UK Government’s first formal report on Cornish will be in July 2005.
Explanatory Report to the Charter
The UK Government’s ratification of the Charter
The UK Government ratified the Charter in March 2001 and has also recognised Irish, Scots, Scots Gaelic, Ulster Scots and Welsh in addition to Cornish.
The Government is also applying, to Irish, Scots Gaelic and Welsh only, the specific provisions in Part III of the Charter for the active promotion of languages in public life.
