Recommendation RecChL(2001)3 on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by Finland

The Committee of Ministers,

In accordance with Article 16 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;

Bearing in mind the instrument of acceptance submitted by Republic of Finland on 9 November 1994;

Having taken note of the evaluation made by the Committee of Experts of the Charter with respect to the application of the Charter by the Republic of Finland;

Having taken note of the comments submitted by the Finnish authorities on the content of the report of the Committee of Experts;

Bearing in mind that this evaluation is based on information submitted by Finland in its initial periodical report, supplementary information given by the Finnish authorities, information submitted by bodies and associations legally established in Finland and on the information obtained by the Committee of Experts during its its "on-the-spot" visit;

Recommends that the Republic of Finland take account of all the observations of the Committee of Experts and, as a matter of priority:

1. take immediate measures to strengthen the position of the Sami language in the field of education. Special efforts should be devoted to pre-school and primary education and to making available the necessary teacher training and teaching materials for Skolt and Inari Sami which seem to be in danger of extinction;

2. increase the presence of Sami within the media, in particular by encouraging, through concrete measures, the creation of newspapers and the broadcasting of regular television programmes;

3. a. provide favourable conditions to encourage the use of Swedish, the less widely used- official language, before the judicial and administrative authorities, in particular by taking measures aimed at improving the Swedish language skills of legal officials and administrative personnel;

b. provide favourable conditions to encourage the use of Sami before judicial and administrative authorities in the Sami Homeland, in particular by taking measures aimed at improving the Sami language skills of legal officials and administrative personnel;

4. ensure the provision of services in Swedish and Sami in the health care and social welfare sectors to those who so wish;

5. make its periodical reports on the application of the Charter public, thus ensuring that organisations and persons concerned are informed of the rights and duties established under the Charter and its implementation.

Comments:
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 19 September 2001 at the 765th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies
Disclaimer:

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.