□ 聯合國相關語言權之宣言及會議
□ 歐洲相關語言權之宣言及會議
□ 美洲相關語言權之宣言及會議
□ 非洲相關語言權之宣言及會議
歐洲相關語言權之宣言及會議
保護人權與基本自由公約
Convention For Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
歐洲安全暨合作會議哥本哈根會議文件
Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the CSCE
莫斯科人道會議文件
Document of the Moscow Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension
關於地區性或少數族群語言之歐洲憲章 史特拉斯堡，1992年11月5日
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Strasbourg, 5.XI.1992
保護少數族群之架構協定
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
奧斯陸關於少數族群之語言權建議書
Oslo Recommendations Regarding the Linguistic Rights of National Minorities
■保護人權與基本自由公約
『保護人權與基本自由公約』於1950年11月4日經歐洲會議採用。
第六條
第二項
凡遭逮捕者應立即以他所能瞭解的語言被告知所以遭到逮捕的理由以及所被控告的罪名…
第三項
凡受刑事罪的控告者具有以下最低限度的權利：第一款
立即以他所能瞭解的語言詳細地告以他被控的性質和原因；
第五款
如果他不懂或不會講法院所使用的語言，可以請求免費的翻議員協助。
第十四條
人人對本公約列舉的權利與自由的享受應予保證，不得因性別、種族、膚色、語文宗教、政治或其他主張、民族或社會出身、同少數族群的聯繫、財產、出身或其他地位而有所歧視。
Convention For Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
The European Convention For Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was adopted by the Council of Europe on 4 November 1950.
Article 6
2. Everyone who is arrested shall be informed promptly, in a language which he understands, of the reasons for his arrest and of any charge against him...
3. Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the following minimum rights:
(a) to be informed promptly, in a language which he understands and in detail, of the nature and cause of the accusation against him;...
(e) to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in court.
Article 14
The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.
■斯德哥爾摩會議歐洲信心與安全建立措施及特定方面的安全與裁軍議決文件
『斯德哥爾摩會議歐洲信心與安全建立措施及特定方面的安全與裁軍議決文件』於1986年9月19日經「歐洲安全合作組織」採行。
經濟、科學、科技及環境領域的合作
為有效確保移民者與本國國民的子女在各種形式與各階段教育上機會的平等，與會國承諾採行必要措施以提高國內的教育機會並使其得到更好的利用。除此之外，在合理的要求下，與會國將鼓勵並促成使移民工作者的子女都能額外以母語接受教育。
在人道及其他領域的合作
〔與會國〕將妥善處理海外旅遊申請，摒除任何差別待遇的情況，諸如種族、膚色、性別、語言、宗教、政治或其他主張、民族或社會出身、財產、出身、年齡或其他狀態；並將確保對其中一人的拒絕不會影響到其他人所提出的申請。
他們確保將實踐使境內少數族群或地域文化在其領域內可以母語傳播、取得及交換資訊。
他們重申將努力實行『最後議定書』及『馬德里議決文件』中關於少用語言的條款。他們也將鼓勵針對增加這類語文的翻譯作品及提升其品質的創舉，特別是舉辦囊括翻譯者、作者及出版社的討論會，出版字典，以及在合宜的情況下透過獎學金促成翻譯者之間的交流。
他們將確保使國內少數族群或地域文化的人民在各個方面可以維持並發展他們的文化，包括語言、文學及宗教；並且可以保存自己的文化及歷史遺跡和物件。
他們確保將使所有人得以接受各種形式與階段的教育，並排除任何歧視，諸如種族、膚色、性別、語言、宗教、政治或其他主張、民族或社會出身、財產、出身、年齡或其他狀態。
他們將確保使國內少數族群或地區文化能夠給予並接受有關自己文化的教導，其中包括教導其下一代母語、宗教及文化認同。
Concluding Document of the Stockholm Conference on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures and Certain Aspects of Security and Disarmament in Europe
The Concluding Document of the Stockholm Conference on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures and Certain Aspects of Security and Disarmament in Europe was adopted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 19 September 1986.
Co-operation in the Field of Economics, of Science and Technology and of the Environment
Aiming at ensuring effective equality of opportunity between the children of migrant workers and the children of their own nationals regarding access to all forms and levels of education, the participating states affirm their readiness to take measures needed for the better use and improvement of educational opportunities. Furthermore, they will encourage or facilitate, where reasonable demands exists, supplementary teaching in their mother tongue for the children of migrant workers.
Co-operation in Humanitarian and other Field
[The participating states] will deal favourably with applications for travel abroad without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, age or other status. They will ensure that any refusal does not affect applications submitted by other persons.
They will ensure in practice that persons belonging to national minorities or regional cultures on their territories can disseminate, have access to, and exchange information in their mother tongue.
They will renew their efforts to give effect to the provisions of the Final Act and the Madrid Concluding Document relating to less widely spoken languages. They will also encourage initiatives aimed at increasing the number of translations of literature from and into these languages and improving their quality, in particular by the holding of workshops involving translators, authors and publishers, by the publication of dictionaries and, where appropriate, by the exchange of translators through scholarships.
They will ensure that persons belonging to national minorities or regional cultures on their territories can maintain and develop their own culture in all its aspects, including language, literature and religion; and that they can preserve their cultural and historical monuments and objects.
They will ensure access by all to the various types and levels of education without discrimination as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
They will ensure that persons belonging to national minorities or regional cultures on their territories can give and receive instruction on their own culture, including instruction through parental transmission of language, religion and cultural identity to their children.
■維也納會議議決文件
『維也納會議議決文件』於1989年1月15日經「歐洲安全暨合作組織」採行，其中包含一些關於少數語言族群之語言、平等及權利的條款。
第十一條
〔與會國〕確認將尊重人權與基本自由，其中包括思想、良心、宗教或信仰，無關種族、性別、語言或宗教之區別。他們同時也認可人權及基本自由的普世意義，並尊崇其為確保與會國之間、以及其他國家之間為發展友好關係與合作所需之和平、正義和安全的重要因素。
第十三條
於此情形下，〔與會國〕將……
第七項
確保其領域與司法制度下所有人的人權與基本自由，沒有任何差別待遇，諸如種族、膚色、性別、語言、宗教、政治或其他主張、民族或社會出身、財產、出身或其他狀態。
第十六條
為確保每個人信奉及實踐宗教或信仰的自由，與會國將特別……
第六項
尊重每個人以其自由選擇之語言施予或接受宗教教育的權利，不論其為單獨或與他人結盟
第九項
尊重個別或團體信徒以其自由選擇之語言獲得、擁有、使用聖典與宗教出版物，以及其他有關實踐宗教或信仰之文章或資料的權利。
第十八條
他們將於其領域內保護並創造使國內少數族群能夠宣揚其種族、文化、語言及宗教認同的條件。他們將尊重國內少數族群行使權利的自由，並確保其平等地位。
The Concluding Document of the Vienna Meeting
The Concluding Document of the Vienna Meeting of the OSCE was adopted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 15 January 1989 and contains a number of provisions relating to language and equality and the rights of linguistic minorities.
11. [The participating states] confirm that they will respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. They also confirm the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for which is an essential factor for the peace, justice and security necessary to ensure the development of friendly relations and co-operation among themselves, as among all states.
13. In this context [the participating states] will...
13.7 - ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms to everyone within their territory and subject to their jurisdiction, without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;
16. In order to ensure the freedom of the individual to profess and practice religion or belief, the participating states will, inter alia, ...
16.6 - respect the right of everyone to give and receive religious education in the language of his choice, whether individually or in association with others;...
16.9 - respect the right of individual believers and communities of believers to acquire, possess, and use sacred books, religious publications in the language of their choice and other articles and materials related to the practise of religion or belief;18. They will protect and create conditions for the promotion of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities on their territory. They will respect the free exercise of rights by persons belonging to such minorities and ensure their full equality with others.
■新歐洲巴黎憲章
『新歐洲巴黎憲章』於1990年11月21日在巴黎經「歐洲安全暨合作組織」領袖高峰會採行。
人權、民主及律法準則
我們肯定國內少數族群的種族、文化、語言及宗教認同將被保護，同時這些人有權在不受到歧視且在法律前平等的情況下，自由地表達、保存及發展他們的認同。
人道面向
為珍惜並促進國內少數族群對我們社會的豐富貢獻，我們承諾將改善他們的情況。我們重申保護國內少數族群之種族、文化、語言及宗教認同，並且創造使其認同得以被提倡的情況，是維持人民之間友好關係、和平、正義、社會穩定和民主的必要條件，同時也是我們最深的信念。我們宣稱所有關於國內少數族群的問題只有在民主政治的架構下才能獲得圓滿解決。我們更進一步認知到國內少數族群的權利必須被視為普世人權的一部份並且被充分地尊重。
Charter of Paris for a New Europe
The Charter of Paris for a New Europe was adopted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe at a Summit Meeting of Heads of State or Government of participating States in Paris on 21 November 1990.
Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law
We affirm that the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities will be protected and that persons belonging to national minorities have the right freely to express, preserve and develop identity without any discrimination and in full equality before the law.
Human dimension
... Determined to foster the rich contribution of national minorities to the life of our societies, we undertake further to improve their situation. We reaffirm our deep conviction that friendly relations among our peoples, as well as peace, justice, stability and democracy, require that the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities be protected and conditions for the promotion of that identity be created. We declare that questions related to national minorities can only be satisfactorily resolved in a democratic political framework. We further acknowledge that the rights of persons belonging to national minorities must be fully respected as part of universal human rights.
■歐洲安全暨合作會議哥本哈根會議文
『歐洲安全暨合作會議哥本哈根會議文件』於1990年6月29日採行。此份文件強調尊重少數族群的權利為促進民主的根本要素。
第三十一條
國內少數族群有權自由行使人權與基本自由，不受到任何歧視並且在法律之前享有一切平等權利。
在必要情況下，與會國將採行特別措施以確保國內少數族群與其他公民一樣能夠充分行使及享有人權和基本自由。
第三十二條
任何人皆可選擇成為國內少數族群的一員，同時這樣的選擇將不會引起任何不良後果。
少數族群有權自由地表達、保存及發展他們的種族、文化、語言或宗教認同，並且在各個方面維持及發展他們的文化，不受任何違反其意志之同化誘惑所影響。特別是，他們有權第一項
私下或公開地自由使用母語；
第二項
建立並維持屬於他們自己的教育、文化和宗教機構、組織或協會，並且在遵守國家法律的情況下得以尋求自願性的捐款、其他性質的捐贈以及政府的協助；
第三項
信奉並實踐他們的宗教，包括學習、擁有與使用宗教器材，以及使用母語進行宗教教育活動；
第四項
與國內或其他國家境內相同種族、文化傳統或宗教信仰的人民建立並維持不受阻撓的接觸；
第五項
以母語傳播、取得及交換資訊；
第六項
在國內建立並維持組織或協會，並得以參加非政府組織。
國內少數族群得以個別或群體地使用並享有〔屬於〕他們的權利。但是不行使這些權利亦不會造成他們任何損失。
第三十三條
與會國將保護境內少數族群的種族、文化、語言及宗教認同，並創造使其認同得以被提倡的條件。在充分的諮商後，他們將根據各個國家的決議程序採行必要措施，包括與這些少數族群的組織或協會進行接觸。
與會國為此所採行的一切措施必須符合與其境內國民相當的平等及非歧視原則。
第三十四條
與會國將盡力確保使國內少數族群儘管在必須學習官方或法定語言的情況下，仍有充份機會可以接受母語教育，並且在可能及必須、與國家律法一致且合宜的情況下，得以在政府官員前使用母語。
教育養成中，有關歷史及文化的教導，少數族群的歷史及文化也應受到相當程度的重視。
第三十五條
與會國將尊重少數族群有效參與公共事務的權利，其中包括與保護並提倡這些少數族群之認同相關的事務。
與會國注意到需盡力保護並創造得以提倡少數族群的種族、文化、語言及宗教認同的條件。為了達成這樣的目標，應建立能與少數族群之特殊歷史及區域環境相符、且不違反國家政策之合宜的地方或自治行政區。
Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the CSCE
The Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe was adopted 29 June 1990. The Document emphasizes the respect of national minority rights as inherent to the promotion of democracy.
Article 31
Persons belonging to national minorities have the rights to exercise fully and effectively their human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality before the law.
The participating States will adopt, where necessary, special measures for the purpose of ensuring to persons belonging to national minorities full equality with the other citizens in the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Article 32
To belong to a national minority is a matter of a person's individual choice and no disadvantage may arise from the exercise of such choice.
Persons belonging to national minorities have the right freely to express, preserve and develop their ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity and to maintain and develop their culture in all its aspects, free of any attempts at assimilation against their will. In particular, they have the right
(32.1) to use freely their mother tongue in private as well as in public;
(32.2) to establish and maintain their own educational, cultural and religious institutions, organizations or associations, which can seek voluntary financial and other contributions as well as public assistance, in conformity with national legislation;
(32.3) to profess and practise their religion, including the acquisition, possession and use of religious materials, and to conduct religious educational activities in their mother tongue;
(32.4) to establish and maintain unimpeded contacts among themselves within their country as well as contacts across frontiers with citizens of other States with whom they share a common ethnic or national origin, cultural heritage or religious beliefs;
(32.5) to disseminate, have access to and exchange information in their mother tongue;
(32.6) to establish and maintain organizations or associations within their country and to participate in non-governmental organizations.
Persons belonging to national minorities can exercise and enjoy their rights individually as well as in community with other members of their group. No disadvantage may arise for a person belonging to a national minority on account of the exercise of non-exercise of any such rights.
Article 33
The participating States will protect the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities on their territory and create conditions for the promotion of that identity. They will take the necessary measures to that effect after due consultations, including contacts with organizations or associations of such minorities, in accordance with the decision-making procedures of each State.
Any such measures will be in conformity with the principles of equality and non-discrimination with respect to the other citizens of the participating State concerned.
Article 34
The participating States will endeavour to ensure that persons belonging to national minorities, notwithstanding the need to learn the official language or languages of the State concerned, have adequate opportunities for instruction of their mother tongue, as well as, wherever possible and necessary, for its use before public authorities, in conformity with applicable national legislation.
In the context of the teaching of history and culture in educational establishments, they will also take account of the history and culture of national minorities.
Article 35
The participating States will respect the right of persons belonging to national minorities to effective participation in public affairs, including in the affairs relating to the protection and promotion of the identity of such minorities.
The participating States note the efforts undertaken to protect and create conditions for the promotion of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of certain national minorities by establishing, as one of the possible means to achieve these aims, appropriate local or autonomous administrations corresponding to the specific historical and territorial circumstances of such minorities and in accordance with the policies of the State concerned.
■莫斯科人道會議文件
『莫斯科人道會議文件』於1991年10月3日經歐洲安全暨合作組織採行。
第二十三條
第一項
與會國將確保……
第二款
遭逮捕者將立即以他所能瞭解的語文被告知所以遭到逮捕的理由以及所將被控告的罪名。
第二十八條
第七項
與會國將盡力避免可能減損其依照國際歸約所應擔負之會員國義務的行為，即使在公開的緊急狀態下將導致此種結果。導致義務減損的措施將依照文件中的程序性要求嚴格執行。執行這些措施的時間將不得超過處理緊急事件所需；這些措施屬於例外情況，應當被解釋並且有限制地實行。如此措施之執行將不得因其種族、膚色、性別、語言、社會背景為少數，或與少數族群有親屬關係而受到差別待遇。
第三十八條
與會國承認移民工作者及其家人的合法居住權應當被尊重，並且強調他們有權利自由地表達他們的種族、文化、宗教及語言特性。這些權利的行使應當符合國內法律規範並與國際標準一致。
第四項
他們建議「歐洲安全暨合作會議」將來在適當考量人道方面的工作上應專注於討論有關移民工作者的各項議題，特別包括使其熟悉所屬國家之語言及社會生活。
Document of the Moscow Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension
The Document of the Moscow Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension was adopted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 3 October 1991.
23.1 The participating states will ensure that...
(ii) anyone who is arrested will be informed promptly in a language which he understands of the reason for his arrest, and will be informed of any charges against him;
28.7 The participating states will endeavour to refrain from making derogations from those obligations from which, according to international conventions to which they are parties, derogation is possible under a state of public emergency. Measures derogating from such obligations must be taken in strict conformity with the procedural requirements laid down in those instruments. Such measures will neither go further nor remain in force longer than strictly required by the exigencies of the situation; they are by nature exceptional and should be interpreted and applied with restraint. Such measures will not discriminate solely on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, social origin or of belonging to a minority.
38. The participating states recognise the need to ensure that the rights of migrant workers and their families lawfully residing in the participating states are respected and underline their right to express freely their ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic characteristics. The exercise of such rights may be subject to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and are consistent with international standards.
38.4 They recommend that the CSCE in its future work on the human dimension consider appropriate means to hold focused discussions on all issues regarding migrant workers, including inter alia, familiarisation with the language and social life of the country concerned.
■赫爾辛基高峰會決議
『赫爾辛基高峰會決議』於1992年7月10日經「歐洲安全暨合作組織」各國領袖批准。
各與會國……
第二十五條
將持續透過單邊、雙邊及多邊努力，開發各種管道以更有效地實踐其相關之「歐洲安全暨合作會議」的承諾，包括有關保護及創造使國內少數族群之種族、文化、語言及宗教其認同得以被提倡的條件。
第三十七條
將鼓勵創造能增進移民工作者與其合法居留之社會間更加和諧的條件。為達成目標，他們將特別尋求並提供各種措施及設備，使移民工作者與其家人能夠熟悉其所合法居留之國家的語言及社會生活，並使其能參與居住國家之社會活動。
Helsinki Summit Decision
The Helsinki Summit Decisions were approved by Heads of State or Government of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 10 July 1992.
The participating states...
25. Will continue through unilateral, bilateral and multilateral efforts to explore further avenues for more effective implementation of their relevant CSCE commitments, including those related to the protection and the creation of conditions for the promotion of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities;
37. Will encourage the creation of conditions to foster greater harmony in relations between migrant workers and the rest of the society of the participating state in which they lawfully reside. To this end, they will seek to offer, inter alia, measures to facilitate the familiarisation of migrant workers and their families with the languages and social life of the respective participating state in which they lawfully reside so as to enable them to participate in the life of the society of the host country;
■歐盟條約
『歐盟條約』包含一些有關語言的條款，於1992年2月7日在馬斯垂克經會員國外交及財政部長簽署通過。
第一百二十六條
第一項
共同體應鼓勵會員國之間的合作以促成教育品質的提升，並在需要的情況下支持並且補助他們的行動，同時充分尊重會員國教育的內容、組織以及其文化和語言的多樣性。
第二項
共同體的行動應針對…
發展歐洲式教育，尤其是教授及傳播會員國的語言；
第一百二十八條
第一項
共同體應促成會員國文化的全盛期，尊重他們民族與地域文化的多樣性，同時發揚其共同文化資產。
第四項
共同體於實踐條約款項之際應重視文化層面。
歐盟條約附錄：於共同外交安全政策中宣示多種語言之使用。
大會同意，語言的使用應與歐洲共同體法則一致。
在COREU*的溝通上，現行之「歐洲政治合作」將暫時作為指導原則。
所有向歐洲會議提出或經會議採行之共同外交與安全政策、以及大會即將出版之政策的內容應立即且同時地翻譯成共同體所有成員的官方語言。
* COREU, correspondence européenne, 一種經特殊保護設計，使歐盟會員國間可以傳遞高度機密訊息及文件的通訊管道。詳見：Jennifer D.P. Moroney, “The Breakdown Of The Common Foreign and Security Policy - Existing Internal Problems.” On http://www.ul.ie/~govsoc/ulper/1996/ARTICLES/
Jennif.htm。
Treaty of European Union
The Treaty of European Union contains a number of provisions relating to language. It was signed in Maastricht by Foreign and Finance Ministers of Member States on 7 February 1992.
Article 126
1. The Community shall contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between member states and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action, while fully respecting the responsibility of the member states for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.
2. Community action shall be aimed at...
developing the European dimension in education, particularly through the teaching and dissemination of the languages of the member states;
Article 128
1. The Community shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the member states, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore...
4. The Community shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of this Treaty.
Appendix to the Treaty on European Union: Declaration on the Use of Languages in the Field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy
The Conference agrees that the use of the languages shall be in accordance with the rules of the European Communities.
For COREU communications, the current European Political Cooperation will serve as a guide for the time being.
All common foreign and security policy texts which are submitted to or adopted at meetings of the European Council and of the Council as well as all texts which are to be published are immediately and simultaneously translated into all the official Community languages.
■關於地區性或少數族群語言之歐洲憲章
史特拉斯堡，1992年11月5日
前言
歐洲議會之簽署會員國於此，
鑑於歐洲議會之目標是在於達成其會員國之間較緊密的團結，尤其是為了保衛與實現其共同資產之理想與原則；
鑑於保護歐洲歷史上之地區性或少數族群語言（其中某些有永久消失之虞）有助於維持和發展歐洲的文化富裕與傳統；
鑑於在私人或公共生活中使用地區性或少數族群語言是一項不可被剝奪的權利，與『聯合國公民與政治權利國際公約』中的原則一致，亦符合『歐洲議會保障人權與基本自由公約』的精神；
鑑於在「歐洲安全與合作會議」(CSCE) 內所完成的工作，尤其是1975年『赫爾辛基最後議定書』以及1990年哥本哈根會議文件；
強調文化交流及多語言主義的價值，以及考慮到對於地區性或少數族群語言的保護和鼓勵不應為了學習官方語言的需要而受到破壞；
了解在歐洲不同國家和地區內保護並提倡地區性或少數族群語言，對於在國家主權和領土完整架構下、根據民主與文化多樣性原則所建立的歐洲而言，代表一項重要的貢獻；
鑑於歐洲各國不同區域內的特殊情況和歷史傳統；
同意下列條文：
第一篇 一般條款
第一條 定義
因本憲章之故：
第一款
「地區性或少數族群語言」所指涉之語言為：第一點
傳統居住於某國特定區域內、人數少於該國其餘人口之族群所使用的語言；以及
第二點
與該國官方語言不同之語言；
不包括該國官方語言之方語或是移民者的語言；第二款
「使用地區性或少數族群語言的地區」意指一地理區塊，其上所使用的語言為某一族群的表達模式，適用於本憲章提供之各種保護與提倡措施；
第三款
「非地區性語言」意指為一國國民所使用、卻不同於該國其餘人口的語言，儘管其傳統之使用範圍在該國境內，但無法被確認為專屬於某特定地區。
第二條 承諾
第一項
每一簽署國承諾第二篇的條款適用於其領域內所有地區性或少數族群語言，以及符合第一條之定義者。
第二項
根據第三條，關於在批准、接受或同意時所明列的每一種語言，各簽署國承諾至少得適用於從本憲章第三篇中所選擇的三十五段條款，包括至少從第八條和第十二條中各選三段，以及從第九、第十、第十一和第十三條中各選一段。
第三條 實際安排
第一項
各簽署國應在其批准、接受或同意之文件中明列出每一種地區性或少數族群語言，或較少在全部或部分地區使用的官方語言；根據第二條第二項所挑選的各項規定應適用於這些語言上。
第二項
任何簽署國在往後任何時間均可通知秘書長，其接受本憲章中任何未列於其所批准、接受或同意之文件內的條款所規範的義務，或者其將令本條第一項規定適用於其他地區性或少數族群語言，或其他較少在全部或部分地區使用的官方語言。
第三項
前述承諾應被視為批准、接受或同意的一部分，並自其通知日起具有同等效力。
第四條 現有之保護機制
第一項
本憲章之內容不應被解釋為限制或減損『歐洲人權公約』當中所確保的任何權利。
第二項
本憲章之條款不應影響任何對於地區性或少數族群語言之地位較有利的規定，或影響可能存在於簽署國內，或由相關之雙邊或多邊國際協約所提供之屬於少數族群的合法政權。
第五條 現有義務
本憲章不得被解釋為暗示有權從事或採行任何抵觸聯合國憲章之目的或國際法規定之其他義務（包括國家主權與領土完整原則）的活動或行為。
第六條 告知
簽署國承諾務必將本憲章所規定之權利和責任告知相關機構、組織與人員。
第二篇 根據第二條第一項所追求之目標與原則
第七條 目標和原則
第一項
在使用地區性或少數族群語言的地區內，根據每種語言的情況，各簽署國將以下列目標和原則作為其政策、法律和政務執行的基礎：第一款
承認地區性或少數族群語言為文化資產的一種表現；
第二款
尊重各地區性或少數族群語言通行之地理區，以確保現有的或新的行政單位劃分不會對提倡該地區性或少數族群語言造成阻礙；
第三款
需要堅決的行動來提倡地區性或少數族群語言以保護之；
第四款
促進並且／或者鼓勵以說和寫的方式、在公共和私人生活中使用地區性或少數族群語言；
第五款
於本憲章所涵蓋的範圍內，在一國使用地區性或少數族群語言的族群和其他使用相同或類似形式語言之族群間保持和發展聯結關係，並且與該國使用其他語言的族群間建立文化關係；
第六款
在各個合適階段提供教授與學習地區性或少數族群語言之合適的形式與方法；
第七款
提供設備讓有志於學習地區性或少數族群語言的人居住在使用該種語言的地區以利其學習；
第八款
在大學或同等機構內提倡對地區性或少數族群語言的學習和研究；
第九款
於本憲章所涵蓋的範圍內，針對在兩國或數國內使用相同或類似形式之地區性或少數族群語言，提倡適當的跨國交流方式。第二項
各簽署國承諾，若其尚未實施，將消除有關使用地區性或少數族群語言之任何不正當的差別待遇、排拒、限制或偏愛，以及為阻止或破壞該語言之保持或發展的嘗試。而針對地區性或少數族群語言之特別措施，目的在於促進這些語言使用者與其他人之間的平等或其他必要之情況，則不會被視為對多數語言使用者的歧視。
第三項
各簽署國承諾以適當措施，促進國內所有語言族群之間的相互了解，尤其將對地區性或少數族群語言的尊重、了解和包容，涵括入國內所提供之教育和訓練的目標，並鼓勵大眾媒體追求相同目標。
第四項
在決定對地區性或少數族群語言的政策時，各簽署國應考慮使用該語言之族群所表達的需要和希望。他們被鼓勵在必要情況下設立組織，以及針對有關地區性或少數族群語言的所有事務向當局提供建言。
第五項
各簽署國承諾上述一至四項所列舉之原則，在適當修正後，適用於非地區性語言。但就這些語言而言，為實行本憲章所採取之措施的性質與範圍應以彈性的方式來決定，並且牢記使用該語言之族群的需要和希望，以及尊重它們的傳統和特色。
第三篇 根據第二條第二項之承諾，提倡在公共生活中使用地區性或少數族群語言之措施
第八條 教育
第一項
對於教育，簽署國承諾，在這些語言使用的地區內，根據這些語言的個別情形，而且不致造成對國家官方語言之教導產生偏見的情況下：第一款
第一點
令其學齡前教育以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第二點
令其學齡前教育有相當程度以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第三點
上述第一、二點之措施至少得適用於當其家人如此要求，以及當其人數足夠時的情況；或
第四點
若政府當局無能力直接實行學齡前教育，應支持和／或鼓勵上述一至三點所提及之措施；第二款
第一點
令其初等教育以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或第二點
令其初等教育有相當程度以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第三點
於初等教育內，提供地區性或少數族群語言之教學作為整體課程的一部分；或
第四點
上述第一至三點之措施至少得適用於當其家人如此要求，以及當其人數足夠時的情況；第三款
第一點
令其中等教育以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第二點
令其中等教育有相當程度以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第三點
於中等教育內，提供地區性或少數族群語言之教學作為整體課程的一部分；或
第四點
上述第一至三點之措施至少得適用於當其家人如此要求，以及當其人數足夠時的情況；第四款
第一點
令其技術和職業教育以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第二點
令其技術和職業教育有相當程度以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第三點
於技術和職業教育內，提供地區性或少數族群語言之教學作為整體課程的一部分；或
第四點
上述第一至三點之措施至少得適用於當其家人如此要求，以及當其人數足夠時的情況；第五款
第一點
令其大學或其他高等教育以該地區性或少數族群語言教授；或
第二點
提供設備讓學習這些語言成為大學和高等教育的目標；或
第三點
若因考慮到國家之於高等教育機構的角色，無法運用上述一、二點時，則鼓勵和／或允許提供地區性或少數族群語言的大學或其他形式之高等教育，或提供設備讓學習這些語言成為大學和高等教育的目標；第六款
第一點
安排提供主要或全部以地區性或少數族群語言進行之成人和終身教育課程；或
第二點
提供這些語言作為成人和終身教育的學習目標；
第三點
若政府當局無能力直接實行成人教育，則應支持和／或鼓勵提供這些語言作為成人和終身教育的目標；第七款
安排確保教授能夠由地區性或少數族群語言所反應出來之歷史和文化；
第八款
提供對實行簽署國所接受之一至七款所需之教師的基礎和進一步訓練；
第九款
設置一個或數個監督團體，負責監控為建設或發展地區性或少數族群語言之教學所採取的措施和所完成的進度，並且對其的結果製作定期報告，加以公開。第二項
至於在傳統使用地區性或少數族群語言之區域以外的教育，各簽署國承諾，如果地區性或少數族群語言的多數使用者認為恰當，則允許、鼓勵或提供地區性或少數族群語言之教學於所有合適之階段教育。
第九條 司法當局
第一項
各簽署國承諾，在使用地區性或少數族群語言之居民具有一定數量的轄區，根據這些語言的個別情況，並且在不被法官認為阻礙適當之司法行政的前提下，得適用以下措施：第一款
在刑事訴訟上：第一點
令法院在一方當事者的請求下，以地區性或少數族群語言進行訴訟；以及／或者
第二點
確保被告有權使用其地區性或少數族群語言；以及／或者
第三點
令不論是書面或口頭的要求和證據，不得因其地區性或少數族群語言的形式而被視為無效；以及／或者
第四點
依請求，以地區性或少數族群語言提出法律訴訟程序相關文件，
在必要情況下，不得向當事者收取口譯或筆譯的費用；第二款
在民事訴訟上：第一點
令法院在一方當事者的請求下，以地區性或少數族群語言進行訴訟；以及／或者
第二點
令當事者在必須親自出庭時得使用其地區性或少數族群語言，不會因此產生額外費用；以及／或者
第三點
允許以地區性或少數族群語言提出文件和證據，
在必要情況下得使用口譯或筆譯；第三款
有關行政事務之訴訟：第一點
令法院在一方當事者的請求下，以地區性或少數族群語言進行訴訟；以及／或者
第二點
令當事者在必須親自出庭時得使用其地區性或少數族群語言，不會因此產生額外費用；以及／或者
第三點
允許以地區性或少數族群語言提出文件和證據，
在必要情況下得使用口譯或筆譯；第四款
採取行動以確保證適用上述第二、三款之第一至三點，以及在必要情況下使用口譯或筆譯將不會令當事者需支付額外的費用。第二項
各簽署國承諾：第一款
不因國內之法律文件以地區性或少數族群語言簽署而否認其效力；或
第二款
不因兩國之間的法律文件以地區性或少數族群語言簽署而否認其效力，並且除非已將文件之內容告知非使用這些語言之第三者，否則不能援引該文件以傷害其利益；或
第三款
不因兩國之間的法律文件以地區性或少數族群語言簽署而否認其效力第三項
各簽署國承諾將提供地區性或少數族群語言版本的國內重要法律條文，以及特別與這些語言者使用者有關的法條，除非其已從另外的管道獲得。
第十條 行政當局和公共服務
第一項
各簽署國承諾在合理可行的範圍內，在使用地區性或少數族群語言之居民具有一定數量之國內行政區中，根據這些語言的個別情況，適用下列措施：第一款
第一點
確保行政當局使用地區性或少數族群語言；或
第二點
確保與民眾接觸的官員以地區性或少數族群語言回覆以同樣語言向其申辦事務的民眾；或
第三點
確保民眾得使用地區性或少數族群語言提出口頭或書面申請，並且獲得以這些語言所作成的答覆；或
第四點
確保民眾得使用地區性或少數族群語言提出口頭或書面申請；或
第五點
確保民眾得有效地以地區性或少數族群語言提交文件；第二款
廣泛提供民眾以地區性或少數族群語言或雙語形式所製作成的文書資料或表格；
第三款
允許行政當局以地區性或少數族群語言書寫文件。第二項
各簽署國承諾，在使用地區性或少數族群語言之居民具有一定數量之地方或區域機構中，允許並且／或者鼓勵：第一款
於區域或地方當局架構中使用地區性或少數族群語言；
第二款
令地區性或少數族群語言使用者得以這些語言提出口頭或書面的申請書；
第三款
令區域機關同樣以其地區性或少數族群語言出版官方文件；
第四款
令地方當局同樣以其地區性或少數族群語言出版官方文件；
第五款
區域機構得於 其議會討論中使用地區性或少數族群語言，但是不排除使用國家官方語言；
第六款
地區當局得於其議會討論中使用地區性或少數族群語言，但是不排除使用國家官方語言
第七款
以地區性或少數族群語言使用或採用傳統及正確的地名形式，並於必要情況時與官方名稱並列。第三項
各簽署國承諾，關於由行政當局或其代表所提供之公共服務，在地區性或少數族群語言使用的地區內，根據每一種語言的情形，在合理可行之範圍內：第一款
確保以該地區性或少數族群語言提供服務；或
第二款
允許民眾以地區性或少數族群語言提出請求，並以該種語言獲得回覆；或
第三款
允許民眾以地區性或少數族群語言提出請求第四項
各簽署國承諾，為了使其所接受之第一至三項條文生效，將採取以下一種或數種措施：第一款
根據要求提供筆譯或口譯；
第二款
招聘，以及在必要時，訓練所需之官員或其他公務員；
第三款
儘可能答應具地區性或少數族群語言知識之公務員的請求，令其得以被指派至使用該種語言的地區。
第五項
各簽署國允諾令相關人士提出要求時，得以地區性或少數族群語言使用或採用其家姓。
第十一條 媒體
第一項
各簽署國承諾，政府機關在其限度內，為地區性或少數族群語言之使用者於其語言區內，根據每種語言的情形，有能力直接或間接地使用權力或扮演某種角色，並尊重媒體之獨立自主原則：第一款
在電台和電視執行公共服務的任務上：第一點
確保至少設立一個地區性或少數族群語言的廣播電台和電視頻道；或
第二點
鼓勵並且／或者促進至少設立一個地區性或少數族群語言的廣播電台和電視頻道；或
第三點
制定合適的規定使廣播業者可以提供地區性或少數族群語言的節目；第二款
第一點
鼓勵並且／或者促進至少設立一個地區性或少數族群語言的廣播電台；或
第二點
鼓勵並且／或者促進電台定期以地區性或少數族群語言播送節目；第三款
第一點
鼓勵並且／或者促進至少設立一個地區性或少數族群語言的電視頻道；或
第二點
鼓勵並且／或者促進電視台定期以地區性或少數族群語言播送節目；第四款
鼓勵並且／或者促進以地區性或少數族群語言製作和傳播聲音與視聽作品；
第五款第一點
鼓勵並且／或者促進創立以及／或者保持至少一種地區性或少數族群語言的報紙；
第二點
鼓勵並且／或者促進定期在報紙上以地區性或少數族群語言刊登文章；第六款
第一點
補助使用地區性或少數族群語言的媒體的額外花費，無論法律是否有一般性對媒體之財政協助的規定；
第二點
亦將目前的財政協助措施運用在以地區性或少數族群語言製作的視聽作品上；第七款
支持訓練使用地區性或少數族群語言之媒體的新聞記者與其他職員。第二項
各簽署國允諾確保直接接受來自與地區性或少數族群語言使用相同或類似形式之語言的鄰國電台或電視廣播的自由，並且不反對傳播來自鄰國之電台或電視、以該種語言播送的內容。其進一步承諾，保證不限制以與地區性或少數族群語言之形式相同或類似的語言表達意見或以書面方式流通資訊。上述自由的實行，因其帶有義務和責任，為了保障國家安全、領土完整或公共安全，為了防止失序或犯罪，為了保護健康或道德，為了保護其他人的尊嚴或權利，為了防止洩露以保密形式接受的資料，或為了維持司法的權威和公平，必須遵照民主社會必要法律規範之形式、條件、限制或懲罰。
第三項
各簽署國允諾，地區性或少數族群語言使用者的權益將被展現在以保障媒體自由和多元之責任相關法律而設立的團體之中，或被納入考量。
第十二條 文化活動和設施
第一項
簽署國承諾，關於文化活動和設施 – 尤其是圖書館、影像圖書館、文化中心、博物館、檔案中心，學術機構、劇院和電影院，以及文學作品的電影製作、方言形式的文化表現、節慶和文化工業，尤其是包括新技術的使用－在地區性或少數族群語言使用的地區內，政府當局於其限度，有資格在此領域行使權力或扮演角色：第一款
鼓勵特別針對地區性或少數族群語言的各種表達與創始活動，並且培養不同的、可以取得這些語言作品的途徑；
第二款
利用輔助及發展翻譯、配音、後製，以及製作字幕等不同的方法促成以其他語言取得地區性或少數族群語言作品；
第三款
利用輔助及發展翻譯、配音、後製，以及製作字幕等不同的方法促成地區性或少數族群語言取得其他語言作品；
第四款
保證負責組織或支持各種文化活動的團體，可因在他們所提倡的，或他們所支持的活動中，融合地區性或少數族群語言和文化之知識和使用，而獲得適當補貼；
第五款
提倡相關措施以保證負責組織或支持各種文化活動的團體，擁有他們自己的、可完全掌握相關地區性或少數族群語言以及其餘人口所使用之語言的職員；
第六款
鼓勵特定地區性或少數族群語言使用者的代表直接參與提供設施以及策劃文化活動；
第七款
鼓勵並且／或者促進設立一個或數個團體，負責收集、展示或出版地區性或少數族群語言的作品並製作副本；
第八款
於必要情況下，創造並且／或者促進、並補助翻譯和術語研究服務，特別是關於保持和發展地區性或少數族群語言之適當的行政、商業、經濟、社會、技術或法律術語。
第二項
至於非傳統上使用地區性或少數族群語言之區域，若一定數目之該地區性或少數族群語言使用者認為適當，則各簽署國允許、鼓勵並且／或者根據前述條款提供適當的文代活動和設施。
第三項
各簽署國承諾當其致力於海外文化政策時，將為地區性或少數族群語言及其所反應的文化制定適當規範。
第十三條 經濟和社會生活
第一項
關於經濟和社會生活，簽署國承諾於全國：第一款
消除其法律中任何無正當理由而在有關經濟和社會生活之文件中禁止或限制使用地區性或少數族群語言的規定，尤其是聘僱合約和技術性文件，例如產品的使用與安裝說明書；
第二款
禁止在公司內部規章和私人文件插入排除或限制使用地區性或少數族群語言的任何條款，至少在該種語言的使用者之間不得如此；
第三款
反對設計程序以阻止在經濟或社會相關活動中使用地區性或少數族群語言；
第四款
促進並且／或者鼓勵利用上述各款規定以外的其他方法來使用地區性或少數族群語言。第二項
關於經濟和社會活動，各簽署國承諾，於地區性或少數族群語言使用的地區、並在政府當局合理可行的權限範圍內：第一款
於其財政和金融法規中，透過與商業實務相容的程序，允許使用以地區性或少數族群語言寫成的付款單（支票、匯票等），或其他金融文件，或於適當情況下，保證這些規定的執行；
第二款
於其直接控制的經濟和社會部門（政府部門）中，組織活動以提倡地區性或少數族群語言之使用；
第三款
確保社會關懷設施，如醫院及養老院，以其語言收留並且醫治使用地區性或少數族群語言、因為生病、年老或其他理由而需要照顧的人；
第四款
以適當方式確保亦用地區性或少數族群語言書寫安全說明；
第五款
由法定政府當局所提供之有關消費者權利的資訊應備有地區性或少數族群語言之版本。
第十四條 跨國交流
各簽署國承諾：
第一款
適用連結其與使用相同或類似語言國家之既存的雙邊與多邊合約，或者在必要的情況時，訂立此等協議，以促進各國相同語言使用者之間的文化、教育、資訊、職業訓練以及終身教育等；
第二款
為了地區性或少數族群語言的利益，促進並且／或者提倡跨國合作，尤其是在使用相同或類似形式語言的區域或地方政府之間。
第四篇 憲章之適用
第十五條 定期報告
第一項
各簽署國應定期以部長會議規定之格式向歐洲議會秘書長提交關於其根據本憲章第二篇所執行之政策、以及應用其所接受之第三篇規定而採行之措施的報告。第一次報告應在簽署國批准此憲章後的一年內提出，其餘的報告則在第一次報告後每三年提出。
第二項
各簽署國應公開其報告。
第十六條 報告之審查
第一項
根據第十五條提交於歐洲議會秘書長的報告，必須由根據第十七條所組成的專家委員會審查。
第二項
根據本憲章第三篇之承諾事項在簽署國內依法成立的團體或協會將受到專家委員會的注意。在諮詢過相關簽署國之後，專家委員會會將此資料作為製作以下第三項所規定之報告的準備事項。這些團體或協會可進一步提交有關簽署國依憲章第二篇所執行之政策的聲明書。
第三項
根據第一項所規定之報告以及第二項所提及之資料，專家委員會應準備一分報告提交予部長會議。此份報告應附有簽署國經要求所提出的意見，並且得由部長會議加以公開。
第四項
第三段所指涉之報告應特別包含專家委員會交予部長會議的提案，以備後者針對一個或數個簽署國可能的要求，而給予建議。
第五項
歐洲議會秘書長應每兩年向大會提出關於本憲章適用情形之詳細報告。
第十七條 專家委員會
第一項
專家委員會之成員由各簽署國提名、經部長會議委任所組成。該名成員必須具有高度正直性，並且在處理本憲章的事情上具有被認可的能力。
第二項
委員會成員的任期六年，得連任。無法完成任期者，應根據以第一段所規定之程序選出替補成員，並完成前任任期。
第三項
專家委員會應採程序規則。其秘書之職務由歐洲議會秘書長委任。
第三十條
第一項
政府必須採取適當的措施，在原住民所關心的傳統與文化方面，使其能了解應負擔的權利與義務，特別是在勞工方面、經濟機會、教育與健康方面、社會福利，與源自本條約所產生的各項權利。
第二項
如有必要，得經由書寫翻譯和使用該原住民語言之大眾傳播媒體的方式公告週知。
第五篇 最後規定
第十八條
本憲章開放接受給歐洲議會會員國之簽署。其必須被批准、接受或同意。批准、接受或同意的文件由歐洲議會秘書長存放。
第十九條
第一項
本憲章經五個歐洲議會會員國表示其同意根據第十八條的規定遵守本憲章後三個月期滿之次月的第一天開始生效。
第二項
至於後來表示同意遵守本憲章的任何會員國，本憲章將於其批准、接受或同意之文件經存放後三個月期滿之次月的第一天開始生效。
第二十條
第一項
本憲章生效後，歐洲議會之部長會議可邀請非歐洲議會之會員國同意接受本憲章之規範。
第二項
至於任何表示同意之國家，本憲章將於其同意之文件存放在歐洲議會秘書長處後的三個月期滿之次月的第一天開始生效。
第二十一條
第一項
任何國家，於簽署之時，或於其批准、接受、同意或承認之文件經存放時，可保留本憲章第七條之二至五項的其中一項或數項。其餘則不可保留。
第二項
任何根據前段已做了保留的簽約國，可藉由通知歐洲議會秘書長的方式撤回其全部或部分保留。此撤回聲名在秘書長收到該通知當日即生效。
第二十二條
第一項
任何簽署國可隨時藉由通知歐洲議會秘書長的方式，終止本憲章。
第二項
此種終止將從秘書長收到通知後六個月期滿之次月的第一天開始生效。
第二十三條
歐洲議會秘長長應通知議會會員國，以及同意本憲章的任何國家關於：
第一款
任何簽署；
第二款
任何批准、接受或同意或承認文件的存放；
第三款
任何根據第十九條和第二十條而令本憲章生效的日期；
第四款
所收到任何申請適用第三條第二項的通知；
第五款
任何有關本憲章之其他行為、公告或交流。
為昭信實，以下簽署者經適當授權，簽署本憲章。
1992年11月5日於史特拉斯堡以英語和法語寫成，兩種版本具同樣效力，正本存放於歐洲議會檔案室內。歐洲議會秘書長應將此經證實的副本傳送至歐洲議會各會員國，以及受邀同意此憲章的任何國家。
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Strasbourg, 5.XI.1992
Preamble
The member States of the Council of Europe signatory hereto,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members, particularly for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage;
Considering that the protection of the historical regional or minority languages of Europe, some of which are in danger of eventual extinction, contributes to the maintenance and development of Europe's cultural wealth and traditions;
Considering that the right to use a regional or minority language in private and public life is an inalienable right conforming to the principles embodied in the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and according to the spirit of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
Having regard to the work carried out within the CSCE and in particular to the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the document of the Copenhagen Meeting of 1990;
Stressing the value of interculturalism and multilingualism and considering that the protection and encouragement of regional or minority languages should not be to the detriment of the official languages and the need to learn them;
Realising that the protection and promotion of regional or minority languages in the different countries and regions of Europe represent an important contribution to the building of a Europe based on the principles of democracy and cultural diversity within the framework of national sovereignty and territorial integrity;
Taking into consideration the specific conditions and historical traditions in the different regions of the European States,
Have agreed as follows:
Part I – General provisions
Article 1 – Definitions
For the purposes of this Charter:
a."regional or minority languages" means languages that are:
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.
Article 5 – Existing obligations
Nothing in this Charter may be interpreted as implying any right to engage in any activity or perform any action in contravention of the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations or other obligations under international law, including the principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
Article 6 – Information
The Parties undertake to see to it that the authorities, organisations and persons concerned are informed of the rights and duties established by this Charter.
Part II – Objectives and principles pursued in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1
Article 7 – Objectives and principles
1.In respect of regional or minority languages, within the territories in which such languages are used and according to the situation of each language, the Parties shall base their policies, legislation and practice on the following objectives and principles:
a.the recognition of the regional or minority languages as an expression of cultural wealth;
b.the respect of the geographical area of each regional or minority language in order to ensure that existing or new administrative divisions do not constitute an obstacle to the promotion of the regional or minority language in question;
c.the need for resolute action to promote regional or minority languages in order to safeguard them;
d.the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of regional or minority languages, in speech and writing, in public and private life;
e.the maintenance and development of links, in the fields covered by this Charter, between groups using a regional or minority language and other groups in the State employing a language used in identical or similar form, as well as the establishment of cultural relations with other groups in the State using different languages;
f.the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of regional or minority languages at all appropriate stages;
g.the provision of facilities enabling non-speakers of a regional or minority language living in the area where it is used to learn it if they so desire;
h.the promotion of study and research on regional or minority languages at universities or equivalent institutions;
i.the promotion of appropriate types of transnational exchanges, in the fields covered by this Charter, for regional or minority languages used in identical or similar form in two or more States.2.The Parties undertake to eliminate, if they have not yet done so, any unjustified distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference relating to the use of a regional or minority language and intended to discourage or endanger the maintenance or development of it. The adoption of special measures in favour of regional or minority languages aimed at promoting equality between the users of these languages and the rest of the population or which take due account of their specific conditions is not considered to be an act of discrimination against the users of more widely-used languages.
3.The Parties undertake to promote, by appropriate measures, mutual understanding between all the linguistic groups of the country and in particular the inclusion of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to regional or minority languages among the objectives of education and training provided within their countries and encouragement of the mass media to pursue the same objective.
4.In determining their policy with regard to regional or minority languages, the Parties shall take into consideration the needs and wishes expressed by the groups which use such languages. They are encouraged to establish bodies, if necessary, for the purpose of advising the authorities on all matters pertaining to regional or minority languages.
5.The Parties undertake to apply, mutatis mutandis, the principles listed in paragraphs 1 to 4 above to non-territorial languages. However, as far as these languages are concerned, the nature and scope of the measures to be taken to give effect to this Charter shall be determined in a flexible manner, bearing in mind the needs and wishes, and respecting the traditions and characteristics, of the groups which use the languages concerned.
Part III – Measures to promote the use of regional or minority languages in public life in accordance with the undertakings entered into under Article 2, paragraph 2
Article 8 – Education
1.With regard to education, the Parties undertake, within the territory in which such languages are used, according to the situation of each of these languages, and without prejudice to the teaching of the official language(s) of the State:
a.
i.to make available pre-school education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
ii.to make available a substantial part of pre-school education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
iii.to apply one of the measures provided for under i and ii above at least to those pupils whose families so request and whose number is considered sufficient; or
iv.if the public authorities have no direct competence in the field of pre-school education, to favour and/or encourage the application of the measures referred to under i to iii above;b.
i.to make available primary education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
ii.to make available a substantial part of primary education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
iii.to provide, within primary education, for the teaching of the relevant regional or minority languages as an integral part of the curriculum; or
iv.to apply one of the measures provided for under i to iii above at least to those pupils whose families so request and whose number is considered sufficient;c.
i.to make available secondary education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
ii.to make available a substantial part of secondary education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
iii.to provide, within secondary education, for the teaching of the relevant regional or minority languages as an integral part of the curriculum; or
iv.to apply one of the measures provided for under i to iii above at least to those pupils who, or where appropriate whose families, so wish in a number considered sufficient;d.
i.to make available technical and vocational education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
ii.to make available a substantial part of technical and vocational education in the relevant regional or minority languages; or
iii.to provide, within technical and vocational education, for the teaching of the relevant regional or minority languages as an integral part of the curriculum; or
iv.to apply one of the measures provided for under i to iii above at least to those pupils who, or where appropriate whose families, so wish in a number considered sufficient;e.
i.to make available university and other higher education in regional or minority languages; or
ii.to provide facilities for the study of these languages as university and higher education subjects; or
iii.if, by reason of the role of the State in relation to higher education institutions, sub-paragraphs i and ii cannot be applied, to encourage and/or allow the provision of university or other forms of higher education in regional or minority languages or of facilities for the study of these languages as university or higher education subjects;f.
i.to arrange for the provision of adult and continuing education courses which are taught mainly or wholly in the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to offer such languages as subjects of adult and continuing education; or
iii.if the public authorities have no direct competence in the field of adult education, to favour and/or encourage the offering of such languages as subjects of adult and continuing education;g.to make arrangements to ensure the teaching of the history and the culture which is reflected by the regional or minority language;
h.to provide the basic and further training of the teachers required to implement those of paragraphs a to g accepted by the Party;
i.to set up a supervisory body or bodies responsible for monitoring the measures taken and progress achieved in establishing or developing the teaching of regional or minority languages and for drawing up periodic reports of their findings, which will be made public.2.With regard to education and in respect of territories other than those in which the regional or minority languages are traditionally used, the Parties undertake, if the number of users of a regional or minority language justifies it, to allow, encourage or provide teaching in or of the regional or minority language at all the appropriate stages of education.
Article 9 – Judicial authorities
1.The Parties undertake, in respect of those judicial districts in which the number of residents using the regional or minority languages justifies the measures specified below, according to the situation of each of these languages and on condition that the use of the facilities afforded by the present paragraph is not considered by the judge to hamper the proper administration of justice:
a.in criminal proceedings:
i.to provide that the courts, at the request of one of the parties, shall conduct the proceedings in the regional or minority languages; and/or
ii.to guarantee the accused the right to use his/her regional or minority language; and/or
iii.to provide that requests and evidence, whether written or oral, shall not be considered inadmissible solely because they are formulated in a regional or minority language; and/or
iv.to produce, on request, documents connected with legal proceedings in the relevant regional or minority language,
if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations involving no extra expense for the persons concerned;b.in civil proceedings:
i.to provide that the courts, at the request of one of the parties, shall conduct the proceedings in the regional or minority languages; and/or
ii.to allow, whenever a litigant has to appear in person before a court, that he or she may use his or her regional or minority language without thereby incurring additional expense; and/or
iii.to allow documents and evidence to be produced in the regional or minority languages, if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations;c.in proceedings before courts concerning administrative matters:
i.to provide that the courts, at the request of one of the parties, shall conduct the proceedings in the regional or minority languages; and/or
ii.to allow, whenever a litigant has to appear in person before a court, that he or she may use his or her regional or minority language without thereby incurring additional expense; and/or
iii.to allow documents and evidence to be produced in the regional or minority languages,
if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations;d.to take steps to ensure that the application of sub-paragraphs i and iii of paragraphs b and c above and any necessary use of interpreters and translations does not involve extra expense for the persons concerned.
2.The Parties undertake:
a.not to deny the validity of legal documents drawn up within the State solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language; or
b.not to deny the validity, as between the parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language, and to provide that they can be invoked against interested third parties who are not users of these languages on condition that the contents of the document are made known to them by the person(s) who invoke(s) it; or
c.not to deny the validity, as between the parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language.3.The Parties undertake to make available in the regional or minority languages the most important national statutory texts and those relating particularly to users of these languages, unless they are otherwise provided.
Article 10 – Administrative authorities and public services
1.Within the administrative districts of the State in which the number of residents who are users of regional or minority languages justifies the measures specified below and according to the situation of each language, the Parties undertake, as far as this is reasonably possible:
a.
i.to ensure that the administrative authorities use the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to ensure that such of their officers as are in contact with the public use the regional or minority languages in their relations with persons applying to them in these languages; or
iii.to ensure that users of regional or minority languages may submit oral or written applications and receive a reply in these languages; or
iv.to ensure that users of regional or minority languages may submit oral or written applications in these languages; or
v.to ensure that users of regional or minority languages may validly submit a document in these languages;b.to make available widely used administrative texts and forms for the population in the regional or minority languages or in bilingual versions;
c.to allow the administrative authorities to draft documents in a regional or minority language.2.In respect of the local and regional authorities on whose territory the number of residents who are users of regional or minority languages is such as to justify the measures specified below, the Parties undertake to allow and/or encourage:
a.the use of regional or minority languages within the framework of the regional or local authority;
b.the possibility for users of regional or minority languages to submit oral or written applications in these languages;
c.the publication by regional authorities of their official documents also in the relevant regional or minority languages;
d.the publication by local authorities of their official documents also in the relevant regional or minority languages;
e.the use by regional authorities of regional or minority languages in debates in their assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the official language(s) of the State;
f.the use by local authorities of regional or minority languages in debates in their assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the official language(s) of the State;
g.the use or adoption, if necessary in conjunction with the name in the official language(s), of traditional and correct forms of place-names in regional or minority languages.3.With regard to public services provided by the administrative authorities or other persons acting on their behalf, the Parties undertake, within the territory in which regional or minority languages are used, in accordance with the situation of each language and as far as this is reasonably possible:
a.to ensure that the regional or minority languages are used in the provision of the service; or
b.to allow users of regional or minority languages to submit a request and receive a reply in these languages; or
c.to allow users of regional or minority languages to submit a request in these languages.4.With a view to putting into effect those provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 accepted by them, the Parties undertake to take one or more of the following measures:
a.translation or interpretation as may be required;
b.recruitment and, where necessary, training of the officials and other public service employees required;
c.compliance as far as possible with requests from public service employees having a knowledge of a regional or minority language to be appointed in the territory in which that language is used.5.The Parties undertake to allow the use or adoption of family names in the regional or minority languages, at the request of those concerned.
Article 11 – Media
1.The Parties undertake, for the users of the regional or minority languages within the territories in which those languages are spoken, according to the situation of each language, to the extent that the public authorities, directly or indirectly, are competent, have power or play a role in this field, and respecting the principle of the independence and autonomy of the media:
a.to the extent that radio and television carry out a public service mission:
i.to ensure the creation of at least one radio station and one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one radio station and one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or
iii.to make adequate provision so that broadcasters offer programmes in the regional or minority languages;b.
i.to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one radio station in the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to encourage and/or facilitate the broadcasting of radio programmes in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis;c.
i.to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one television channel in the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to encourage and/or facilitate the broadcasting of television programmes in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis;
d.to encourage and/or facilitate the production and distribution of audio and audiovisual works in the regional or minority languages;e.
i.to encourage and/or facilitate the creation and/or maintenance of at least one newspaper in the regional or minority languages; or
ii.to encourage and/or facilitate the publication of newspaper articles in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis;f.
i.to cover the additional costs of those media which use regional or minority languages, wherever the law provides for financial assistance in general for the media; or
ii.to apply existing measures for financial assistance also to audiovisual productions in the regional or minority languages;
g.to support the training of journalists and other staff for media using regional or minority languages.2.The Parties undertake to guarantee freedom of direct reception of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language, and not to oppose the retransmission of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in such a language. They further undertake to ensure that no restrictions will be placed on the freedom of expression and free circulation of information in the written press in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language. The exercise of the above-mentioned freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
3.The Parties undertake to ensure that the interests of the users of regional or minority languages are represented or taken into account within such bodies as may be established in accordance with the law with responsibility for guaranteeing the freedom and pluralism of the media.
Article 12 – Cultural activities and facilities
1.With regard to cultural activities and facilities – especially libraries, video libraries, cultural centres, museums, archives, academies, theatres and cinemas, as well as literary work and film production, vernacular forms of cultural expression, festivals and the culture industries, including inter alia the use of new technologies – the Parties undertake, within the territory in which such languages are used and to the extent that the public authorities are competent, have power or play a role in this field:
a.to encourage types of expression and initiative specific to regional or minority languages and foster the different means of access to works produced in these languages;
b.to foster the different means of access in other languages to works produced in regional or minority languages by aiding and developing translation, dubbing, post-synchronisation and subtitling activities;
c.to foster access in regional or minority languages to works produced in other languages by aiding and developing translation, dubbing, post-synchronisation and subtitling activities;
d.to ensure that the bodies responsible for organising or supporting cultural activities of various kinds make appropriate allowance for incorporating the knowledge and use of regional or minority languages and cultures in the undertakings which they initiate or for which they provide backing;
e.to promote measures to ensure that the bodies responsible for organising or supporting cultural activities have at their disposal staff who have a full command of the regional or minority language concerned, as well as of the language(s) of the rest of the population;
f.to encourage direct participation by representatives of the users of a given regional or minority language in providing facilities and planning cultural activities;
g.to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of a body or bodies responsible for collecting, keeping a copy of and presenting or publishing works produced in the regional or minority languages;
h.if necessary, to create and/or promote and finance translation and terminological research services, particularly with a view to maintaining and developing appropriate administrative, commercial, economic, social, technical or legal terminology in each regional or minority language.2.In respect of territories other than those in which the regional or minority languages are traditionally used, the Parties undertake, if the number of users of a regional or minority language justifies it, to allow, encourage and/or provide appropriate cultural activities and facilities in accordance with the preceding paragraph.
3.The Parties undertake to make appropriate provision, in pursuing their cultural policy abroad, for regional or minority languages and the cultures they reflect.
Article 13 – Economic and social life
1.With regard to economic and social activities, the Parties undertake, within the whole country:
a.to eliminate from their legislation any provision prohibiting or limiting without justifiable reasons the use of regional or minority languages in documents relating to economic or social life, particularly contracts of employment, and in technical documents such as instructions for the use of products or installations;
b.to prohibit the insertion in internal regulations of companies and private documents of any clauses excluding or restricting the use of regional or minority languages, at least between users of the same language;
c.to oppose practices designed to discourage the use of regional or minority languages in connection with economic or social activities;
d.to facilitate and/or encourage the use of regional or minority languages by means other than those specified in the above sub-paragraphs.2.With regard to economic and social activities, the Parties undertake, in so far as the public authorities are competent, within the territory in which the regional or minority languages are used, and as far as this is reasonably possible:
a.to include in their financial and banking regulations provisions which allow, by means of procedures compatible with commercial practice, the use of regional or minority languages in drawing up payment orders (cheques, drafts, etc.) or other financial documents, or, where appropriate, to ensure the implementation of such provisions;
b.in the economic and social sectors directly under their control (public sector), to organise activities to promote the use of regional or minority languages;
c.to ensure that social care facilities such as hospitals, retirement homes and hostels offer the possibility of receiving and treating in their own language persons using a regional or minority language who are in need of care on grounds of ill-health, old age or for other reasons;
d.to ensure by appropriate means that safety instructions are also drawn up in regional or minority languages;
e.to arrange for information provided by the competent public authorities concerning the rights of consumers to be made available in regional or minority languages.
Article 14 – Transfrontier exchanges
The Parties undertake:
a.to apply existing bilateral and multilateral agreements which bind them with the States in which the same language is used in identical or similar form, or if necessary to seek to conclude such agreements, in such a way as to foster contacts between the users of the same language in the States concerned in the fields of culture, education, information, vocational training and permanent education;
b.for the benefit of regional or minority languages, to facilitate and/ or promote co-operation across borders, in particular between regional or local authorities in whose territory the same language is used in identical or similar form.
Part IV – Application of the Charter
Article 15 – Periodical reports
1.The Parties shall present periodically to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in a form to be prescribed by the Committee of Ministers, a report on their policy pursued in accordance with Part II of this Charter and on the measures taken in application of those provisions of Part III which they have accepted. The first report shall be presented within the year following the entry into force of the Charter with respect to the Party concerned, the other reports at three-yearly intervals after the first report.
2.The Parties shall make their reports public.
Article 16 – Examination of the reports
1.The reports presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe under Article 15 shall be examined by a committee of experts constituted in accordance with Article 17.
2.Bodies or associations legally established in a Party may draw the attention of the committee of experts to matters relating to the undertakings entered into by that Party under Part III of this Charter. After consulting the Party concerned, the committee of experts may take account of this information in the preparation of the report specified in paragraph 3 below. These bodies or associations can furthermore submit statements concerning the policy pursued by a Party in accordance with Part II.
3.On the basis of the reports specified in paragraph 1 and the information mentioned in paragraph 2, the committee of experts shall prepare a report for the Committee of Ministers. This report shall be accompanied by the comments which the Parties have been requested to make and may be made public by the Committee of Ministers.
4.The report specified in paragraph 3 shall contain in particular the proposals of the committee of experts to the Committee of Ministers for the preparation of such recommendations of the latter body to one or more of the Parties as may be required.
5.The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall make a two-yearly detailed report to the Parliamentary Assembly on the application of the Charter.
Article 17 – Committee of experts
1.The committee of experts shall be composed of one member per Party, appointed by the Committee of Ministers from a list of individuals of the highest integrity and recognised competence in the matters dealt with in the Charter, who shall be nominated by the Party concerned.
2.Members of the committee shall be appointed for a period of six years and shall be eligible for reappointment. A member who is unable to complete a term of office shall be replaced in accordance with the procedure laid down in paragraph 1, and the replacing member shall complete his predecessor's term of office.
3.The committee of experts shall adopt rules of procedure. Its secretarial services shall be provided by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Part V – Final provisions
Article 18
This Charter shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. It is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Article 19
1.This Charter shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which five member States of the Council of Europe have expressed their consent to be bound by the Charter in accordance with the provisions of Article 18.
2.In respect of any member State which subsequently expresses its consent to be bound by it, the Charter shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.
Article 20
1.After the entry into force of this Charter, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any State not a member of the Council of Europe to accede to this Charter.
2.In respect of any acceding State, the Charter shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Article 21
1.Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, make one or more reservations to paragraphs 2 to 5 of Article 7 of this Charter. No other reservation may be made.
2.Any Contracting State which has made a reservation under the preceding paragraph may wholly or partly withdraw it by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The withdrawal shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary General.
Article 22
1.Any Party may at any time denounce this Charter by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2.Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary General.
Article 23
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to this Charter of:
a.any signature;
b.the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;
c.any date of entry into force of this Charter in accordance with Articles 19 and 20;
d.any notification received in application of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 2;
e.any other act, notification or communication relating to this Charter.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Charter.
Done at Strasbourg, this 5th day of November 1992, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each member State of the Council of Europe and to any State invited to accede to this Charter.
■保護少數族群之架構協定
『『保護少數族群之架構協定』於1994年11月10日經部長會議採行。此協定於1995年2月1日開放簽署，並於1998年2月1日生效。截至1999年3月30日，此協定已經二十四個會員國及一個非會員國（阿爾巴尼亞）批准。
此架構協定是第一項討論少數族群權利，其中包括語言權，並且具有法律約束力的多邊條文。
第五條
第一項
簽署國承諾將提倡使少數族群得以維持並發展文化所需的條件，並使其得以保存認同之基本要素，意即他們的宗教、語言、傳統及文化資產。
第六條
第一項
簽署國應鼓勵容忍精神和相異文化間的對話，並採取有效措施以倡導境內所有人民之間的相互尊重、瞭解與合作，不論其種族、文化、語言或宗教認同，尤其在教育、文化及媒體領域上。
第二項
簽署國承諾將採取適當措施以保護可能因其種族、文化、語言或宗教認同而受到歧視、敵意或暴力威脅及對待的人。
第九條
第一項
簽署國承諾將確認少數族群與其他人一樣、亦享有言論自由，包括以其母語提出意見、接受及給予資訊和觀念，不得受公共威權之阻撓且不分國界。簽署國應保證在他們的法律制度下，少數族群接近媒體的權利將不會受到差別待遇。
第十條
第一項
簽署國承諾將確認少數族群不受干預地使用母語的權利，不論在私下或公開場合、不論在口語或書寫上。
第二項
在少數族群傳統居住或已有相當數量之少數族群居住的區域內，倘若這些居民提出要求，並且實際上也確實有此需要，簽署國應盡力確保使本區域民眾與行政當局之間可使用少數族群的語言。
第三項
簽署國承諾將保證使少數族群人民能立即以他／她所能瞭解的語言被告知所以遭到逮捕的理由、被控告的性質和原因，以及所被控告的罪名，同時能以他／她的語言為自己辯護，並且得以在需要的情況下請求免費的翻譯協助。
第十一條
第一項
簽署國承諾將確認少數族群以其母語使用姓名的權利，並且在法律允許的模式下獲得官方認可。
第二項
簽署國承諾將確認少數族群在公開場合展示其母語符號、銘刻或以其他可見方式所表達的訊息。
第三項
在少數族群傳統定居且已有相當數量居住的區域內，在實際情形需要的時候，簽署國應盡力在其法律制度範圍內，並在合宜的情況下偕同其他國家，依其特殊條件，以公眾的以及少數族群的語言標示地名、街道名稱與其他地形指示。
第十二條
第一項
簽署國應在合宜的情況下，在教育和研究領域中採行方法以增進民眾對少數族群及多數族群之文化、歷史、語言及宗教的認識。
第十四條
第一項
簽署國承諾將確認少數族群學習其母語的權利。
第二項
在少數族群傳統居住或已有相當數量之少數族群居住的區域內，若有實質上的需要，簽署國應盡力在其教育制度容許的範圍內，確保使這些少數族群充分擁有以其母語受教並接受指導的機會。
第三項
上述條文在執行時不應存有對學習官方語言或以此種語言施教的偏見。
第十七條
第一項
簽署國承諾將不干預少數族群與合法居住於其他國家、屬於同一種族、擁有共同文化、語言或宗教認同或承繼共同文化資產的人民建立並維持自由且和平的接觸。
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities was adopted by Committee of Ministers on 10 November 1994. It was opened for signature on 1 February 1995 and entered into force 1 February 1998. As of 30 March 1999, the Convention was ratified by 24 member states and one non-member state (Albania).
The Framework Convention is the first legally binding multilateral instrument addressing the issue of minority rights, including the rights of linguistic minorities.
Article 5
1.The Parties undertake to promote the conditions necessary for persons belonging to national minorities to maintain and develop their culture, and to preserve the essential elements of their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions and cultural heritage.
Article 6
1.The Parties shall encourage a spirit of tolerance and intercultural dialogue and take effective measures to promote mutual respect and understanding and co-operation among all persons living on their territory, irrespective of those persons' ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity, in particular in the fields of education, culture and the media.
2.The Parties undertake to take appropriate measures to protect persons who may be subject to threats or acts of discrimination, hostility or violence as a result of their ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity.
Article 9
1.The Parties undertake to recognise that the right to freedom of expression of every person belonging to a national minority includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas in the minority language, without interference by public authorities and regardless of frontiers. The Parties shall ensure, within the framework of their legal systems, that persons belonging to a national minority are not discriminated against in their access to the media.
Article 10
1.The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to use freely and without interference his or her minority language, in private and in public, orally and in writing.
2.In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if those persons so request and where such a request corresponds to a real need, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible, the conditions which would make it possible to use the minority language in relations between those persons and the administrative authorities.
3.The Parties undertake to guarantee the right of every person belonging to a national minority to be informed promptly, in a language which he or she understands, of the reasons for his or her arrest, and of the nature and cause of any accusation against him or her, and to defend himself or herself in this language, if necessary with the free assistance of an interpreter.
Article 11
1.The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to use his or her surname (patronym) and first names in the minority language and the right to official recognition of them, according to modalities provided for in their legal system.
2.The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to display in his or her minority language signs, inscriptions and other information of a private nature visible to the public.
3.In areas traditionally inhabited by substantial numbers of persons belonging to a national minority, the Parties shall endeavour, in the framework of their legal system, including, where appropriate, agreements with other States, and taking into account their specific conditions, to display traditional local names, street names and other topographical indications intended for the public also in the minority language when there is a sufficient demand for such indications.
Article 12
1.The Parties shall, where appropriate, take measures in the fields of education and research to foster knowledge of the culture, history, language and religion of their national minorities and of the majority.
Article 14
1.The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to learn his or her minority language.
2.In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if there is sufficient demand, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible and within the framework of their education systems, that persons belonging to those minorities have adequate opportunities for being taught the minority language or for receiving instruction in this language.
3.Paragraph 2 of this article shall be implemented without prejudice to the learning of the official language or the teaching in this language.
Article 17
1.The Parties undertake not to interfere with the right of persons belonging to national minorities to establish and maintain free and peaceful contacts across frontiers with persons lawfully staying in other States, in particular those with whom they share an ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity, or a common cultural heritage.
■奧斯陸關於少數族群之語言權建議書
在1992年7月的『赫爾辛基決議』中，「歐洲安全暨合作組織」(OSCE) 確立了「少數族群高級特派員」(HCNM) 作為事先預防衝突的機制。如此任務指派是為了因應類似前南斯拉夫的情況再度發生於歐洲其他地區，尤其是正處於轉型至民主體制的國家，可能將如1990年11月經各國領袖所採行之『新歐洲巴黎憲章』所預見一般，減損其對和平與繁榮的承諾。
『奧斯陸關於少數族群之語言權建議書』試圖以較平實公開的言詞說明，少數族群的語言權內容均適用於有HCMN涉入的情況。
IOslo Recommendations Regarding the Linguistic Rights of National Minorities
In its Helsinki Decisions of July 1992, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) established the position of High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) to be "an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest possible stage". This mandate was created largely in reaction to the situation in the former Yugoslavia which some feared would be repeated elsewhere in Europe, especially among the countries in transition to democracy, and could undermine the promise of peace and prosperity as envisaged in the Charter of Paris for a New Europe adopted by the Heads of State and Government in November 1990.
The Oslo Recommendations Regarding the Linguistic Rights of National Minorities attempt to clarify, in relatively straight-forward language, the content of minority language rights generally applicable in the situations in which the HCNM is involved.