Recommendation RecChL(2003)1

of the Committee of Ministers

on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by Sweden

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 19 June 2003
at the 844th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers,
In accordance with Article 16 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;
Having regard to the instrument of ratification submitted by Sweden on 9 February 2000;
Having taken note of the evaluation made by the Committee of Experts on the Charter with respect to the application of the Charter by Sweden;
Having taken note of the comments made by the Swedish authorities on the contents of the Committee of Experts' report;
Bearing in mind that this evaluation is based on information submitted by Sweden in its initial periodical report, supplementary information given by the Swedish authorities, information submitted by bodies and associations legally established in Sweden and the information obtained by the Committee of Experts during its "on-the-spot" visit,
Recommends that the Swedish authorities take account of all the observations of the Committee of Experts and, as a matter of priority:
1. take immediate measures to strengthen access to education in regional or minority languages, to develop teaching materials and improve teacher training at all levels of education;
2. provide favourable conditions to encourage the use of Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli before judicial and administrative authorities in the defined areas in the County of Norrbotten;
3. encourage and/or facilitate the creation and/or maintenance of at least one newspaper in Sami and Meänkieli;
4. improve the situation of the Finnish language outside the Finnish administrative area in public life, and in particular in education.