NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA

1. Constitution of the Land

There is no reference to Low German in the Land’s Constitution.

2. Education

2.1.Provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages adopted by the Land:

Article 8, paragraph 1 (e) (iii); (g); (h) ; paragraph 2

2.2.Circular [Decree]: “Low German in School”, issued by the Disctrict of Münster
Original title: Rundverfügung “Niederdeutsch in der Schule”

(The Circular [Decree] on "Niederdeutsch in der Schule" ["Low German in school"], issued by the Münster Bezirk Government, contains guidance on the inclusion of regional language culture in the curricula.)

[Source: First Report submitted by the FRG under Article 15, par.1, of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, 2000. http://www.coe.int/T/E/Legal_Affairs/Local_and_regional_Democracy/Regional_or_Minority_languages/Documentation/1_Periodical_reports/2000_1e_MIN-LANG_PR_Germany.asp#TopOfPage]

3. Judicial Authorities

3.1.Provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages adopted by the Land:

Article 9, paragraph 1 (b) (iii); (c) (iii); paragraph 2 (a)

4. Administrative Authorities and Public Services

The Land of North Rhine-Westphalia has not adopted any regulations from the Eurpean Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in this regard.

5. Media

5.1. Provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages adopted by the Land:

Article 11, paragraph 1 (d); paragraph 2

6. Cultural activities and facilities

6.1. Provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages adopted by the Land:

Article 12, paragraph 1 (a); (d); (e); (f); (g); (h); paragraph 2

7. Economic and social life

7.1. Provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages adopted by the Land:

Article 13, paragraph 1 (a); (c); (d)