Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Evropske listine o regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih (MELRJ), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 19. julija 2000.

Ratificira se Evropska listina o regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, sestavljena v Strasbourgu dne 5. novembra 1992.

Listina se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu glasi:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Države članice Sveta Evrope, podpisnice te listine,
upoštevajo, da je cilj Sveta Evrope doseči večjo enotnost med njegovimi članicami, še zlasti zato, da bi varovali in uresničevali ideale in načela, ki so njihova skupna dediščina;
upoštevajo, da varstvo zgodovinskih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v Evropi, med katerimi so nekateri v nevarnosti, da bodo sčasoma izumrli, prispeva k ohranitvi in razvoju evropskega kulturnega bogastva ter tradicij;
upoštevajo, da je pravica do uporabe regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika v zasebnem in javnem življenju neodtujljiva pravica v skladu z načeli, vsebovanimi v Mednarodnem paktu Združenih narodov o državljanskih in političnih pravicah, ter v duhu Konvencije Sveta Evrope o varstvu človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin;
se sklicujejo na delovanje v okviru KVSE in še zlasti na Helsinško sklepno listino iz leta 1975 ter na dokument Kopenhagenskega sestanka iz leta 1990;
poudarjajo vrednost medsebojnega prepletanja kultur in večjezičnosti ter upoštevajo, da varstvo in spodbujanje regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov ne smeta škodovati uradnim jezikom ter potrebi, da se učijo;
se zavedajo, da varstvo in spodbujanje regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v različnih evropskih državah in regijah pomembno prispevata h graditvi Evrope, temelječe na načelih demokracije in kulturne raznolikosti v okviru državne suverenosti in ozemeljske celovitosti;
upoštevajo posebne razmere in zgodovinske tradicije različnih regij evropskih držav
in so se sporazumele o naslednjem:

V tej listini:
a izraz “regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki“ pomeni jezike:
i ki jih tradicionalno uporabljajo na določenem ozemlju države državljani te države, ki sestavljajo skupino, številčno manjšo od preostalega prebivalstva te države, in
ii ki se razlikujejo od uradnega jezika ali uradnih jezikov te države;
izraz ne vključuje niti narečij uradnega jezika ali uradnih jezikov države niti jezikov migrantov;
b izraz “ozemlje, na katerem se uporablja regionalni ali manjšinski jezik“ pomeni zemljepisno območje, na katerem se v omenjenem jeziku izraža določeno število ljudi, kar upravičuje sprejem različnih varstvenih in spodbujevalnih ukrepov, ki jih predvideva ta listina;
c izraz “jeziki brez ozemlja“ pomeni jezike, ki jih uporabljajo državljani države in ki se razlikujejo od jezika ali jezikov, ki ga ali jih uporablja preostalo prebivalstvo te države, in ki jih, kljub temu da se tradicionalno uporabljajo na ozemlju te države, ni možno povezati z določenim območjem tega ozemlja.

1. Pogodbenica se obvezuje, da bo uporabljala določbe II. dela za vse regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, ki se govorijo na njenem ozemlju in so v skladu z opredelitvijo izraza v 1. členu.
2. Za vsak jezik, določen v trenutku ratifikacije, sprejetja ali odobritve v skladu s 3. členom, se pogodbenica obvezuje, da bo uporabljala najmanj petintrideset odstavkov ali pododstavkov, izbranih med določbami III. dela te listine, med katerimi so vsaj trije izbrani iz 8. in najmanj trije iz 12. člena ter najmanj po eden iz 9., 10., 11. in 13. člena.

1. Država pogodbenica v svoji listini o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi določi vsak regionalni ali manjšinski jezik ali uradni jezik, ki se manj uporablja na njenem celotnem ozemlju ali delu ozemlja in na katerega se nanašajo odstavki, izbrani v skladu z drugim odstavkom 2. člena.
2. Pogodbenica lahko kadar koli pozneje uradno obvesti generalnega sekretarja, da sprejema obveznosti, ki izhajajo iz določb katerega koli drugega odstavka te listine, ki ga ni že prej določila v svoji listini o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi, ali da bo uporabila prvi odstavek tega člena za druge regionalne ali manjšinske jezike ali za druge uradne jezike, ki se manj uporabljajo na njenem celotnem ozemlju ali na delu njenega ozemlja.
3. Obveznosti iz prejšnjega odstavka se štejejo za sestavni del ratifikacije, sprejetja ali odobritve in bodo imele enak učinek od dneva njihove notifikacije.

1. Nič v tej listini se ne sme razlagati kot omejevanje ali odvzemanje pravic, ki jih zagotavlja Evropska konvencija o človekovih pravicah.
2. Določbe te listine ne učinkujejo na ugodnejše določbe, ki se nanašajo na položaj regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov ali na pravni položaj pripadnikov manjšin in že obstajajo v kateri od pogodbenic ali pa so določene z ustreznimi dvostranskimi ali mnogostranskimi mednarodnimi sporazumi.

Ničesar v tej listini ni mogoče razlagati kot pravico do opravljanja katere koli dejavnosti ali do storitve kakršnega koli dejanja, ki bi bilo v nasprotju s cilji Ustanovne listine Združenih narodov ali z drugimi obveznostmi po mednarodnem pravu, vključno z načelom suverenosti in ozemeljske celovitosti držav.

Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da bodo pazile na to, da so oblasti, organizacije in osebe obveščene o pravicah in dolžnostih, določenih s to listino.

1. Cilji in načela, na katerih temeljijo politika, zakonodaja in praksa pogodbenic v zvezi z regionalnimi ali manjšinskimi jeziki na ozemljih, na katerih se ti jeziki uporabljajo, in glede na položaj vsakega jezika, so:
a priznanje regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov kot izraza kulturnega bogastva;
b spoštovanje zemljepisnega območja vsakega regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika, da bi s tem zagotovili, da že obstoječe ali nove upravne delitve niso ovira za spodbujanje rabe posameznega regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika;
c potreba po odločnem ukrepanju za spodbujanje rabe regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov, da se varujejo;
d boljše omogočanje in/ali spodbujanje ustne in pisne rabe regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v javnem in zasebnem življenju;
e vzdrževanje in razvoj vezi na področjih, ki jih vključuje ta listina, med skupinami, ki uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik in drugimi skupinami v tej državi, ki uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik v enaki ali podobni obliki, kakor tudi vzpostavitev kulturnih odnosov z drugimi skupinami v državi, ki uporabljajo različne jezike;
f zagotavljanje primernih oblik in sredstev za poučevanje in študij regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov na vseh ustreznih stopnjah;
g zagotavljanje možnosti osebam, ki ne govorijo regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika in živijo na območju, kjer se tak regionalni ali manjšinski jezik uporablja, da se ga učijo, če tako želijo;
h pospeševanje študija in raziskovanja regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov na univerzah ali enakovrednih ustanovah;
i pospeševanje primernih oblik transnacionalnih izmenjav na področjih, ki jih vključuje ta listina za regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, ki se uporabljajo v enaki ali podobni obliki v dveh ali več državah.
2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da bodo, če še niso, odpravile vsako neupravičeno razlikovanje, izključevanje, omejevanje ali dajanje prednosti glede uporabe kakega regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika in katerih cilj je odvračati od ohranjanja ali razvoja tega jezika ali ga ogrožati. Sprejem posebnih ukrepov v prid regionalnim ali manjšinskim jezikom, katerih namen je spodbujati enakost med uporabniki teh jezikov in preostalim prebivalstvom ali ki upoštevajo njihove specifične razmere, se ne šteje za dejanje diskriminacije do uporabnikov bolj razširjenih jezikov.
3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo s primernimi ukrepi pospeševati medsebojno razumevanje med vsemi jezikovnimi skupinami v državi, in to zlasti tako, da cilji vzgoje in izobraževanja v državi vključujejo spoštovanje, razumevanje in strpnost do regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov, ter spodbujati javna občila, da si prizadevajo za doseganje istih ciljev.
4. Pri določanju svoje politike do regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov pogodbenice upoštevajo izražene potrebe in želje skupin, ki uporabljajo te jezike. Spodbujati jih je treba, da po potrebi ustanavljajo organe za svetovanje oblastem o vseh zadevah, ki se nanašajo na regionalne ali manjšinske jezike.
5. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da bodo mutatis mutandis uresničevale načela iz prvega do četrtega odstavka tudi za jezike brez ozemlja. Vendar pa se narava in obseg ukrepov za jezike, s katerimi se uresničuje ta listina, prožno določata ob upoštevanju potreb in želja ter ob spoštovanju tradicije in značilnosti skupin, ki uporabljajo te jezike.

1. Glede izobraževanja se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da bodo na ozemlju, na katerem se ti jeziki uporabljajo, v skladu s položajem vsakega od teh jezikov in brez poseganja v poučevanje uradnega jezika ali uradnih jezikov države:
a
i zagotovile možnost za predšolsko izobraževanje v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii zagotovile možnost, da znaten del predšolskega izobraževanja poteka v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, ali
iii izvajale enega od ukrepov, predvidenih v točkah i in ii, vsaj za tiste otroke, katerih družine to želijo in katerih število se šteje za zadostno, ali
iv podpirale in/ali spodbujale uveljavitev ukrepov iz točke i do iii zgoraj, če javne oblasti nimajo neposredne pristojnosti na področju predšolske vzgoje;
b
i zagotovile možnost za osnovnošolsko izobraževanje v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii zagotovile možnost, da znaten del osnovnošolskega izobraževanja poteka v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, ali
iii zagotovile, da je v okviru osnovnošolskega izobraževanja poučevanje ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov sestavni del učnega načrta, ali
iv izvajale enega od ukrepov, predvidenih v točkah i do iii zgoraj vsaj za tiste otroke, katerih družine to želijo in katerih število se šteje za zadostno;
c
i zagotovile možnost za srednješolsko izobraževanje v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii zagotovile možnost, da znaten del srednješolskega izobraževanja poteka v ustreznem regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku, ali
iii zagotovile, da je v okviru srednješolskega izobraževanja poučevanje ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov sestavni del učnega načrta, ali
iv izvajale enega od ukrepov, predvidenih v točkah i do iii, vsaj za tiste učence, ki si to želijo ali to želijo njihove družine in katerih število se šteje za zadostno;
d
i zagotovile možnost za strokovno in poklicno izobraževanje v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii zagotovile možnost, da znaten del strokovnega in poklicnega izobraževanja poteka v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, ali
iii zagotovile, da je v okviru strokovnega in poklicnega izobraževanja poučevanje ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov sestavni del učnega načrta, ali
iv izvajale enega od ukrepov, predvidenih v točkah i do iii, vsaj za tiste učence, ki si to želijo ali to želijo njihove družine in katerih število se šteje za zadostno;
e
i zagotovile možnost za univerzitetno in drugo visoko- in višješolsko izobraževanje v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii zagotovile možnost za študij teh jezikov kot univerzitetnega in visoko- ali višješolskega predmeta ali
iii spodbujale in/ali omogočile izvajanje univerzitetnega izobraževanja ali drugih oblik visoko- ali višješolskega izobraževanja v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali zagotovile možnost za študij teh jezikov kot univerzitetnega ali visoko- in višješolskega predmeta, če zaradi vloge države v odnosu do visoko- in višješolskih ustanov ni mogoče izvajati točk i in ii;
f
i poskrbela za zagotavljanje tečajev za izobraževanje odraslih in nenehnega izobraževanja, ki se pretežno ali v celoti izvajajo v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, ali
ii ponudile te jezike kot šolski predmet pri izobraževanju odraslih in pri nenehnem izobraževanju ali
iii podpirale in/ali spodbujale vključevanje teh jezikov kot učnega predmeta pri izobraževanju odraslih in nenehnem izobraževanju, če javne oblasti nimajo neposredne pristojnosti na področju izobraževanja odraslih;
g sprejele predpise za zagotovitev poučevanja zgodovine in kulture, katerih odraz je regionalni ali manjšinski jezik;
h zagotovile osnovno in nadaljnje usposabljanje učiteljev, ki je potrebno za uresničevanje pododstavkov a do g, ki jih je pogodbenica sprejela;
i ustanovile nadzorni organ ali organe, ki bodo odgovorni za spremljanje izvajanja sprejetih ukrepov in doseženega napredka pri uvajanju ali razvoju poučevanja regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov in za sestavljanje občasnih poročil o svojih ugotovitvah, ki bodo objavljena.
2. Za ozemlja, na katerih se regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki tradicionalno ne uporabljajo, se pogodbenice glede izobraževanja obvezujejo, da bodo dovolile, spodbujale ali zagotovile poučevanje v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku ali poučevanje regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika na vseh ustreznih stopnjah izobraževanja, če to upravičuje število tistih, ki uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da bodo za sodna okrožja, v katerih število prebivalcev, ki uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, upravičuje spodaj navedene ukrepe, glede na položaj posameznega jezika in pod pogojem, da po mnenju sodnika uporaba ugodnosti, ki jih daje ta odstavek, ne ovira pravilnega sojenja:
a v kazenskih postopkih:
i zagotovile, da sodišča na zahtevo ene od strank vodijo postopke v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, in/ali
ii zajamčile obtožencu pravico do uporabe njegovega regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika in/ali
iii zagotovile, da se zahteve in dokazi, ne glede na to, ali so pisni ali ustni, ne bodo šteli za nesprejemljive samo zato, ker bodo izraženi v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku, in/ali
iv omogočili, da se dokumentacija v zvezi s sodnimi postopki na zahtevo predloži v določenih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih,
po potrebi s pomočjo tolmačev in prevodov brez dodatnih stroškov za prizadete osebe;
b v civilnih postopkih:
i zagotovile, da sodišča na zahtevo ene od strank vodijo postopke v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, in/ali
ii omogočile, da lahko stranka v sporu, kadar mora osebno priti pred sodišče, uporablja svoj regionalni ali manjšinski jezik brez dodatnih stroškov, in/ali
iii omogočile, da se dokumentacija in dokazi predložijo v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku,
po potrebi s pomočjo tolmačev in prevodov;
c v postopkih pred sodišči, pristojnimi za upravne zadeve:
i zagotovile, da sodišča na zahtevo ene od strank vodijo postopke v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, in/ali
ii omogočile, da lahko stranka v sporu, kadar mora osebno priti pred sodišče, uporablja svoj regionalni ali manjšinski jezik brez dodatnih stroškov, in/ali
iii omogočile, da se dokumentacija in dokazi predložijo v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih,
po potrebi s pomočjo tolmačev in prevodov;
d ukrenejo vse potrebno za zagotovitev, da uporaba točk i in iii pododstavkov b in c zgoraj in vsaka potrebna pomoč tolmačev in prevodov ne povzročita dodatnih stroškov za prizadete osebe.
2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo:
a da ne bodo zanikale veljavnosti pravnih dokumentov, sestavljenih v določeni državi, samo zato, ker so napisani v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku, ali
b da ne bodo zanikale veljavnosti pravnih dokumentov med strankami v sporu, sestavljenih v državi, samo zato, ker so napisani v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku, in bodo zagotovile, da se pravni dokumenti lahko uveljavljajo proti zainteresiranim tretjim, ki ne uporabljajo teh jezikov, pod pogojem, da jih osebe, ki jih uveljavljajo, seznanijo z njihovo vsebino, ali
c ne bodo med strankami zanikale veljavnosti pravnih dokumentov, sestavljenih v državi, samo zato, ker so napisani v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku.
3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da bodo v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih dale na voljo najpomembnejše notranjepravne predpise in tiste, ki se posebej nanašajo na uporabnike teh jezikov, razen če niso drugače dosegljivi v teh jezikih.

1. Na upravnih območjih države, na katerih število prebivalcev, ki uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, upravičuje spodaj določene ukrepe, in glede na položaj vsakega jezika se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da, če je to mogoče:
a
i zagotovijo, da upravni organi uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, ali
ii zagotovijo, da vsi njihovi uradniki, ki imajo stike z javnostjo, uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike pri svojih odnosih z osebami, ki se nanjo obračajo v teh jezikih, ali
iii zagotovijo, da uporabniki regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov lahko predložijo ustne ali pisne vloge in prejmejo odgovor v teh jezikih, ali
iv zagotovijo, da uporabniki regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov lahko predložijo ustne ali pisne vloge v teh jezikih, ali
v zagotovijo, da uporabniki regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov lahko veljavno predložijo dokument v teh jezikih;
b dajejo na voljo upravna besedila in obrazce, ki so v splošni rabi za prebivalstvo, v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali dvojezično;
c dovolijo upravnim organom, da sestavijo dokumente v regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku.
2. Glede lokalnih in regionalnih oblasti na območjih, na katerih je število prebivalcev, ki uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike tako, da upravičuje spodaj navedene ukrepe, se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da dovolijo in/ali spodbujajo:
a uporabo regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v okviru regionalne ali lokalne oblasti;
b možnost za uporabnike regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov, da predložijo ustne ali pisne vloge v teh jezikih;
c regionalne oblasti, da objavljajo uradne dokumente tudi v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
d lokalne oblasti, da objavljajo uradne dokumente tudi v ustreznih regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
e regionalne oblasti, da uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike v razpravah v svojih skupščinah, ne da bi izključevali uporabo uradnega jezika ali uradnih jezikov države;
f lokalne oblasti, da uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike v razpravah v svojih skupščinah, ne da bi izključevali uporabo uradnega jezika ali uradnih jezikov države;
g uporabo ali sprejem tradicionalnih in pravilnih oblik krajevnih imen v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih po potrebi skupaj s poimenovanjem v uradnem jeziku ali uradnih jezikih.
3. Glede javnih storitev, ki jih zagotavljajo upravni organi ali druge osebe v njihovem imenu, se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da na ozemlju, na katerem se uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki, in v skladu s položajem posameznega jezika ter če je to mogoče:
a zagotovile, da se regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki uporabljajo pri opravljanju storitev, ali
b dovolijo, da uporabniki regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov predložijo zahtevek in prejmejo odgovor v teh jezikih, ali
c dovolijo, da uporabniki regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov predložijo zahtevek v teh jezikih.
4. Zaradi uresničevanja določbe prvega, drugega in tretjega odstavka, ki so jih pogodbenice sprejele, se pogodbenice obvezujejo sprejeti enega ali več naslednjih ukrepov:
a prevajanje in tolmačenje, če se zahtevata;
b zaposlovanje, in kadar je potrebno, usposabljanje uradnikov in drugih potrebnih zaposlenih v javnih službah;
c ugoditev, če je le mogoče, prošnjam zaposlenih v javnih službah, ki znajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik, da so imenovani na ozemlje, na katerem se ta regionalni ali manjšinski jezik uporablja.
5. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo dovoliti uporabo ali prevzem priimkov v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih na prošnjo prizadetih oseb.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da za uporabnike regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov na ozemljih, na katerih se ti jeziki govorijo, v skladu s položajem vsakega jezika, stopnjo posredne ali neposredne pristojnosti organov javne oblasti in njihovih pooblastil ali vloge na tem področju ter ob spoštovanju načela neodvisnosti in samostojnosti javnih glasil:
a v obsegu, v katerem radio in televizija opravljata poslanstvo javne službe:
i zagotovijo ustanovitev vsaj ene radijske postaje in enega televizijskega kanala v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo ustanovitev vsaj ene radijske postaje in enega televizijskega kanala v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
iii ukrenejo vse potrebno, da radio in televizija uvrstita v program oddaje v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
b
i spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo ustanovitev vsaj ene radijske postaje v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo redno oddajanje radijskih programov v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
c
i spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo ustanovitev vsaj enega televizijskega kanala v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih,
ii spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo redno oddajanje televizijskih programov v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
d spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo produkcijo in distribucijo avdio in avdiovizualnih del v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
e
i spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo ustanovitev in/ali vzdrževanje vsaj enega časopisa v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih ali
ii spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo redno objavljanje časopisnih člankov v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
f
i pokrivajo dodatne stroške tistih javnih glasil, ki uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike, vselej kadar zakon na splošno predvideva finančno pomoč za javna glasila, ali
ii izvajajo obstoječe ukrepe za finančno pomoč tudi za avdiovizualne produkcije v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
g podpirajo usposabljanje novinarjev in drugega osebja javnih glasil, ki uporabljajo regionalne ali manjšinske jezike.
2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo zajamčiti svobodo neposrednega sprejemanje radijskih in televizijskih oddaj iz sosednjih držav v jeziku, ki se uporablja v enaki ali podobni obliki, kot je regionalni ali manjšinski jezik, in ne bodo nasprotovale prenašanju radijskih in televizijskih oddaj iz sosednjih držav v takem jeziku. Pogodbenice se nadalje obvezujejo zagotoviti, da ne bo nobenih omejitev glede svobode izražanja in prostega pretoka informacij v tisku, napisanih v jeziku, ki se uporablja v enaki ali podobni obliki, kot je regionalni ali manjšinski jezik. Ker izvajanje zgoraj omenjenih svoboščin vključuje dolžnosti in odgovornosti, so lahko zanje predvidene take formalnosti, omejitve ali kazni, kot so predpisane z zakonom in so potrebne v demokratični družbi, v interesu nacionalne varnosti, ozemeljske celovitosti ali javne varnosti, za preprečevanje nereda in kriminala, za zaščito zdravja ali morale, za zaščito dobrega imena ali pravic drugih, za preprečevanje razkritja zaupnih informacij ali za ohranjanje avtoritete in nepristranskosti sodstva.
3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo zagotoviti, da so interesi uporabnikov regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov zastopani ali upoštevani v organih, ki so lahko ustanovljeni v skladu z zakonom z nalogo, da jamčijo svobodo in pluralizem javnih glasil.

1. Glede kulturnih dejavnosti in ustanov – še posebej knjižnic, videotek, kulturnih centrov, muzejev, arhivov, akademij, gledališč in kinematografov kakor tudi literarnih del in filmskih produkcij, oblik izražanja ljudske kulture, festivalov in s kulturo povezanih dejavnosti, med drugim vključno z uporabo novih tehnologij – se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da na ozemljih, na katerih se ti jeziki uporabljajo, ter v obsegu pristojnosti organov javne oblasti in njihovih pooblastil ali vloge na tem področju:
a spodbujajo tiste vrste izražanja in pobude, ki so značilne za regionalne ali manjšinske jezike in pospešujejo različne možnosti dostopa do del v teh jezikih;
b pospešujejo različne možnosti dostopa v drugih jezikih do del v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih, tako da pomagajo in razvijajo prevajanje, sinhroniziranje, naknadno sinhroniziranje in podnaslavljanje;
c pospešujejo dostop v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih do del v drugih jezikih, tako da pomagajo in razvijajo prevajanje, sinhroniziranje, naknadno sinhroniziranje in podnaslavljanje;
d zagotovijo, da organi, odgovorni za organiziranje ali podpiranje različnih kulturnih dejavnosti, primerno podpirajo vključevanje poznavanja in rabe regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov in kultur v projekte, za katere dajo pobudo ali finančna sredstva;
e pospešujejo ukrepe, s katerimi zagotovijo, da imajo organi, odgovorni za organiziranje in podpiranje kulturnih dejavnosti, na razpolago osebje, ki dobro obvlada določen regionalni ali manjšinski jezik in jezik ali jezike preostalega prebivalstva;
f spodbujajo neposredno sodelovanje predstavnikov uporabnikov regionalnega ali manjšinskega jezika pri zagotavljanju možnosti in načrtovanju kulturnih dejavnosti;
g spodbujajo in/ali omogočajo ustanavljanje organa ali organov, odgovornih za zbiranje, arhiviranje in predstavitev ter objavljanje del v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
h po potrebi ustanovijo in/ali pospešujejo in financirajo službe za prevajanje in terminološke raziskave zlasti zato, da ohranjajo in razvijajo ustrezno upravno, poslovno, gospodarsko, družbeno, strokovno in pravno izrazje v vsakem regionalnem ali manjšinskem jeziku;
2. Za ozemlja, na katerih se regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki tradicionalno ne uporabljajo, se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da bodo dovolile, spodbujale in/ali zagotavljale primerne kulturne dejavnosti in možnosti v skladu s prejšnjim odstavkom, če to upravičuje število tistih, ki uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik.
3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo v svoji kulturni politiki v tujini dati ustrezno mesto regionalnim ali manjšinskim jezikom in kulturam, katerih odraz so.

1. V zvezi z gospodarskimi in družbenimi dejavnostmi se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da v vsej državi:
a izločijo iz svoje zakonodaje vsako določbo, ki neupravičeno prepoveduje ali omejuje uporabo regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v dokumentih, ki se nanašajo na gospodarsko ali družbeno življenje, še zlasti v pogodbah o delu ter v strokovni dokumentaciji, kot so navodila za uporabo izdelkov ali opreme;
b prepovejo v notranje pravilnike podjetij in v osebne dokumente vstavljati kakršne koli določbe, ki izključujejo ali omejujejo uporabo regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov vsaj med uporabniki istega jezika;
c nasprotujejo praksi, katere namen je odvračanje od uporabe regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov v zvezi z gospodarskimi in družbenimi dejavnostmi;
d olajšujejo in/ali spodbujajo uporabo regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov tudi z drugimi sredstvi poleg že zgoraj navedenih.
2. V zvezi z gospodarskimi in družbenimi dejavnostmi se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da na ozemlju, na katerem se uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jeziki, če so javne oblasti za to pristojne in če je to razumno mogoče:
a vključijo v svoje finančne in bančne predpise določbe, ki dovoljujejo na podlagi postopkov, ki so v skladu s poslovno prakso, uporabo regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov pri sestavljanju plačilnih nalogov (čeki, menice itd.) ali drugih finančnih dokumentov, ali da zagotovijo, kadar je to primerno, izvajanje takšnih določb;
b v gospodarskem in družbenem sektorju, ki sta neposredno pod njihovim nadzorom (javni sektor), organizirajo dejavnosti za spodbujanje uporabe regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov;
c zagotovijo, da socialnovarstvene ustanove, kot npr. bolnišnice, domovi za ostarele in drugi domovi, omogočajo sprejem in oskrbo oseb, ki uporabljajo regionalni ali manjšinski jezik in potrebujejo nego zaradi slabega zdravja, starosti ali iz drugih razlogov, v njihovem jeziku;
d s primernimi sredstvi zagotovijo, da so varnostna navodila sestavljena tudi v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih;
e poskrbijo, da so informacije pristojnih javnih organov, ki se nanašajo na pravice potrošnikov, na voljo v regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih.

Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da:
a uporabljajo že obstoječe obvezujoče dvostranske in mnogostranske sporazume, sklenjene z državami, v katerih se uporablja isti jezik v enaki ali podobni obliki, ali si po potrebi prizadevajo skleniti take sporazume, in sicer tako, da bodo pospeševale stike med uporabniki istega jezika v zadevnih državah v kulturi, izobraževanju, obveščanju, poklicnem usposabljanju in permanentnem izobraževanju;
b v dobro regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikov olajšujejo in/ali spodbujajo čezmejno sodelovanje, še zlasti med tistimi regionalnimi in lokalnimi skupnostmi, na ozemlju katerih se uporablja isti jezik v enaki ali podobni obliki.

1. Pogodbenice občasno predložijo generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope v obliki, ki jo predpiše Odbor ministrov, poročilo o politiki, ki jo izvajajo v skladu z II. delom te listine, in o ukrepih za izvajanje tistih določb III. dela, ki so jih sprejele. Prvo poročilo je treba predložiti v enem letu po začetku veljavnosti te listine za posamezno pogodbenico, naslednja poročila pa vsaka tri leta po prvem poročilu.
2. Pogodbenice svoja poročila javno objavijo.

1. Poročila, predložena generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope na podlagi 15. člena, pregleda odbor strokovnjakov, sestavljen v skladu s 17. členom.
2. Organi ali združenja, ki so pravno veljavno ustanovljeni v eni od pogodbenic, lahko odbor strokovnjakov opozorijo na zadeve glede obveznosti, ki jih je ta pogodbenica sprejela iz III. dela te listine. Po posvetovanju z zadevno pogodbenico lahko odbor strokovnjakov upošteva te informacije pri pripravi poročila po tretjem odstavku spodaj. Ti organi ali združenja lahko nadalje predložijo izjave v zvezi s politiko, ki jo vodi pogodbenica v skladu z II. delom.
3. Na podlagi poročil, navedenih v prvem odstavku, in informacij, omenjenih v drugem odstavku, odbor strokovnjakov pripravi poročilo za Odbor ministrov. Temu poročilu se priložijo še pripombe, ki so jih na zahtevo dale pogodbenice in jih lahko Odbor ministrov javno objavi.
4. Poročilo iz tretjega odstavka vsebuje zlasti predloge odbora strokovnjakov, na podlagi katerih Odbor ministrov pripravi taka priporočila eni ali več pogodbenicam, kot so potrebna.
5. Generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope predloži Parlamentarni skupščini vsaki dve leti podrobno poročilo o izvajanju listine.

1. V odboru strokovnjakov ima vsaka pogodbenica enega člana, ki ga imenuje Odbor ministrov s seznama najbolj neoporečnih in priznanih strokovnjakov s področja zadev, ki jih ureja ta listina, in ki jih predlagajo posamezne pogodbenice.
2. Člani odbora se imenujejo za obdobje šestih let in so lahko ponovno imenovani. Član, ki ne more dokončati mandata, se nadomesti v skladu s postopkom, navedenim v prvem odstavku, in član, ki ga zamenja, svojo funkcijo opravlja do konca mandata svojega predhodnika.
3. Odbor strokovnjakov sprejme svoj poslovnik. Storitve sekretariata mu zagotavlja generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope.

Ta listina je na voljo za podpis državam članicam Sveta Evrope. Listino je treba ratificirati, sprejeti ali odobriti. Listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi se hranijo pri generalnem sekretarju Sveta Evrope.

1. Listina začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po dnevu, ko je pet držav članic privolilo, da jih ta listina zavezuje v skladu z določbami 18. člena.
2. Za vsako državo članico, ki naknadno izrazi soglasje, da jo listina zavezuje, začne ta veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu deponiranja listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi.

1. Po začetku veljavnosti listine lahko Odbor ministrov Sveta Evrope povabi katero koli državo, ki ni članica Sveta Evrope, da k njej pristopi.
2. Za vsako državo, ki tako pristopi, začne listina veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu deponiranja listine o pristopu pri generalnem sekretarju Sveta Evrope.

1. Država lahko ob podpisu ali deponiranju svoje listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu izrazi enega ali več pridržkov glede drugega do petega odstavka 7. člena listine. Drugi pridržki niso dopustni.
2. Vsaka država pogodbenica, ki je izrazila pridržek v skladu s prejšnjim odstavkom, ga lahko v celoti ali delno umakne z notifikacijo, naslovljeno na generalnega sekretarja Sveta Evrope. Umik pridržka začne veljati na datum, ko generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope prejme tako notifikacijo.

1. Pogodbenica lahko kadar koli odpove listino z notifikacijo, naslovljeno na generalnega sekretarja Sveta Evrope.
2. Takšna odpoved začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku šestmesečnega obdobja po datumu, ko je generalni sekretar prejel notifikacijo.

Generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope obvesti države članice Sveta in vse države, ki so pristopile k tej listini o:
a vsakem podpisu,
b deponiranju vsake listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu,
c vsakem datumu začetka veljavnosti te listine v skladu z 19. in 20. členom,
d vsaki notifikaciji, prejeti na podlagi uporabe določb drugega odstavka 3. člena,
e vsakem drugem dejanju, notifikaciji ali sporočilu, ki se nanaša na to listino.
V dokaz tega so podpisani, ki so bili za to pravilno pooblaščeni, podpisali to listino.
Sestavljeno v Strasbourgu 5. novembra 1992 v angleškem in francoskem jeziku, pri čemer sta obe besedili enako veljavni, v enem izvodu, ki se hrani v arhivu Sveta Evrope. Generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope pošlje overjeno kopijo vsaki državi članici Sveta Evrope in vsaki državi, ki je bila povabljena, da pristopi k tej listini.

Za izvajanje tega sporazuma skrbi Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve.

Republika Slovenija ob deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji Evropske listine o regionalnih ali manjšinskih jezikih generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope sporoči, da sta na ozemlju Republike Slovenije regionalna ali manjšinska jezika v smislu te listine italijanski in madžarski jezik in da bo v skladu z drugim odstavkom 2. člena listine uporabljala za ta dva jezika naslednje odstavke in pododstavke III. dela listine:
Iz 8. člena:
odstavek 1 a (i, ii), b (i, ii, iii), c (i,ii,iii), d (i,ii, iii), e (iii), f (iii), g, h, i
odstavek 2.
Iz 9. člena:
odstavek 1 a, b, c, d
odstavek 2 a, b, c
Iz 10. člena:
odstavek 1
odstavek 2
odstavek 3
odstavek 4
odstavek 5
Iz 11. člena:
odstavek 1 a (i), e (i)
odstavek 2
odstavek 3
Iz 12. člena:
odstavek 1 a, d, e, f,
odstavek 2
odstavek 3
Iz 13. člena:
odstavek 1
odstavek 2
Iz 14. člena:
odstavka a, b.
V skladu s petim odstavkom 7. člena listine bo Republika Slovenija določbe od prvega do četrtega odstavka 7. člena smiselno uporabljala tudi za romski jezik.

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.