The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157) protects, among others, the right to freedom of expression of every person belonging to a national minority, which includes the right to receive information in the minority language and not to be discriminated against in his/her access to the media (Article 9).
A motion was tabled and debated in the Spanish Senate, aiming at encouraging the Spanish authorities to inform the persons belonging to national minorities about Covid-19 issues, in their regional languages, in order to comply with the Framework Convention. The Senate rejected the motion as only the political parties belonging to national minorities voted in favour.
According to its Article 24, the Committee of Ministers shall monitor the implementation of the Framework Convention by the Contracting Parties.
Ms Castel
To ask the Committee of Ministers:
What specific steps will the Committee of Ministers take to request Spain to comply with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, particularly when it comes to informing about Covid-19 issues in regional or minority languages?