The provisions of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157) cover the teaching of minority languages, both in public and public schools, and at all levels. These obligations are complementary to those of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ETS No. 148).
States Parties are also obliged to pursue intercultural education in school curricula, including subjects such as civic education and the teaching of the history and contribution of national minorities to society.
France is not a party to either of these instruments, having signed but not ratified the Charter, and never having signed the Framework Convention.
In a decision of 21 May 2021, the French Constitutional Council considered unconstitutional certain provisions of the Molac Law on the protection of the heritage of regional languages and their promotion, which protects and recognises linguistic immersion, a 50-year-old educational system.
Ms Castel
To ask the Committee of Ministers:
What specific action does the Committee of Ministers intend to take to ask France to promote the protection of national minorities and minority or regional languages?