Switzerland reaffirms commitment to national minority protection

Bern, 29.06.2023 - On 2 June 2023, the Federal Council was informed of the Fifth Opinion on Switzerland of the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and of Switzerland's response to the report. While the Committee welcomed the commitment demonstrated by the Confederation, cantons and communes to fostering genuine inter-cultural understanding in Swiss society, it also expressed the need for further action. In its response, Switzerland reaffirmed that the protection of minorities is a key factor in the country's political and social stability as well as its prosperity.

In its Fifth Opinion, the Advisory Committee dealt in-depth with the situation of national minorities in Switzerland. The detailed, careful and balanced findings of the Opinion factor in the positions of the Confederation, the cantons, and the organisations concerned. The Committee commends Switzerland's commitment to strengthening multilingualism in the Federal Administration and encourages the authorities to continue promoting the use of Italian and Romansh in education as well as in economic and social life within and outside the areas where they are traditionally used. It states that further action is required in particular to combat discrimination and all forms of racism and intolerance. In addition, the Committee recommends setting up new stopping places, short-stay areas and transit sites for Yenish, Sinti/Manush and Roma, as well as teaching schoolchildren about their history. It also suggests greater inclusion of national minorities in matters that affect their communities.

Switzerland's response to the report refers to the importance of protecting linguistic, cultural and religious diversity in the international as well as the national context. It states that the protection of minority rights contributes to Switzerland's political and social stability as well as its prosperity. To this end the Federal Council underlines the importance of combating all forms of racism and intolerance, referring to the numerous activities undertaken by the Confederation, cantons, communes and cities that are a part of a systematic awareness-raising and prevention policy. The response also addresses the fact that despite efforts at all levels, it has not yet been possible to set up enough stopping sites for communities with an itinerant way of life. Switzerland highlights the complexity of such a task, but agrees with the Committee's view on the importance of aiming to create more sites. The Confederation has therefore stepped up efforts to provide financial support to the cantons and communes.

The Federal Council is pleased to note that the Committee has recognised Switzerland's continuing efforts to promote multilingualism in the Federal Administration. A number of the Committee's recommendations on linguistic minorities are already being addressed by Switzerland's current measures.

The Federal Council is keen to build on these results regarding the protection and promotion of national minorities. With reference to the Committee's recommendations, it will therefore review, together with the responsible authorities at federal, cantonal and communal level, the progress that has been made so far.

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