The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages entered into force for Norway on 1 March 1998. The languages on the territory of Norway which are protected under the Charter are Sámi, Kven and the two non-territorial languages, Romani and Romanes.
The fourth evaluation report on Norway is based on information given by the Norwegian Government in its fourth periodic report to the Committee of Experts, as well on interviews with representatives of the regional and minority languages in Norway and with Norwegian authorities during the “on the spot” visit, which took place from 3-6 February 2009.
While acknowledging the efforts the Norwegian authorities have undertaken to protect the regional and minority languages in the country, the Committee of Experts recommends in the report that Norway, as a matter of priority:
1. ensure that social and health care institutions within the Sámi Administrative District offer services in North Sámi;
2. clarify the status of the Lule and South Sámi languages in relation to Part III of the Charter;
3. continue their efforts to provide teaching in/of Lule and South Sámi, including the development of teaching materials and teacher training;
4. continue their efforts to protect and promote the Kven language in particular in education and in the field of broadcast media;
5. take measures to develop language education in Romani and Romanes in co-operation with the speakers.
A translation of the five main recommendations of the Committee of Experts in Norwegian and Sámi can be found on the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration and Reform.
The Committee of Experts’ evaluation report, together with the above mentioned recommendations, will at the beginning of 2010 be submitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, for its consideration and adoption of a resolution with final recommendations to Norway concerning the implementation of the Charter.
The report of the Committee of Experts’ in English can be found here.
For further information about the Charter and the Committee of Experts' work, visit its website.
Further information in Norwegian about the Charter can be found on the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration and Reform.