Conference on the protection and promotion of national minorities in Switzerland

The conference centred on the fifth country report from Switzerland to the Council of Europe and the resulting recommendations by the Council of Europe to Switzerland on the protection and promotion of recognised national minorities in Switzerland. Regarding the implementation of the recommendations, there was discussion about which successes had already been achieved and which challenges remain, including: the promotion of Italian and Romansh in business and social life; improved protection for the travelling lifestyles of the Yenish and Sinti through more stopping places as well as improved prevention and combating of racism, anti-Semitism and antiziganism in education, especially with regard to the situation of national minorities. In her welcoming address, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider emphasised the importance of protecting minorities in a democratic society. She stressed the necessity of promoting minority rights and combating discrimination in order to be able to exploit the full creative and economic potential of linguistic, ethnic, cultural and religious diversity.

Switzerland’s recognised national minorities include persons belonging to national linguistic minorities, the Jewish community as well as the settled and itinerant Yenish, Sinti and Manouche. By ratifying the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in 1998, Switzerland committed to protect and promote its national minorities. This fifth conference is part of the regular exchange between Switzerland and the Council of Europe. It was organised by the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in cooperation with the Federal Office of Culture, the Service for Combating Racism and the Foundation “A Future for Swiss Travellers”.

Communicaziun a las medias(pdf, 150kb)

Address for enquiries:

for further information on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities:

FDFA Communication
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
X: @EDA_DFAE

for further information on national minorities in Switzerland:

Federal Office of Culture
Section Culture and society
David Vitali, head of section
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003 Bern
Tel: +41 58 465 70 19
E-mail: david.vitali@bak.admin.ch

The Foundation “A Future for Swiss Travellers”
Simon Röthlisberger, General Secretary
Tel.: +41 31 552 13 10
E-mail: simon.roethlisberger@stiftung-fahrende.ch

for further information on racism and intolerance:

Marianne Helfer
Director of the Service for Combating Racism
Tel.: +41 58 480 08 70
E-Mail: marianne.helferherreraerazo@gs-edi.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Home Affairs