The Ararteko meets with the Independent Committee of Experts on the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
On 18 January 2024, the Ararteko-Ombudsman of the Basque Country and the Ombudsman of Navarre appeared jointly before the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages at the Palace of Navarre in Pamplona, in the framework of the sixth periodic report on the application of the Charter by Spain.
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, ratified by Spain in 2001, is the European Convention to protect and promote regional and minority languages, as well as to enable speakers to use them both in public and private life. The implementation of the Charter is monitored by a committee of independent experts.
The Ararteko shared with the Committee a summary of actions carried out by the institution in the field of linguistic rights over the last three years, such as institutional declarations, involvement in awareness-raising initiatives and participation in international networks for minority languages. All these interventions are guided by the institution's firm and public commitment to the right of Basque speakers to access public services in Basque. Regarding complaints, whereby the institution serves as a secondary channel to the primary services offered by Elebide or Behatokia, the Ararteko explained that most of the cases refer to the rights derived from the co-officiality of Basque and Spanish, particularly from people who allege infringements of their right to access certain public services in Basque.
Following the proposal of the Ararteko to the coordinator of the Committee of Experts, this is the first time that the Committee of Experts has met with the ombuds institutions. After thanking the Ombudspersons of the Basque Country and of Navarre for the information provided, and having previously met with the Ombudsperson of Catalonia in Barcelona, members of the Committee confirmed that meeting with the ombuds institutions is a good practice that they will seek to maintain in the future. Following this visit, the Committee will draw up its evaluation report on the implementation of the Language Charter in Spain containing specific findings and recommendations for follow-up. The report is expected to be published in 2024.