National minorities and minority languages F A C T S H E E T A summary of the Government’s minority policy Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality July 2007 The objective of Swedens minority policy is to protect will and desire to retain their own identity. Since the the national minorities, strengthen their power to in- Sami are an indigenous people in Sweden, there is also fluence and support the historical minority languages a specific Sami policy to keep alive. Sweden’s national minorities are the Jews, the Roma, the Sami, the Swedish Finns and the Minority languages Tornedalers. The minority languages are Yiddish, Ro- One important element of the minority policy is many Chib, Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli providing support to the historical minority languages with a view to keeping them alive. The languages re- An integrated Swedish minority policy cognised as minority languages in Sweden are Yiddish, Following a decision by the Riksdag in 1999 to Romany Chib (all varieties), Sami (all varieties) Fin- approve ratification of the Framework Convention nish and Meänkieli. These languages are also covered for the Protection of National Minorities (the Fram- by Sweden’s ratification of the Minority Languages ework Convention) and the European Charter for Charter. Three of the national minority languages, Regional or Minority Languages (the Minority Langu- Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli, are territorially linked ages Charter) the minority policy was established as languages; in other words, they are historically associa- a separate policy area in 2000. The basis of minority ted with certain geographical areas of the country. This policy is set out in the Government Bill National Mi- is why these languages are more strongly protected norities in Sweden (1998/99:143, Committee Report under the Minority Languages Charter than Yiddish or 1999/2000: KU6, Parliamentary Communication Romany Chib 1999/2000:69) and in the Framework Convention and the Minority Languages Charter. Minority language legislation The protection of the rights of national minorities Specific minority language legislation applies to cer- and the right to use minority languages in private tain geographical areas, where Sami, Finnish and Me- andpublic contexts are an integral part of the inter- änkieli have a long tradition. This legislation applies national protection for the human rights. The recog- to certain municipalities in Norrbotten, called admi- nition of the minority languages also acknowledges nistrative areas, and entitles individuals to use Sami, that these languages are part of the Swedish cultural Finnish and Meänkieli in their dealings with adminis- heritage. trative agencies and courts. The legislation also gives To realise the objective of the minority policy, the the right to pre-school and elderly care partly or com- needs and interests of all national minorities, in all the pletely in the minority language. Norrbotten County regions of this country and at all levels of society, must Administrative Board has been assigned the task of be taken into account. This applies to central govern- distributing government grants to the municipalities in ment agencies as well as to municipalities and county the administrative areas to cover the costs arising as a councils. Sweden has a long tradition of strong local result of these laws. It is also responsible for following self-government. Because of this, implementation up and evaluating the municipalities’ implementation of the minority policy must take place in a dialogue of the legislation. between central and local government. Minority policy – a cross-sectoral policy National minorities Many core parts of the minority policy, such as edu- At the ratification of the Framework Convention, the cational, cultural and anti-discrimination measures, groups that are national minorities in Sweden were are implemented within other policy areas.Thus, to explicitly named. Common to the national minorities achieve the aim of the minority policy, co-ordination in Sweden is that they have all existed in Sweden for a between this and other policy areas is necessary. There very long time. Their languages and cultures are there- is, for this reason, a special working group at the Go- fore part of the Swedish national heritage. In addition, vernment Offices made up of representatives from the persons belonging to each group enjoy an express relevant ministries. It is also important that the gender affinity and a common religious, linguistic, traditional equality perspective be integrated into the minority or cultural affiliation and in various ways manifest a policy. Education often the victims of discrimination, the Office has It is vital that all children in Sweden learn about the been instructed to make special efforts to prevent and history of the country’s national minorities, and about combat discrimination of Roma. their culture, language and religion. For this reason school curricula include instruction on national Greater influence for national minorities minorities and minority languages. Mother-tongue in- Giving national minorities the opportunity to influ- struction and bilingual instruction have an important ence decisions affecting the community at large is an role to play in supporting and strengthening minority important part of Sweden’s minority policy. Various languages. As part of its supervisory responsibilities, measures have accordingly been taken, aimed at the National Agency for Education is required to mo- strengthening minorities influence in public decision- nitor the development of mothertongue and bilingual making. These include consultative meetings attended instruction for national minorities. by representatives of the Government and minority organisations. Organisations representing national Culture minorities also receive financial support each year to The national minorities have rich cultures of their help them carry out their activities. The funds are al- own, which often find expression in a variety of located in accordance with the Ordinance on Govern- artistic activities. These not only contribute to the ment Support for National Minorities (2005:765). preservation and development of minority cultures in Sweden, but also enrich Swedish cultural life as a International cooperation whole. Sweden reports to the Council of Europe every five Since 2000, government support for literary and years on its efforts regarding the implementation of cultural publications has received funds each year so the Framework Convention and every three years that special consideration can be given to the natio- on the Minority Languages Charter. The Council of nal minorities in the allocation process. Furthermore, Europe examines Sweden’s reports and also visits since 2002 the National Council for Cultural Affairs Sweden for meetings with the relevant agencies and allocates funds for initiatives to promote national organisations. Its conclusions and recommendations minority languages and culture. are then included in its report on Sweden. This moni- toring mechanism is important in the follow-up and Language cultivation development of minority policy. The national language policy states that everyone is In addition to the reports to the Council of Europe, entitled to a language, and emphasises the right to Sweden collaborates with the Council by participa- use and develop one’s own minority language. The ting in two expert groups. Sweden also works with Institute for Language and Folklore is the government the Nordic countries in several working groups on agency responsible for language cultivation as regards minority policy issues. Yiddish, Romany Chib, Finnish and Meänkieli. The Sameting (Sami Parliament) is in charge of language To find out more… cultivation for Sami. The Government Bill National Minorities in Swe- den (1998/99:143) is available on the Government Non-discrimination website: www.regeringen.se. It can also be purchased Sweden has special legislation that makes discrimi- from the Riksdag Printing Office, tel. +46 8 786 58 nation on grounds such as ethnic origin or religion 10. For more information on the Government’s work unlawful. on national minority issues, visit www.regeringen.se, The Office of the Ombudsman against Ethnic www.manskligarattigheter.se or contact the Division Discrimination is responsible for combating and for Democratic Issues, Human Rights, National Mi- preventing discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, norities and Non-Governmental Organisations: +46 8 religion or other belief. The Office also deals with 405 10 00. Information on the Council on Europe is reported cases of discrimination. Since Roma are available at www.coe.int. All inquiries about content should be directed to Bilge Tekin Befrits, tel +46 8 405 10 00. Additional copies of the fact sheet can be ordered Ministry for Integration from the Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality, tel +46 8 405 10 00 and Gender Equality or at The Government’s website: http://www.sweden.gov.se/ Sweden Fact sheet produced by the Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality. Printed by XGS Grafisk Service, SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm, Sweden, July 2007. Article no. IJ 07.07e Phone switchboard +46 8 405 10 00.