Please see our brand new publication celebrating Cornish identity and national minority status.
The Cornish: A UK National Minority
On 24 April 2014, the UK Government recognised the Cornish as a national minority under the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCPNM).
The decision to recognise the unique identity of the Cornish now affords them the same status as:
- the Scots
- the Welsh
- and the Irish
Being recognised as a national minority means that the Cornish have "the right to:
- express
- preserve
- share
- and develop their distinct culture and identity."
The Council of Europe's Framework Convention
The FCPNM is one of the most comprehensive treaties designed to protect the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.
The UK Government became a signatory to the treaty on 1 February 1995. The treaty was ratified on 15 January 1998 and came into force on 1 May 1998.
Parties to the Framework Convention undertake to;
"promote the full and effective equality of persons belonging to minorities in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life."
Compliance with the Framework Convention
Compliance with the Framework Convention is monitored by the Council of Europe. Signatories to the treaty must submit reports every five years.
To date the UK Government has complied with six reporting cycles.
The Government submitted it's sixth compliance report to the Council of Europe on 7th May 2024.
How do we support and promote the Framework Convention?
The Council set up a Cornish National Minority Working Group in 2015 to support the implementation of the Framework Convention. The Group also oversees progress against the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML).
Members of the Working Group are responsible for promoting and celebrating Cornish National Minority status, holding the UK Government to account as signatory to the Framework Convention, and supporting the development of the Cornish language, Kernewek.
The Cornish National Minority Working Group has a work plan summarising their priorities for 2022-26.
Cornish National Minority Working Group Work Plan Summary
Ten years on from recognition, much has been achieved in Cornwall. But there is still more to do.
The timeline
- Announcement by Danny Alexander – 24 April 2014
- Government consultation on the Council of Europe Compliance Report – August to October 2014
- Ratification by the Council of Europe – March 2015
- Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities published its Fourth Opinion on the UK in March 2017
- This Opinion was further strengthened by the resolution on the implementation of the FCPNM. This was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 7 February 2018
- Cornwall Council's submission to the UK Government Fifth Cycle Report on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities – May 2019
- Census 2021 and Cornish National Minority
- Cornwall Council's 2021 update to the UK Government Fifth Cycle Report
- UK Government State Report published 4 November 2021
- Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities published its Fifth Opinion on the United Kingdom on 25th May 2023
- The Council of Europe’s Fifth Opinion on the UK Government adopted on 12 July 2023
- UK Government State Report was received by the Council of Europe on 7 May 2024
Exiting the EU
In June 2016 the UK voted to leave the EU.
This caused concern among some community groups. This was about whether the Council of Europe's protection of national minorities would still be upheld after the UK leaves the EU.
The Council contacted the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on these questions.
On 13 February 2017 they confirmed that:
"The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is a Council of Europe instrument. It has nothing to do with the European Union.
The UK ratified the Framework Convention in 1998 and this will not be affected by the UK leaving the EU."
