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Human Rights and National Minorities |
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Objective
The general objective of this sector is to promote human rights including the protection of minorities, democracy, democratic citizenship, successful functioning of democratic institutions and processes with all activities, events and projects of the Stability Pact for SE Europe. This includes the support for and strengthening of minority rights and mutual respect of different communities. In particular the following specific objectives should be reached:
- Development of democracy, promotion of human rights and the protection of minorities, democratic institutions and the promotion of democratic citizenship;
- Improve ethnic relations, promote multiethnic societies and create a climate of mutual respect and tolerance for each others’ differences;
- Ensure the legal protection of human rights of minorities based on the already existing highest European standards, inter alia the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights;
- Encourage the signature of bilateral agreements on the protection of minorities;
- Encourage dialogue and co-operation with civil society to play an active role in improving interethnic relations;
- Introduce a comprehensive regional strategy for the promotion of the status of Roma population;
- Encourage and improve research, education and training that would improve the general knowledge, consciousness and awareness of ethnic and cultural diversity and richness of the region and every individual country in the region. This should stimulate and contribute to co-existence and peaceful cooperation in multiethnic societies in the region.
Description
The Joint Statement and the Framework Program of Action adopted at the Portoroz Conference in March 2000 and the final Report of the Special Delegation of CoE Advisors on Minorities submitted to the Conference, and the List of Projects adopted by the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities express strong commitment of all Stability Pact participating countries to support activities aimed at promotion of democracy and human rights and at the promotion rehabilitation of multiethnic societies, where necessary, in countries of South Eastern Europe. For the achievement of goals indicated in these document, the implementation of the following measures is proposed:
- vigorous Awareness Raising Campaign on multiethnic society and democratic citizenship that will make a significant contribution to ethnic reconciliation. The campaign is being designed and implemented by the countries in the region.
- Ensure the implementation of already accepted international standards.
- Implementation of projects and programs developed by different agencies and organizations and adopted by the Task Force.
- Reform in national legislation. Countries should review their laws, policies and practices in order to identify and remove discriminatory aspects. In particular, countries should take steps to give formal recognition to the Roma minority and introduce positive programs for the elimination of their discrimination.
- The establishment of the International Center for Interethnic Relations and Protection of Minorities in SE Europe (at the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana) that would stimulate development of joint research projects, cooperation, exchange and networking in the field of ethnic studies in the region and broader. Countries and local governments should be encouraged to use research findings for the improvement of their ethnic policies and legislation that can contribute to better ethnic relations and cooperation. This includes the design and implementation of adequate teaching and training programs.
Countries of the region should expand the best practices noted by the above listed documents and especially by the report of the Special Delegation of Advisors. Countries are encouraged to exchange experience and, wherever possible, support initiatives coming from minorities themselves.
Sponsors
Slovenia
Council of Europe
Key Contacts
Mr. Mitja Zagar, Chair of the Task Force
Country: Slovenia
Organization: Institute for Ethnic Studies
Tel: +386 (1) 200 1871
Fax: +386 (1) 251 0964
Email: mitja.zagar@guest.arnes.si
Ms. Claudia Luciani, Co-chair of the Task Force
Organization: Council of Europe
Tel: +33 (3) 88-41-2149
Fax: +33 (3) 88-41-2746
Email: claudia.luciani@coe.int
Ms. Vera Budway, Expert
Organization: Stability Pact
Tel: +32 (2) 401 87 08
Fax: +32 (2) 401 87 12
Email: vera.budway@stabilitypact.org
Task Force Meetings: Portoroz Conference, Portoroz, March 16-17, 2000Information on Projects / Initiatives Link DiversityLegal Policy Measures ProjectsRoma under the Stability Pact
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