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War in Ukraine, Covid-19 and climate change key challenges for national minorities

National minorities in Europe faced multiple threats during the past two years, says a new report from the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine caused a humanitarian catastrophe, including for national minorities, the Committee reports, with the Covid 19 pandemic exacerbating challenges and deepening existing inequalities. Many national minorities living in close connection with the natural environment are also contending with problems as a result of climate change; but there are also situations where the move to a greener economy risks leading to negative socio-economic changes for minorities. 

The report points to positive trends for young people from national minorities, with active support to youth groups, training for young Roma, and the development of youth mediators. However, young people still face challenges, it warns, calling for governments to offer more support. 


 Press release
The war in Ukraine, Covid-19 crisis, climate change among key challenges for national minorities in Europe in 2020-2022

 Council of Europe special dossier on the War in Ukraine

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES (FCNM) Strasbourg 27 september 2022
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Safeguards built into the European Convention on Human Rights are working to promote environmental protections.
See some examples of how the ECHR is addressing human rights issues related to the environment.