A delegation of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will be visiting Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv and Uzhorod from 21-29 November 2016 to evaluate the progress made in the monitoring of the protection of national minorities in Ukraine.

The Advisory Committee will hold meetings with representatives of central, regional and local government as well as civil society and national minorities, NGOs to discuss the implementation of the Framework Convention with relevant stakeholders, as well as academics. This visit will take place in parallel with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML).

The Delegation includes Mr Besarion Bokhashvili, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of Georgia, Mr Craig Oliphant, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of the United Kingdom, Ms Petra Roter, Advisory Committee member elected in respect of Slovenia and Mr Krzysztof Zyman, Administrator, secretariat of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Following the visit, the Advisory Committee will draw up its fourth Opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention in Ukraine, containing specific findings and recommendations for follow-up. The fourth Opinion is expected to be adopted in March 2017.

Note: Ukraine submitted its fourth State Report under the Framework Convention in May 2016.