January 2020 - National Minorities (FCNM)

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM)

FCNM Newsletter | Minority rights in Europe - January 2020

Monitoring procedure for Framework Convention reformed

As of January this year, a reform of the monitoring arrangements for the Framework Convention adopted by the Committee of Ministers entered into force. The reform introduces a confidential dialogue phase between states parties and the Advisory Committee, new rules for the publication of final reports, and a rapid reaction procedure when a situation warrants urgent examination by the Advisory Committee.

More about the reform ›

Online database of FCNM “jurisprudence” launched

All opinions, government comments and resolutions ever published in the 20 years of monitoring the Framework Convention are now accessible through a searchable online database. A user guide helps navigate the HUDOC database, which works similarly to that of the European Court of Human Rights. Users can search for keywords, countries, Articles of the Framework convention, and many more options.

Hudoc database ›

FCNM monitoring entered fifth cycle

With the opinion on Finland, Denmark and Cyprus, the monitoring of the Framework Convention entered its fifth monitoring round. Fifth cycle opinions come in a relaunched layout and format to improve readability.
Other recently published opinions are those on Serbia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Georgia, and Portugal. The next visits, in March 2020, will lead the Advisory Committee to Croatia and the Czech Republic and, in June 2020, to Estonia and Germany.

FCNM monitoring schedule ›

Advisory Committee members speak in Lund and Geneva

Vice President Marie Hagsgård, spoke at a conference in Lund, Sweden, marking the 20th anniversary of the OSCE HCNM Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life. Aliona Grossu, member of the Advisory Committee, moderated a panel on “Language, education and the empowerment of minority women and girls” at the 12th United Nations Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva.

Recent Council of Europe publications on minority issues

Check out recent Council of Europe publications on minority issues: the conference brochure Impressions on minorities and minority languages in a changing Europe; the Council of Europe Commissioner’s new Human Rights Comment on Language Policies; a publication on New technologies, new social media and the Charter, and the Venice Principles for the Protection and the Promotion of the Ombudsman Institution.

More FCNM publications ›

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