Back Study visit to Berlin: Good practices in functioning of the minority representation bodies

Between 12th and 14th May 2019, the representatives of the Minority Co-ordination Group took part in a study visit to Berlin, organised under the project: "Strengthening the protection of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina". The purpose of this study visit was to exchange experiences and good practices between the German and BiH representatives of minority bodies who are dealing with the issues relating to minority protection and promotion.

 

The German Council of National Minorities, which, like in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has an advisory role, was presented in depth by the Minority Secretariat. In addition to learning about the current practices in the field of national minorities from the perspectives of the national minorities themselves, the representatives of minority bodies/relevant institution from BiH also had an opportunity to exchange information with the relevant colleagues from the German government. The German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, that is closely working on minority protection and promotion of the four recognised autochthonous minorities in Germany (German Sinti and Roma, Frisians, Lusatian Sorbs and Danish minority) on the state level, presented, among others, the (legal) framework based on which they are successfully working with national minorities and also financially supporting them.

 

Participants also got acquainted with the work of civil society organisations working on the issues of national minorities on the European level, such as Working Group of German Minorities (AGDM), FUEN Federal Union of European Nationalities and Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) but also learned more about the German political/legal structure through the visit to the German Bundestag.

 

The project: "Strengthening the protection of national minorities in BiH" is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. It is part of the joint programme called “Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey”, implemented by the Council of Europe.

Berlin 12-14 May 2019
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As a part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programmatic framework “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” (Horizontal Facility), the Council of Europe will implement the Action “Strengthening the protection of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, in close partnership with Ministry for Human Rights and Refuges BiH, Federation Ministry of Justice, Federation Ministry of Labor and Social Politics, RS Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government, RS Ministry for Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation, BiH Government of Brcko District, local authorities, Councils for National Minorities at state and entity level as well as civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the area of minority protection and promotion in BiH.

The Action aims at supporting the authorities in enhancing the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina by strengthening institutional coordination among the relevant stakeholders in minority fields and increasing their capacities. In addition, it will raise awareness of promotion and protection of minority rights in BiH, which will also be implemented by local governments themselves.

The Action has an overall budget of 418,000 EUR and it is expected to be completed on 24th May 2019.

 

Objectives and expected results

The aim of the Action is to contribute to strengthening the protection of the persons belonging to national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the European standards.

The Action intends to address the following specific objectives:

  • Strengthen institutional coordination among the relevant stakeholders;
  • Foster intercultural dialogue while systematically addressing issues relating to the protection and promotion of rights.

Accordingly, the objectives of the Action will be supported through the realisation of the following expected results:

  • Established coordination principles among the relevant stakeholders;
  • Increased knowledge of relevant institutions about minority protection standards;
  • Increased knowledge of the general public about the existence, roles and rights of national minorities, including minority languages in BiH.

 

This webpage has been produced using funds of a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.