The protection of national minorities is a core issue for the Council of Europe, and one of the major achievements in this field is the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The entry into force of the Framework Convention on 1 February 1998 was indeed an event of universal stature, for it is the first ever legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of national minorities in general.
The report outlines trends and challenges for minority protection in Europe, from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to the climate change and minority youth.
FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES INTRODUCTION TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FOR MINORITY PROTECTION IN EUROPE
Introduction
The Covid-19 pandemic and national minorities
Opportunities and challenges for minority youth
Climate change and national minorities
Conclusion
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC MONITORING BY THE ACFC
Periodical state reports
Country visits
Country-specific opinions
Resolutions of the Committee of Ministers
The ACFC
TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCESS AND DIALOGUE
Publicity of the ACFC’s opinions
Follow-up activities
Outreach and media presence
OTHER ACTIVITIES CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES
Co-operation activities within the Council of Europe
Co-operation with other international institutions
Co-operation with civil society
APPENDIX 1 Signatures and ratifications of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157)
APPENDIX 2 Geographical scope of application of the Framework Convention
APPENDIX 3 Composition of the ACFC between 1 June 2020 and 31 May 2022
APPENDIX 4 Monitoring arrangements under the Framework Convention
APPENDIX 5 Participation in events related to the protection of minority rights (1 June 2020-31 May 2022)
