This volume provides the first expert commentary on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which is the principal international document establishing minority rights in a legally binding way. Many minority rights such as those to political participation, non-assimilation, and the use of native languages are not incorporated in other major Human Rights agreements. The Convention is therefore often taken to be the leading standard in this area of regulation. This commentary offers a detailed article-by-article analysis of the Convention, drawing upon its negotiating history and implementation practice, in addition to examining the pronouncements of the Advisory Committee, which is the implementation body attached to the treaty.

• Preface


• Introduction to the Council of Europe System of Minority Rights Protection and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities


• Locating the Framework Convention within the universal system of human rights


• Preamble


• Article 1: Hans-Joachim Heintze: Principle of non intervention-link to human rights


• Article 2: Peter Hilpold: Good faith in application of FCNM


• Article 3: Hans-Joachim Heintze: Nomination of minority groups


• Article 4: Gudmundur Alfredsson: Principle of equality


• Article 5: Geoff Gilbert: Non-assimilation - Development of identity


• Article 6: Geoff Gilbert: Tolerance


• Article 7: Zdenka Machnyikova: Freedom of assembly association-expression-thought-religion


• Article 8: Zdenka Machnyikova: Religion


• Article 9: John Packer and Sally Holt: Expression - Media


• Article 10: Fernand de Varennes: Use of language


• Article 11: Fernand de Varennes: Use of names and signs


• Article 12: Patrick Thornberry: Education


• Article 13: Patrick Thornberry: Identity


• Article 14: Patrick Thornberry and Fernand de Varennes: Language education


• Article 15: Marc Weller: Effective participation


• Article 16: Jennifer Jackson Preece: Prohibition of demographic manipulation


• Article 17: Jennifer Jackson Preece: Cross-frontier contacts


• Article 18: Jennifer Jackson Preece: Bilateral relations


• Article 19: Lauri Hannikainen: Limitation of derogations


• Article 20: Peter Hilpold: Respect of legislation


• Article 21: Peter Hilpold: No violation of international law


• Article 22: Lauri Hannikainen: No derogation from human rights


• Article 23: Peter Hilpold: Conformity to ECHR


• Articles 24-26: Topidi: Advisory Committee


• Articles 27-32: Matthew Draper: Concluding provisions


• Conclusion: Advancing minority rights at regional and universal level


• Appendix: The European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities


• Appendix: Explanatory Report

Marc Weller is Director of the European Centre for Minority Issues and an Assistant Director of Studies in the Centre of International Studies at the University of Cambridge where he lectures on international law. He is a Fellow of the Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law and of Hughes Hall, Cambridge.