Conference on National Minorities in the Caucasus

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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 10:55:35 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Conference on National Minorities in the Caucasus

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: Nadir Kamaldinov <[email protected]>

Conference on National Minorities in the Caucasus


>From Mr. Nadir Kamaldinov
Chief of Program on National Minorities and Prevention Conflict
Chairman of Group on National Minorities Legal Advice Center
 
tel/fax: (994-12) 973457
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
370009, B. Safaroglu str., 90/2
Baku City, Azerbaijan Republic
 

Conference
National Minorities in the Caucasus
on the eve of the 21st Century
 
Tbilisi 15-17 May 1999
 
LINKS (The London Information Network on Conflicts and
State-building), in collaboration with its partner organization
Caucasus Links and the Commission on Human Rights and National
Minorities of the Parliament of Georgia is organizing a conference
with the theme "National Minorities in the Caucasus on the eve of the
21st Century" in Tbilisi 15-17 May 1999.
 
The Conference will bring together over one hundred government
officials, prominent experts and representatives of the
non-governmental organizations. The organizers hope that the
conference will contribute towards peace in the Caucasus and the
promotion of human rights of national minorities in the region.
 
Most of the states and territorial political entities has in many
respects proved difficult. Nationalism, demands for self-determination
and irredentism turned the Caucasus into a region of war and
instability at the end of the 20th century. Minorities demand
collective rights which majorities consider threatening to the
stability and advancement of their state. Majority-minority relations
remain a complicated problem throughout the region, and many
politicians prefer to postpone rather than risk renewed conflict.
 
The Conference will consider the following themes:
 
1. Conceptual issues: defining national/ethnic minorities; collective
rights or individual rights; interpretations of "the right of people
to self determination".

2. National Minority problems in the overall context of protection of
human rights (relevant legislation and policies in the Caucasus).
Current legal and practical understanding of minority issues in the
region.

3. Minority problems in the overall context of regional security and
promotion of civil society. Prospects for resolving problems.

4. Experience of international co-operation in resolving national
minorities problems (relevant international law).
 
It is hoped that the Conference will bring together different points
of view. Their diversity is seen as a basis for deeper understanding
of the issues.
 
 
Kostantine Kokoev                                    
Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and National Minorities
Parliament of Georgia

Zviad Mukbaniani                                      
Executive Director
Caucasus Links   

Dennis Sammut
Executive Director                                         
LINKS  

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