CoE: Committee of Ministers adopts conclusions on implementation of FCNM in Denmark, Finland

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Subject: CoE: Committee of Ministers adopts conclusions on implementation of FCNM in Denmark, Finland

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CoE: Committee of Ministers adopts conclusions on
implementation of FCNM in Denmark, Finland


Council of Europe Press Release
Council of Europe Press Service
Tel. +33 3 88 41 25 60
Fax. +33 3 88 41 27 89
E-mail: [email protected]

The Committee of Ministers gives new impetus to protection for
national minorities

Strasbourg, 06.11.2001 - The Committee of Ministers has just adopted,
for the first time, conclusions and recommendations on the
implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of
National Minorities in two States Parties.  The Committee of Ministers
was guided, in particular, by the opinions of the Advisory Committee
on the Framework Convention, which is made up of independent experts.

The two states concerned are Denmark and Finland. The Committee of
Ministers recommends that both countries take appropriate account of
its conclusions and of the comments of the Advisory Committee. It also
invites the governments involved to inform the Advisory Committee of
any measures they may take to implement these conclusions and
comments.

With regard to Denmark, the Committee of Ministers observes in
particular that efforts have been made to implement the Framework
Convention with regard to the German minority in Southern Jutland and
encourages further consideration of the Convention's possible
application to other groups.  It also concludes that the special
funding of the state church, and the requirement that all names be
registered with this church, ought to be reviewed.

With regard to Finland, the Committee of Ministers concludes that
efforts have been made towards protecting the Swedish-speaking Finns
and welcomes the improvements in the protection enjoyed by the Sami. 
As regards the Roma, however, the Committee of Ministers concludes
that the implementation of the Framework Convention has not been
entirely successful and expresses concern about the discrimination
suffered by this group and their socio-economic status.  It also
concludes that further attention should be paid to the
Russian-speaking community, particularly in the fields of education
and the media.

The texts of these conclusions and recommendations will be available
on the internet site www.cm.coe.int. The Advisory Committee's opinions
on Denmark and Finland are already available on the site
http://www.humanrights.coe.int/minorities/index.htm together with
comments by the states themselves.

Press Release
Council of Europe Press Service
Ref: 796a01
Contact: Sabine Zimmer
Tel: +33 3 88 41 25 97
Fax: +33 3 88 41 27 89
[email protected]
internet: www.coe.int/press

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[email protected]

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works
to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 43
member states.

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