MINELRES: Minority Rights Group Litigation Programme for Minorities

[Fernand de Varennes]

Dear List Members,

In case some of you are not aware, here is an important new development to 
adavance the protection of minorities: a new programme to assist legal 
litigation has been developped by Minority Rights Group (which deserves 
kudos for a much needed tool).

I would suggest that this will prove a powerful "incentive" in areas of 
concern for minorities - including language matters dealing with freedom of 
expression (Latvia, Estonia, Greece), non-discrimination and others.

Regards,

From: Cynthia Morel [mailto:cynthia.morel@mrgmail.org]

November 28, 2002

CALL FOR CASES

MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL

Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is currently launching an
international project to provide legal support to cases before the
international human rights courts or treaty-monitoring bodies. This is aimed 
to help broaden the interpretation of the law regarding the rights of 
minorities and indigenous peoples at the regional and universal levels.

Accordingly, MRG is issuing a call for cases to its partners and to other 
NGOs working on relevant issues in an effort to identify cases which have 
the potential of setting the strongest legal precedent for the protection of 
minority rights. This may include complaints presently being heard by 
domestic courts.

In forwarding cases to MRG, you are invited to give input on matters
relating to the litigation strategies or legal mechanisms that, in your
opinion, would be most likely to render a successful outcome. You are also 
invited to communicate your level of interest in becoming actively involved 
in the litigation process, and in what capacity. Documents accompanying this 
letter will detail the additional information which will be critical in 
helping us identify the most appropriate test cases. The first document of 
interest is the MRG Information Form for International Complaints.
Accompanying this is a guideline which will help you complete the form. A 
final document briefly summarises the procedural requirements and the
practical issues which will form the basis of selection for the test cases. 
This is strictly for your information, and not to be completed along with 
the Complaints Form.

In order to ensure the widest possible dissemination of information, MRG
strongly encourages your organisation to forward our call for cases to
others. Of particular value would be the contact of NGOs in your country or 
region with whom you have collaborated in the past, and who may be in a 
position to make an important contribution to this project.

Selected cases as well as questions or comments concerning this initiative 
may be directed to Cynthia Morel, the new legal cases officer at MRG, who 
will be managing the initial stages of this project. Ms Morel can be reached 
by email at cynthia.morel@mrgmail.org. Alternatively, information should be 
sent by post to 379 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7DE, UK.

Once cases have been selected, we will discuss the possible courses of
action that are available with you. MRG strongly encourages creative legal 
solutions and looks forward to receiving your input at your earliest 
convenience.

With sincere thanks and best wishes,



Cynthia Morel
Legal Cases Officer




Dr Fernand de Varennes
Former Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Human Rights and the Prevention of 
ethnic Conflict
Editor-in-Chief, Asia-Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law
School of Law, Murdoch University
Murdoch, WA 6150
AUSTRALIA

TEL: +61-8-9360-6510
FAX: +61-8-9310-6671

Email: devarenn@murdoch.edu.au

"A country should be judged on how it treats its minorities." - Gandhi




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