MINELRES: MRGI: EU Accession exposes double standards on minority rights

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Graham Fox <graham.fox@mrgmail.org>


Minority Rights Group International

PRESS RELEASE                           
15 April 2003 - For immediate release

EU ACCESSION EXPOSES DOUBLE STANDARDS ON MINORITY RIGHTS

The European Union's role in promoting ratification of the Council of
Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities (FCNM) [1] among
European Union (EU) accession States [2] reveals double standards since
some existing EU countries have themselves failed to ratify and
implement the Convention. Minority Rights Group International (MRG)
today highlighted the fact that countries including the Netherlands,
Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Greece are among EU States which have
not ratified the Convention, which forms the only legally binding treaty
specifically to protect minorities.

The European Union has stated that how Council of Europe (CoE) States
implement the FCNM will be an important factor in considering how the EU
accession criteria on minority rights are met. Due to the strict
accession criteria and pressure from the EU, of the ten States due to
sign the EU Accession Treaties in Athens on 16 April, only Latvia has so
far failed to ratify the Convention although it has indicated that it
too is prepared to do so. Out of a total of ten CoE States who have not
ratified, five are existing EU members including Greece who are hosting
the treaty signing ceremony. These States continue to fail to embrace
pluralism and to protect minorities by failing to implement the FCNM,
offering encouragement for prospective new member States such as Turkey
to do likewise.

The Framework Convention on National Minorities, which celebrates its
5th anniversary in 2003, provides an essential mechanism for responding
to the needs of minorities by agreeing legally binding minimum standards
that must be met by States. The FCNM has been praised for the
effectiveness of its monitoring mechanisms which involve country visits
and constructive dialogue between CoE, governments and minorities.
Ratification by CoE States has been widespread and has offered an
important indication of countries' willingness to protect and promote
the rights of minorities. In EU countries there continues to be
intolerance and prejudice towards immigrants, asylum-seekers and ethnic
minorities such as the Roma, which the FCNM seeks to address through
standards including the right to full and effective equality, education
in minority languages and effective participation.

Minority Rights Group International calls upon all European Union states
and members of the Council of Europe to ratify the FCNM and implement
its principles in practice. States should continue to develop the scope
of application of the FCNM, seeking to protect all established
minorities.

Notes for editors
1. For further information on the Framework Convention on National
Minorities MRG have published a briefing paper (FCNM: From Analysis to
Action) and policy paper (FCNM: A Policy Analysis) which are available
to download from MRG's website using the following links:

www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/pdf/FCNMBriefingAug2002.pdf
www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/pdf/FCNMPolicyPaperAug2002.pdf

2. EU accession States who will sign the Treaty of Accession on 16 April
2003 are: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.


For interviews, further information or copies of MRG's FCNM briefing
and policy paper, please contact the Press Office at MRG on 
+44 (0)20 7978 9498 or 00 44 7734 768223 (mobile) or email
graham.fox@mrgmail.org


Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-governmental
organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote
cooperation and understanding between communities.

www.minorityrights.org