The Advisory Committee on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has published new opinions assessing the developments of the situation with national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro and providing recommendations to the authorities of the two countries.
In Bulgaria, says the Advisory Committee, despite some positive developments in legislation, access to healthcare and education over the past four years, insufficient progress can be observed in implementing earlier recommendations to ensure effective access to minority rights. The Committee provides recommendations to Bulgarian authorities to promote the cultures and the languages of national minorities, to nurture trust and mutual respect, as well as to improve the situation of the Roma minority. See the summary of the opinion in Bulgarian.
Despite strong political and societal turbulence in Montenegro over the past five years, the country remains committed to minority rights, defining itself through its diversity and interculturalism, and remaining active in promoting the cultures, identities, and participation of national minorities in the face of difficult societal conditions, says the Advisory Committee. Genuine efforts are needed, however, to stabilise and improve the interethnic relations that have been shaken over the recent years. See the summary of the opinion in Montenegrin.
The opinions were published together with comments from respective governments.
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is Europe’s most comprehensive treaty protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. It is the first legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of national minorities worldwide, and its implementation is monitored by an Advisory Committee composed of independent experts. The treaty entered into force on 1 February 1998 and is now in force in 38 states.
Press release
Bulgaria: progress in ensuring access to minority rights remains insufficient, more efforts needed, says Council of Europe expert committee
Press release
Montenegro remains committed to minority rights, but more efforts needed to improve interethnic relations, says Council of Europe expert body