The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: A Guide for Non-Governmental Organizations

On 1 February 1998, the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities entered into force. This was an important milestone because the Convention is the first legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of minorities in general. Its effectiveness, however, is likely to depend on whether it is taken seri- ously by governments and the strength of the Council of Europe’s monitoring mechanism to oversee its imple- mentation. The active involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is crucial for both of these factors. NGOs can both encourage governments to make the nec- essary legislative and policy changes to realize the prin- ciples enshrined in the Convention and – by providing information and analysis – help to monitor governmental compliance. This publication is intended to support this process by raising awareness about the Convention and explaining how NGOs and minority organizations1 can use it to protect and promote minority rights. It is stated in Article 22 of this Convention that it complements existing human rights and fundamental freedoms.