Order 474 (1992)

Rights of minorities

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 4 February 1992 (21st Sitting) (see Doc. 6556, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Rapporteurs : Mr Brincat and Mr Worms ; Doc. 6562, opinion of the Committee on Culture and Education, Rapporteur : Mr de Puig ; and Doc. 6558, opinion of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography, Rapporteur : Mr Cucó). Text adopted by the Assembly on 5 February 1992 (23rd Sitting).

1. The Assembly refers to its Recommendation 1177 (1992) in which it proposes that the Committee of Ministers :

1.1. conclude as soon as possible the work under way for the elaboration of a charter for regional or minority languages and do its utmost to ensure the rapid implementation of the charter ;

1.2. draw up an additional protocol on the rights of minorities to the European Convention on Human Rights ;

1.3. provide the Council of Europe with a suitable mediation instrument.

2. As was observed in Order No. 456 (1990), the Assembly has decided to give its full support to all the activities under way within the Council of Europe and expresses its wish to be fully associated with them.

3. It is therefore necessary to follow closely the activities in progress or about to be undertaken in the Council of Europe and other organisations in connection with the rights of minorities, and to give them strong encouragement.

4. Should the Committee of Ministers be unable to implement Recommendation 1177 (1992) by 1 October 1992, the Assembly instructs its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, its Political Affairs Committee and its Committee on Culture and Education to prepare as soon as possible a draft protocol on minorities to the European Convention on Human Rights and a draft mediation instrument.

5. Meanwhile, the Assembly instructs its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to continue its work in close co-operation with the other competent committees and with other European and international institutions such as the CSCE, the European Parliament, the International Institute for Democracy and the European Commission for Democracy through Law. This work may include a study and, if appropriate, concrete proposals for an arbitration council or a European commission on minorities.

6. In addition, it instructs its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to submit a further report, if necessary, on the subject of minorities, and its other interested committees to submit their opinions.