Recommendation 2040 (2014) Final version

The situation and rights of national minorities in Europe

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 8 April 2014 (13th Sitting) (see Doc. 13445, report of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, rapporteur: Mr Ferenc Kalmár). Text adopted by the Assembly on 8 April 2014 (13th Sitting).

1. Recalling its Resolution 1985 (2014) on the situation and rights of national minorities in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly expresses its concern in this regard.

2. The Assembly stresses the importance of stability, solidarity and peaceful coexistence of a multitude of peoples living in Europe and calls for the promotion of the “unity through diversity” concept within and between countries.

3. The protection of minorities should remain a priority on the political agenda in order to address minorities’ needs and protect their rights and human dignity. An efficient protection of the rights of national minorities contributes to preventing conflicts, to achieving the vision of Europe as a home for all and to creating a peaceful and prosperous environment.

4. The Assembly therefore asks the Committee of Ministers to:

4.1. develop confidence-building programmes with a focus on minority issues, addressed to Council of Europe member States;

4.2. ensure that the Council of Europe Schools of Political Studies address the issue of traditional national minorities in a comprehensive manner, also giving consideration to the fact that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live;

4.3. through its competent committees of experts, draw up training programmes and organise seminars for history teachers and media representatives, especially for those working in ethnically mixed regions, in order to educate young people in the spirit of tolerance and co-operation throughout Europe.