Smart Policies Needed to Protect Minority Rights in Europe, Warns Expert Committee

The Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities calls for inclusive and fair policies to combat growing politicization and instrumentalization of minority rights in Europe.

In its latest report, covering mid-2022 to mid-2024, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities highlights both progress and alarming trends related to the protection of minority rights in Europe. While improvements have been made in areas such as data collection, anti-discrimination frameworks, and minority language use, issues such as the "securitization" of minorities and political scapegoating persist. The Committee warns that viewing national minorities as security threats risks societal disintegration, and emphasizes the need for smarter, more inclusive policies to ensure the effective participation of these groups in society.

Overall, despite positive developments, increasing politicization and exclusion based on ethnic, linguistic, and religious affiliations remain critical challenges for Europe's diverse societies.

The report is available to download here: https://rm.coe.int/14th-acfc-biennial-activity-report-final-en-version/1680b1680f

Or visit the website of the Council of Europe for more at https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/smart-inclusive-fair-policies-needed-to-counter-instrumentalisation-and-politicisation-of-minority-rights-in-europe-says-expert-committee