May 2005

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THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE ADOPTS TWO RESOLUTIONS IN RESPECT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND ALBANIA, AND MAKES PUBLIC ITS SECOND OPINION ON DENMARK

May 2005 – The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a resolution in reference to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of monitoring the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, highlighting a number of issues on which Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to take further measures to support national minorities. The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists mainly of Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and Yugoslavs.

The Committee of Ministers has welcomed the adoption of a Law on the Protection of Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities, but it considers that the implementation of relevant norms in practice still remains a major problem. The provisions on teaching minority languages, on media broadcasting for national minorities and on proportional representation in public authorities and in the civil service have not prompted substantial changes. Futhermore, new consultation structures for national minorities, such as the proposed Council of National Minorities and corresponding bodies at the level of the Entities, have not been set up despite concrete legal obligations. According to the Committee of Ministers these shortcomings need to be addressed as a matter of priority by the authorities both at the State and Entity levels.

In respect of Albania, the Committee of Ministers has adopted a resolution on how Albania has put into practice the principles contained in the Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The national minorities living in Albania are Greek, Macedonian, Montenegrin and the linguistic minorities of Roma and Aromanians. According to this resolution, Albania has made commendable efforts in the protection of national minorities, in the field of education and the provision of schools and classes for certain national minorities. However, further efforts are required to complete the legal and administrative framework and to ensure its full realisation in practice, including the use of minority languages in relation with administrative authorities and the display of traditional local names, street names and other topographical indications. There is also a need to establish measures to extend minority language education, where there is a need and demand.

With regard to Denmark, the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention has made public the opinion on measures taken by this country. The opinion will soon be examined by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, which will then adopt its conclusions and possible recommendations.

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