05/03/2014 Equality and Non-Discrimination
The protection of the rights of national minorities, including traditional national minorities – those who have been living on the same territory for centuries and share a common identity - should remain a political priority since it plays an essential role for peace and stability in Europe and is an efficient means of conflict prevention, according to the Committee.
Adopting a report on the subject by Ferenc Kalmár (Hungary, EPP/CD) the Committee said that the respect of minority rights, which is beneficial to all, can be ensured through the protection of the right to identity, protection of minority languages, mother tongue education and effective participation in economic and public life.
The Assembly should also, the Committee said, call on member States to promote the official use of languages spoken by traditional national minorities on the territories where they live; to implement territorial self-government arrangements and to refrain from adopting laws which weaken minority protection.