24/01/2019 Session
The Assembly today reiterated its appeal to all member States “to respond positively and pay close attention to the needs of persons belonging to national minorities and to safeguard their rights”, in particular as set forth in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Adopting a resolution based on the report prepared by Viorel Riceard Badea (Romania, EPP/CD), the parliamentarians underlined that full ratification of the Framework Convention by all member States of the Council of Europe is an important means of promoting the full and equal participation of all members of society, promoting and protecting the diversity of cultures and languages in Europe and guaranteeing stability, democratic security and peace throughout the continent.
Regretting the limited progress made since 2006 towards ratification of the Framework Convention by the eight States that are not parties to it, namely Andorra, Belgium, France, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Monaco and Turkey, the Assembly invited them to sign (if necessary) and ratify the Convention.
Also, the Assembly recalled, the ratification of Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights and full implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the rights of persons belonging to national minorities" would strengthen the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, whether or not such minorities are recognised as such.