At a time when minorities face increased challenges worldwide, the Europe-Central Asia Regional Forum will mark the 30th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities by undertaking a critical assessment of its problem-solving capacity through a gap analysis focusing on the normative framework, institutions and mechanisms facilitating implementation, and the effectiveness of minority participation in norm-making and norm-adherence. The aim is to formulate concrete recommendations for the improvement of the regional and global minority protection regimes.
Specific objectives include:
- Identify how the existing global and regional minority protection regimes (norms, institutions and mechanisms) can be improved to be more effective at preventing and addressing domestic minority rights violations and at the promotion of minority rights;
- Assess the ways regional forums can bridge the gaps between domestic, regional and global protection regimes;
- Design action plans and platforms for local, regional and global civil society cooperation for the effective implementation of minority rights;
- Based on the presentations and discussions held at the regional forums, develop specific recommendations to address the gaps identified in relation to the improvement and effectiveness of the global and regional minority protection regimes.
1. Normative framework: existing norms and interpretations
2. Implementation: Institutions, Mechanisms, Policies, and Programmes
3. Minority participation as a procedural and substantive right and process
4. Moving Forward: Reforming the Protection and Implementation of the Minority Rights Framework
Outputs
Based on the discussions and the contributions of the participants, the main output produced from the regional forum will be a document with practical recommendations reflective of regional contexts and challenges.
- at the Diplomatic Academy, Vienna School of International Studies
- Virtually. Details on joining the meeting will be provided by email to participants a few days before the event.
Participation is open to individuals involved in minority issues in the Europe-Central Asia region (see list of eligible countries in the document below), and with a clear focus and expertise on minority rights.
All participants are encouraged to submit any proposed recommendations in advance of the Europe-Central Asia Regional Forum to marcus.oda@tomlantosinstitute.hu by Friday 29th April 2022. All written recommendations submitted in writing are collated and considered as part of the final set of recommendations developed during the regional forum.
There is limited funding for a very small number of individual participants, covering their travel and accommodation costs. The funds are prioritised for members of minorities to enable greater and diverse participation considering gender and geographic distribution. Priority will be given to minorities outside of the European Union in the first instance. If you require funding, please download the Funding Application Form available here and submit it to regionalforum@tomlantosinstitute.hu. All requests for funding must be received by Monday 18th April 2022.
For online participants, details for joining the meeting will be sent following confirmation of registration, a few days before the event.
Simultaneous interpretation is anticipated in English, French, Russian and Romani