The Rights of Minorities in Europe A Commentary on the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

This volume provides the first expert commentary on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which is the principal international document establishing minority rights in a legally binding way. Many minority rights such as those to political participation, non-assimilation, and the use of native languages are not incorporated in other major Human Rights agreements. The Convention is therefore often taken to be the leading standard in this area of regulation. This commentary offers a detailed article-by-article analysis of the Convention, drawing upon its negotiating history and implementation practice, in addition to examining the pronouncements of the Advisory Committee, which is the implementation body attached to the treaty.

Marc Weller is Director of the European Centre for Minority Issues and an Assistant Director of Studies in the Centre of International Studies at the University of Cambridge where he lectures on international law. He is a Fellow of the Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law and of Hughes Hall, Cambridge.