Join us for a discussion of Europe’s leading human rights organisation and how it can support current moves to enhance the rights of ethnic and linguistic minorities within Scotland.
Comprising 46 member states, the Council of Europe is dedicated to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its available instruments include the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM – adopted 1998) and the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages (ECRML – adopted 1993).
A founding member of the Council of Europe in 1949, the United Kingdom has ratified both the FCNM (1998) and the ECRML (2001). There is, however, limited public awareness of how persons belonging to ethnic and linguistic minorities can benefit from the protections offered under these treaties.
In both cases, independent expert committees regularly monitor how signatory states implement these treaties. Representatives of the two committees are visiting Glasgow in December for a dialogue with policymakers and civil society on current issues and recent expert recommendations specific to Scotland.
This visit also coincides with the forthcoming adoption of the Scottish Languages Bill and Scottish Human Rights Act. Our event will bring together representatives of the Council of Europe, Scottish Government and civil society for a discussion and Q&A on how the FCNM and ECRML can support policy development and implementation, including through fuller engagement and empowerment of civil society.
