Report of the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities

The TF HR&M, coordinated by Slovenia and cosponsored by the Council of Europe, focuses on achieving and promoting the highest human rights standards, democratization, improving ethnic relations and promoting multiethnic societies, especially by creating a climate of mutual respect, greater tolerance and better protection of minorities. Focusing on these issues the TF HR&M hopes to help the SEE countries to meet the Copenhagen criteria in their desire to join Euro-Atlantic integration processes. It pays special attention to the improvement of legal standards, strengthening of the civil society and cooperation between the state and civil society, promotion of democratic citizenship and rule-of-law. To this end it stimulates the strengthening of regional and local expertise, capacities and relevant institutions. It encourages the dialogue between local and national authorities and civil society that can improve interethnic relations and provide better legal protection of human rights based on European standards. This not only stimulates democratization in individual countries, but also cross-border cooperation, peace, security and economic prosperity in SEE. Additionally, the TF welcomes the signing of bilateral agreements on the protection of minorities and especially development of a comprehensive regional strategy for the promotion of the status of the Roma population.

Most ongoing activities of the TF HR&M are carried out by the implementing agencies of individual projects (see the second section). Important recent developments are the inclusion of the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in SEE from Thessaloniki with its “Reconciling for the Future” process, and the development of a collaborative project for the promotion of knowledge about the EU and European integration in the SEE countries within the 6th Framework Programme, coordinated by the Ljubljana Liaison Office of the Austrian Institute for Eastern and SE Europe.

More attention should be paid to the improvement of cooperation and information-flows between the TFs and WTs within the SPSEE, which have not always been very successful. The involvement of the SEE countries in the TF HR&M work has been satisfactory. Participation of the governments and NGOs from the region, but also the organization of the TF HR&M meetings in the SEE countries contributed to its regional ownership. Overall, it could be said that its work and activities successfully follow the parameters determined by the Meeting of Working Table I Task Forces in Vienna on 20 March 2003.

Major problems in the work of the TF HR&M were linked with funding. In addition to frequent delays in disbursement of funding, which created many problems to the implementing agencies, some donors (e.g., Italy) did not realize their pledges. Current activities, projects and programs within the TF HR&M are financed by different donors and funding agencies, while some projects are co-financed also by national governments. Coming to the end of their first phase, most projects are searching for the funding for next phases. Realizing the importance of their activities for the region, the implementing agencies often invest their own resources (allocated originally for other projects) in the successful completion and/or continuation of their projects in SEE. The continuation and further development of activities and projects of the TF HR&M will require additional and ­ especially in cases of long-term activities and programs ­ permanent funding. For this reason contacts have been established with a few possible donors that would be willing to support individual projects or the work of the TF.

All activities of the TF HR&M geared at the promotion of human rights and democratization are, by their nature, long-term processes and contribute to achieving of the SPSEE goals. Their success depends on a focused, but flexible and complex strategy for continuous coordinated activities, based on the long-term commitment and coalition of civil society, local government, national governments, international organizations and donors. This is reflected also in the structure and work of the TF1 HR&M. The evaluation process so far showed that the TF HR&M projects and initiatives have been successful in realizing their goals and programs.

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PROJECTS (following the determined numerical order):

1. Link Diversity Campaign (Council of Europe): Since launching of the ‘Link diversity’ Euro/regional project, the regional offices and the National Organising Committees created the regional network able to promote the main goals of the Project, such as the rehabilitation of multi/ethnic society and multi/cultural societies, the development of democratic citizenship and regional ownership of the Campaign. The first phase of the project concluded in July 2002 accomplishing its objectives (i.e. establishing of National Organising Committees in each participating country, promotion of the Campaign, call for projects, etc.). Individual projects, supported also by governments of participating countries, represent the second phase of the Campaign; their realization depends on funding. Donors: European Commission, Germany.

2. International Centre for Interethnic Relations and Minorities in SEE - ICIERM (Institute for Ethnic Studies, Slovenia): offers its expertise and advice to national governments, local authorities, NGOs, public and other interested institutions. Its successful work requires also the design, development and implementation of date bases, adequate educational, teaching and training programs and other relevant measures. Donors: Slovenia, Greece.

3. Establishing and Network of Hunan Rights Centres in Former Yugoslav Republic (WUS Austia and ETC-Gratz, Austria): The Human Rights Centeres (HRC) in SEE (Banja Luka, Mostar, Podgorica, Phristina and Focal/Contact points in Belgrade, Skopje, Zagreb) developed as main contact and meeting points and resource centers (virtual library) for versatile human-rights related issues, both for the academic communities and the communities at large. A series of seminars and other activities also took place in the HRCs that search funding for the continuation of the project. Donors: European Commission, HESP.

4. Seminar-Study on the rights of National Minorities (Office for National Minorities of the Croatian Government, Croatia): The seminar was held in Zagreb on 4-5 December 2000. The Office for National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia produced a book (follow up of the seminar). Donors: Denmark.

5. Roma Projects and Initiatives (Council of Europe, OSCE/ODIHR): The joint project aimed at addressing the most acute crisis situation affecting Roma, policy making on Roma affairs and participation of Roma in civil society. A lot of activities have been lunched in the year 2000-2003. Donors: European Commission, USA, Germany, Austria, Norway, Council of Europe, OSCE/ODIHR.

   The second part of the Stability Pact project on Roma started officially mid-February. It will assist (state and local) public administrations in SEE in the development of national strategies for Roma and promote the entitlement of Roma to international Human Rights standards while empowering their participation, with a particular attention on Roma women and youth.

6. Roma in the Process of European Integration (Institute for Ethnic Studies, Slovenia): The three-year project is composed of three phases: demonstration of Roma condition in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia; comparison of the existing models of education; evaluation of educational models. The first phase has been completed. Donors: Slovenia, Austria.

7. Human Rights in the Balkans, Strengthening the Balkans Human Rights Networks (International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Austria): The IHF conducted several field missions in SEE countries, produced publications and reports on the various missions, organized seminars and training sessions, strengthened the Balkan Human Rights Network, etc. Donors: European Commission.

8. Maribor Initiative (ISCOMET, Slovenia): focuses on the promotion of interethnic and inter-religious dialogue in individual countries and in the region. So far two important round tables were convened: in Belgrade (14-15 December 2001) and in Timisoara (31 May- 1 June 2002). Other activities are: round table in Maribor (7-8 March 2003); round tables planned to be held in FRY Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania and Croatia. The project will end with the Concluding Conference. Donors: European Commission, CCFD Paris, Westminister Foundation for Democracy, Folmer Wisti Fundation for International Understanding, Slovenia.

9. Non-discrimination Review (Council of Europe): During the first months of 2003, the recently established Country groups should submit Preliminary Assessment reports; whilst the other Country groups will submit more substantial reports. Based on more substantial reports the Country will continue to develop and begin to implement projects that directly follow-up on the proposals submitted in reporst. A Final Review Conference is to be held in Strasbourg in 2003. Donors: Switzerland.

10. Acceptance and Implementation of Existing Standards (Council of Europe): The project consists in drawing-up and implementing a program of activities targeting the adherence to/implementation of the European standards in the field of protection of national minorities. Further activities are planed in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro (Serbia, Kosovo), Croatia, Moldova, Romania. On multilateral level translation and printing of opinions of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as well as the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers will be carried out. Donors: Switzerland.

11. Bilateral Cooperation Agreements (Council of Europe): The project aims at reinforcing/encouraging bilateral co-operation in the field of minorities. Activities planned (bilateral): consultation meetings in the North and South of Moldova in areas where the Bulgarian and Ukrainian minorities live compactly. Activities planned (multilateral): a workshop focusing on possibilities for strengthening the participation of Roma at the local level in Ungheni, Moldova, on 14-15 December 2003; a publication on the work of Joint Commissions responsible for implementing bilateral agreements in the field of minorities (follow up of the meeting held in November 2002 in Poiana Brasov). Donors: Switzerland.

12. MIRIS- Minority Rights Information System (European Academy of Bozen/ Bolzano): An electronic database on the legal aspects of minority protection is currently under development. The database itself contains not only all documents that are gathered from all States, but also any extra information and data that are compiled at the European Academy. Donors: Propter Homines Fundation, Liechtenstein.

Prepared by: Alja Klopsic, TF HR&M Dr. Mitja Zagar, Chair TF HR&