Objective

The general objective of this sector is to promote human rights including the protection of minorities, democracy, democratic citizenship, successful functioning of democratic institutions and processes with all activities, events and projects of the Stability Pact for SE Europe. This includes the support for and strengthening of minority rights and mutual respect of different communities. In particular the following specific objectives should be reached:

• Development of democracy, promotion of human rights and the protection of minorities, democratic institutions and the promotion of democratic citizenship;

• Improve ethnic relations, promote multiethnic societies and create a climate of mutual respect and tolerance for each others’ differences;

• Ensure the legal protection of human rights of minorities based on the already existing highest European standards, inter alia the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights;

• Encourage the signature of bilateral agreements on the protection of minorities;

• Encourage dialogue and co-operation with civil society to play an active role in improving interethnic relations;

• Introduce a comprehensive regional strategy for the promotion of the status of Roma population;

• Encourage and improve research, education and training that would improve the general knowledge, consciousness and awareness of ethnic and cultural diversity and richness of the region and every individual country in the region. This should stimulate and contribute to co-existence and peaceful cooperation in multiethnic societies in the region.

Description

The Joint Statement and the Framework Program of Action adopted at the Portoroz Conference in March 2000 and the final Report of the Special Delegation of CoE Advisors on Minorities submitted to the Conference, and the List of Projects adopted by the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities express strong commitment of all Stability Pact participating countries to support activities aimed at promotion of democracy and human rights and at the promotion rehabilitation of multiethnic societies, where necessary, in countries of South Eastern Europe. For the achievement of goals indicated in these document, the implementation of the following measures is proposed:

• vigorous Awareness Raising Campaign on multiethnic society and democratic citizenship that will make a significant contribution to ethnic reconciliation. The campaign is being designed and implemented by the countries in the region.

• Ensure the implementation of already accepted international standards.

• Implementation of projects and programs developed by different agencies and organizations and adopted by the Task Force.

• Reform in national legislation. Countries should review their laws, policies and practices in order to identify and remove discriminatory aspects. In particular, countries should take steps to give formal recognition to the Roma minority and introduce positive programs for the elimination of their discrimination.

• The establishment of the International Center for Interethnic Relations and Protection of Minorities in SE Europe (at the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana) that would stimulate development of joint research projects, cooperation, exchange and networking in the field of ethnic studies in the region and broader. Countries and local governments should be encouraged to use research findings for the improvement of their ethnic policies and legislation that can contribute to better ethnic relations and cooperation. This includes the design and implementation of adequate teaching and training programs.

Countries of the region should expand the best practices noted by the above listed documents and especially by the report of the Special Delegation of Advisors. Countries are encouraged to exchange experience and, wherever possible, support initiatives coming from minorities themselves.

I.

The Framework Program of Action (FPA), adopted together with the Joint Statement at the Portoroû conference, is based on the expressed strong commitment of all Stability Pact participating countries to support activities aimed at promotion and rehabilitation of multiethnic societies, where necessary, in countries of South Eastern Europe, based on shared universal values and standards of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The inaugural meeting of the Stability Pact Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights on 18 and 19 October 1999 in Geneva welcomed the convening of the Portoroû Conference on Inter-Ethnic Relations and Minorities and mandated the Special Delegation of the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to conduct a series of consultations at the regional level with regard to human rights and minority problems.

The final report of the Special Delegation of CoE Advisors on Minorities submitted to the Portoroû Conference and the List of Projects adopted by the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities serve as the basis for this FPA that shall call for the development of national action plans, as well as joint projects addressing common concerns of South Eastern Europe. Plans should be transparent and exposed to public opinion.

II.

Expressing their support for projects adopted by the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities at Ljubljana meeting (17 February 2000), the conference participants indicate the following priorities:

- Awareness raising campaign

The campaign, to be successful must be based on a strong commitment by the countries concerned and on shared goals region-wide of the promotion of multi-ethnic society and democratic citizenship. The implementation of these goals through the campaign requires the setting up of a two-tiered structure: a European organizing committee and a series of national committees in each country.

The Awareness-Raising Campaign is envisaged to be carried out in a variety of fields, such as: media, culture, youth and education, civil society and government, parliament and administration. The activities planned within the framework of the Awareness-Raising Campaign will be of many different kinds, for example: public events, youth events and exchanges, cultural programmes and exchanges, festivals, NGO initiatives, media features, public hearings, seminars, workshops, grass-roots and town-hall initiatives, sport events, competitions and prizes, business ventures, internet communication, scientific research, exchanges and publications, return assistance, confidence building and reconciliation etc.

- Implementation of existing commitments

The level of protection of minorities in a democratic society should be considered a key indicator of democratic success. Participants emphasize the importance of fully implementing the existing obligations and commitments by enhancing the monitoring role of appropriate mechanisms at the national and international level, such as, inter alia, UN mechanisms, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Council of Europeís mechanisms including the Advisory Committee the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities, and, as appropriate, to give the widest possible dissemination to their findings. In this context, the conference strongly recommended that states quickly ratify and implement all relevant conventions regarding the protection of minorities. The conference also welcomes the initiative to launch a non-discrimination review.

The conference encourages states to participate actively in regional structures and their programs relevant to minorities and multiethnic societies (such as the CEI).

- Research, education and training

Research of the existing diversity, ethnic relations and the protection of minorities and the implementation of research findings for the improvement of interethnic relations are vitally important for the stability and democratic development of multiethnic societies. The Stability Pact also recognizes the need for continuous, systematic and coordinated research in this field for the successful realization of its objectives. This requires cooperation and coordination of relevant research institutions at the national and international levels.

Research findings provide key sources for the development of adequate education and training programs aimed at the promotion of tolerance, coexistence and equal cooperation in multiethnic societies. Such education and training programs based on the concept of democratic citizenship can promote also adequate participation of minorities.

- Roma

Promotion and rehabilitation of multi-ethnic society should involve special attention for an often neglected and marginalized minority ñ the Roma. Therefore, a comprehensive political strategy at the regional level must be adopted to ensure formal recognition of Roma as a distinct group with specific features, needs and aspirations, and to put an end to discrimination against Roma. These projects should promote specific programs of affirmative action especially in areas such as education and culture, employment, housing, health care, etc. Projects should assist Roma in forming their own associations, particularly those on a countrywide basis.

The participating countries and organizations support the particular projects on Roma submitted to all Working Tables and Task Forces of the Stability Pact. They furthermore suggest the creation of a mechanism to ensure that Roma concerns are given proper attention in all appropriate activities of the Stability Pact, for example the establishment of a regional working group to coordinate policies and projects.

III.

The Portoroû conference recalled the Declaration adopted on 11 December 1999 by the participants to the first Kosovo International Human Rights Conference and endorsed it as a welcome example of civil society support for multi-ethnic society. It strongly recommended that the declaration be taken into account for the envisaged awareness-raising campaign, as well as for the civil society conference to be convened.

The participants stressed the need to support democratic forces in Serbia.

Participants noted the efforts undertaken by Montenegro to implement democratic reforms and an effective programme of minority protection. In response to Montenegroís request for assistance, they agreed to continued and increased level of support, in particular by international organizations, such as the Council of Europe.

IV.

The conference reaffirms the importance of co-operation with all other ongoing and proposed activities of the Stability Pact, taking into account the need for synergy between its three basic pillars ñ Democracy and Human Rights, Economic Development and Co-operation and Security. It is particularly important to establish close co-ordination with various other projects which are being prepared in the framework of the Working Table I of the Stability Pact, particularly in areas such as education, media, return of refugees and internally displaced persons, good governance, ombudsmen and national human rights institutions.

No program or measure for the improvement of ethnic relations and the promotion of multiethnic society can be successful without the active involvement at the grass-root level. The conference expressed strong support to the ongoing efforts and activities of the non-governmental organizations.

V.

All Stability Pact activities and the realization of adopted projects will need to be reviewed in order to assure consistency of the overall approach and to anchor the commitments taken by individual states to concrete results in the ground. An important role in this respect could be played by the continued work of the Special Delegation of Council of Europe Advisors on Minorities. As a part of this evaluation process we suggest that an evaluation conference take place one year from now.

Link Diversity Projects: Guidelines for Selection

"Link Diversity" is a civil society initiative shared by 8 countries in South Eastern Europe whose aim is to promote multicultural and open societies and to develop links across communities and across borders. "Link Diversity" is part of a wider series of Stability Pact programmes aimed at combating discrimination, ensuring the application of international standards to protect minorities and encouraging the signature of bilateral treaties.

Achievements:

Implementation of projects: For "Link Diversity" to become a meaningful experience in the societies of the region, more projects need to be implemented and, if possible, covering the whole region. The Stability Pact and the Council of Europe are committed to supporting "Link Diversity" and the work of the NOCs as the motors and evaluators of the impact of the initiative. Coherence of the overall approach pursued by each NOC will through the EOC, which incarnates the values and promotes the objectives of the initiative on a region-wide scale.

Selection:

The projects presented in the tables below have all been conceived and proposed by civil society members or organisations. Their selection by the NOCs has been done on the following criteria:

Funding:

Funding for projects is to be given directly to the originating organisation/institution, or to the corresponding NOC.

Evaluation and monitoring:

Project implementation will be monitored first by the NOC in close contact with any other NOCs that are involved as partners in the project. A final evaluation will be then carried out on a regional scale by the EOC. "Link Diversity" should end in March 2003 with a report by the Special Delegation of Advisors who toured the region at the end of 1999 with a view to comparing the situation and measuring the impact of the initiative and of the accompanying measures in the legal field.

Platform for Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Preamble

Recognising the Roma as a national minority with its own language and culture living in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Appreciating the initiative of authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to draft legislation on national minorities, which provides Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the status of a national minority;

Having regard to the commitments concerning the protection of national minorities in United Nations conventions and recommendations, particularly the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the General Recommendation 27 Discrimination against Roma;

Considering the provisions of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees adopted in 1951;

Having in mind the documents of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, particularly the Copenhagen Document of 29 June 1990, as well as the OSCE Lund Recommendations of the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life;

Considering the provisions of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which entered into force in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 01 June 2000;

Having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and to the Protocols thereto, in particular the Additional Protocol no. 12 to the ECHR;

Having in mind the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation No. 3 Combating Racism and Intolerance against Roma/Gypsies;

Having in mind the Recommendation (2000) 4 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the Education of Roma/Gypsy and Travellers Children in Europe;

Bearing in mind the European Union Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 Implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment between Persons Irrespective of Racial or Ethnic Origin and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 Establishing a General Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation;

Bearing in mind the Guidelines Improving the Situation of the Roma in the Candidate Countries drafted by the Council of Europe and the OSCE-ODIHR and adopted by the COCEN Group of the European Union at Tampere in 1999;

Referring to the OSCE-ODIHR and Council of Europe Specialist Group on Roma/Gypsies Joint Recommendation on Setting-up National Consultative Bodies between Roma/Gypsies and Governments;

Taking into consideration the activities of the Council of Europe/OSCE-ODIHR/European Commission Joint Project Roma under the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe;

We, the participants of the Assembly Meeting of Roma NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina held on 9-11 November 2001 in Vogo__a, have agreed on the following recommendations:

Political Participation and Advocacy

To amend, in consultation with Roma representatives, the State and Entity Constitutions (Dayton Agreement) so that they reflect and acknowledge the historical existence of Roma as a national minority on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the legislation on national minorities to be adopted;

To create a national advisory board composed both of representatives from relevant ministries at State, Entity and Cantonal levels and Roma representatives in order to ensure a joint and co-ordinated approach to Roma by BiH authorities in the field of education, culture, social welfare, health care, housing utilities, employment, and other fields;

To establish the mandate, goals and functioning rules of the advisory board in close consultation with appointed Roma representatives, bearing in mind that these representatives shall represent, consult and report to all Roma communities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Roma refugees, returnees and displaced persons;

To ensure that the financial means for the functioning of this advisory body are secured in the annual budget of the responsible ministry;

To ensure that the proposed sub-department on national minorities, to be established under the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, includes full and effective participation of Roma representatives;

To ensure that Roma are represented in all governmental structures, including State, Entity, Cantonal and Municipal levels;

To promote minority representation within political parties by making it mandatory for political parties to have a specific number of minority members within their candidate lists;

To establish quotas for minorities, and Roma in particular, in Parliaments and Cantonal and Municipal Administration;

To ensure equal access to media for Roma and other minority members;

To combat prejudices and stereotypes against Roma in the media in order to improve the image of Roma in the face of public opinion;

To undertake public information campaign within Romani communities to encourage the self-identification of Roma in the next population census, and to ensure that Romani associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina are involved when authorities conduct the next population census;

To keep in mind when implementing the proposed legislation on national minorities, that figures concerning Roma are based on the 1991 census, which does not reflect the real Roma population living in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

To ensure access for Roma to documentation and statistics concerning their situation during the pre- and post-war period.

Education

To ensure non-discrimination in the school system and to guarantee equal access to education for Roma at all levels (kindergartens, elementary, primary, secondary school and university);

To provide opportunities for the training of Roma teachers;

To ensure the right of Roma to learn Romani through subsidised additional classes in Romani language, or as a subject in schools based in municipalities with large Roma populations;

To take measures to encourage the knowledge of the Romani culture, history and language among the majority population, and particularly teachers, through adequate curricula;

To ensure that budget for educational matters at all levels (Entity, Cantonal and Municipal levels) include a specific budget line for the education of Roma in order to provide free-of-charge textbooks, transport to school and one free-of-charge meal;

To sanction according to applicable laws in BiH, school directors and teachers who discriminate against Romani children;

To organise (Roma-to-Roma) training workshops for Romani adults willing to assist teachers in schools;

To ensure that curricula address the specific needs of Romani communities;

To receive national support for the production and distribution of Romani language teaching materials;

To assist Roma and the Council of Europe and OSCE mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the organisation of initial fact-finding field visits in Tuzla, Bijeljina, Kakanj and Sarajevo to take place in early 2002 with a view to make an assessment of the education of Romani children and make concrete proposals to solve them, and ensure participation of relevant authorities (Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and Entity/Cantonal Ministries for Education and Labour) in these activities.

Employment

To respect international labour standards, as well as to adopt regulations in the field of employment;

To take effective measures in cases where discrimination against Roma by labour offices/ministries and/or employers occurs;

To introduce public work programs for which Roma and other minorities would be employed;

To provide subsidies/incentives for small businesses in traditional fields (i.e. blacksmiths, coppersmiths, musicians, tapestry, etc.);

To establish social action or training programs for young Roma, ensuring that job offers correspond to the level of qualification;

To develop international re-qualification or upgrading programs for Roma, in particular, firms at the local/community level;

To encourage and assist Roma with the development, implementation and financing of income-generation programs (i.e. recycling projects);

To adopt measures to combat discrimination of Roma in the employment sector, particularly in the private sector, for example, abuse of working hours, delays in salary payments, lower salaries for equal work, termination of contracts on ethnic grounds and abuse of payment;

To ensure that employers pay social insurance benefits equally to Roma employees (i.e. health, disability, pensions, etc.).

Housing/Property

To ensure that reconstruction projects for Roma focus on the integration of Roma into society, rather than the construction of segregated settlements for Roma;

To guarantee that priority areas for reconstruction activities and donor assistance are identified by Roma communities and are then channelled to governmental authorities or international donors;

To ensure that reconstruction projects for Roma communities are given adequate political and financial support (including support from international donors).

Health

Romani Refugees/DPs/Returnees

Roma Refugees in Camps

Roma Refugees/Displaced Persons and Refugees

Report of the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities

26 May 2003

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):

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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&