National minority issues

Romani children are gaining greater access to schools, resulting from education reforms supported by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(Dejan Vekic/OSCE) Photo details

The OSCE identifies and seeks early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace and stability within and between states in the OSCE region. It promotes the rights of persons belonging to national minorities and pays particular attention to the situation of Roma and Sinti.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) works to address ethnic tensions and to prevent hostilities over national minority issues.

States are obliged to guarantee equal opportunities for everyone to participate in the economic, social, cultural and political life of society. Protecting national minority rights also has to be seen as a function of good governance and a way to promote integration. Adequately resolving inter-ethnic issues is in the interest of states and of the majority, not only of the minority. Persons belonging to national minorities whose minority rights are respected, who participate effectively in the political and economic life of the state, and who see that they can achieve their goals through the institutions of the state, are more likely to give their loyalty to the state and to accept their responsibilities to it.

The High Commissioner aims to contain and de-escalate tensions involving national minorities and gets involved in situations where tensions could develop into conflict. The High Commissioner addresses the short-term triggers of inter-ethnic tension or conflict as well as long-term structural concerns. Furthermore, the High Commissioner acts as a “tripwire,” alerting the OSCE when the situation threatens to develop beyond a level which can be contained with the “quiet diplomacy” means at the High Commissioner’s disposal.

A number of OSCE field operations also work in the area of national minority issues. Their activities focus on:

Better integrating national and ethnic minorities into public life
Ethnic minority protection
Training
Reforming the education system
Enhancing equitable representation
Strengthening the use of minority languages
Curbing discrimination
Building confidence among communities
Fostering regional networks to build sustainable institutions for minority communities and to protect their rights

National minority issues

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National minority issues

OSCE in Action

Information and activities on National minority issues from across the Organization.

Institutions and Structures

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

Minority and majority languages

When the legitimate concerns of both majorities and minorities regarding language use are accommodated, tensions are greatly reduced. Both sides need to compromise and recognize their mutual rights and responsibilities. This can be achieved through efforts to ensure multilingualism throughout society, and through using positive rather than punitive measures. If one language is promoted at the expense of others, this can be a considerable source of inter-ethnic tension. The High Commissioner frequently advises states to ensure that minority language rights are respected.

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Promoting effective participation in public life

Effective participation in public life is a prerequisite for a peaceful and democratic society. Without it, groups can easily become marginalized. It is especially important that national minorities are meaningfully consulted on decisions that affect them directly. The High Commissioner offers a broad range of recommendations on themes such as minority representation at national, regional and local levels; access to the civil service, judiciary and law enforcement; consultative bodies; and local self-government. The High Commissioner specifically reminds governments that everyone, including those belonging to minorities, has the right to effective participation and that it is an important aspect of good governance.

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Max van der Stoel Award

Every two years, the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Government of the Netherlands organize the Max van der Stoel Award. The prize of €50,000 is presented to a person, group or institution for extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities in the OSCE participating States.

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Integration of societies

Integration is a dynamic, multi-actor process of mutual engagement that facilitates effective participation by all members of a diverse society in economic, political, social and cultural life, and fosters a shared sense of belonging at national and local levels. Weak or non-existent integration policies often contribute to instability by failing to adequately address the root causes of tensions. Good integration policies can create a society in which everyone has a sense of belonging and of contributing no matter what their ethnic, linguistic, cultural or religious background. The HCNM therefore provides guidance and recommendations to help states improve the cohesiveness of their societies through context-specific advice.

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Minorities and the media

When minorities do not have sufficient access to the media, this can lead to tensions. The High Commissioner works directly with governments and minority representatives to support the right of national minorities to access to the broadcast media. Such work often involves reviewing legislation and providing advice, particularly in the areas of language, representation and regulatory frameworks.

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Access to justice and national minorities

Access to justice for national minorities is not only about minorities’ enjoyment of rights but is also relevant to conflict prevention within and between states. If states deny, restrict or fail to provide access to justice, national minorities may become alienated, which undermines social cohesion and increases the risk of inter-ethnic tensions. Minority communities may also seek support from “kin” states, potentially leading to tensions between states. The High Commissioner provides guidance and recommendations to states on the relationship between access to justice and conflict prevention and access to justice and national minorities, complementing the work of other international actors, which focus on access to justice in general.

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Field Operations

OSCE Mission to Moldova

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OSCE Mission to Serbia

To better integrate national minorities into public life, the Mission empowers Serbia’s National Minority Councils to exercise their rights in the areas of official use of minority language, education, culture and media. At the same time, the Mission supports efforts to enhance the state language proficiency of national minority students. It also works to support state institutions in improving conditions and mechanisms for the integration of national minorities into the diverse Serbian society. In that endeavour, it works in close partnership with civil society organizations.

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OSCE Mission to Skopje

To strengthen inter-ethnic relations in the country, the Mission works with the government and civil society on initiatives to reform the education system, enhance equitable representation, strengthen the use of minority languages, curb discrimination and build confidence among communities. It also fosters regional networks to build sustainable institutions for the respective communities and to protect their rights.

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