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Home Institutions & structures High Commissioner on National Minorities What we do
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

What we do

The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) gets involved in a situation if, in her judgement, there are tensions involving national minorities which could develop into a conflict. Much of the day-to-day work is in identifying and addressing causes of ethnic tensions and conflicts. The High Commissioner addresses the short-term triggers of inter-ethnic tension or conflict and long-term structural concerns. If a participating State is not meeting its political commitments or international norms, the High Commissioner will assist by providing analysis and recommendations. Based on experience, the HCNM publishes thematic Recommendations and Guidelines that give advice on common challenges and best practice. The High Commissioner also provides structural support through small collaborative projects that aim to achieve sustainability through increasing local ownership.
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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.
Conflict prevention and resolution
The OSCE established the High Commissioner on National Minorities to strengthen its early warning and conflict prevention capabilities. The High Commissioner is involved at the earliest possible stage in participating States where inter-ethnic tensions could lead to conflict. A society can be divided by factors related to ethnicity, religion or language, or a combination. If social cohesion is hampered, divisions can lead to tensions and even conflict. Minorities may face obstacles in participating in the socio-economic or political life of the country. The High Commissioner also works on long-term conflict prevention activities, including addressing the protection and promotion of minority rights, and providing advice and recommendations on how to maintain a stable multi-ethnic State.
Education and conflict prevention
Schools are an excellent place to foster mutual trust, break down stereotypes, explain the value of diversity and broaden understanding of universal human rights. Education equips children with the necessary skills to effectively participate in political, social and economic life. Teaching in and of minority languages and ensuring pupils have opportunities to learn the state or official language is particularly important, and the High Commissioner regularly reminds both government and minority representatives of both the right to education in and of minority languages and the responsibility of people belonging to minorities to master the state language.
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.
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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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.
Policing in multi-ethnic societies
Interactions between police officers and national minorities can help or hinder inter-community relations. Police need to be responsive to the concerns and wishes of all ethnic communities to guarantee a free and peaceful diverse society. The High Commissioner offers expertise on how police can deal sensitively with tense situations, encouraging authorities to include a minority aspect in law-enforcement structures and ensuring that police forces have the capacity to build lasting partnerships, based on trust, with all ethnic communities. This can require structural reform or targeted recruitment, training and professional support, constructive engagement with ethnic communities within community policing frameworks, operational practices, and building capacity for the prevention and management of conflict.
National minorities in inter-State relations
Almost every country has minorities, many of them belonging to communities that cross state borders. These communities can serve as a bridge and contribute to friendly relations, but the potential for tension can also exist, especially when states claim protection of their “kin” abroad, making these issues a matter of legitimate international concern. Although the primary responsibility for protecting minority rights lies with the state within which they reside, minority issues often engage the interest of more than one state. In such cases, the High Commissioner addresses issues not only within, but also between, states. The High Commissioner recommends that states resolve such issues on the basis of friendly and good neighbourly relations.
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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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.