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20020508-12 47th FUEN Congreß of Nationalities in Subotica
20020613-14 A Minorities without »kin state« in Sankelmark
20020613-14 B Minorities without »kin state« Saami in Norway
RESOLUTIONS
20020509 Subotica
RECOMMENDATION to the EU
20020327 Whitebook FUEN Contribution
MANUSCRIPTS
20020509 Romedi Arquint in Subotica
20021105 Romedi Arquint in Copenhagen
PRESS RELEASES 2002 (No. 01-56)
Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein passes minority-report 2002
For the first time the parliament of Schleswig-Holstein passed its
report about the autochthon minorities, Danes, Frisians, Sinti and Roma,
and the situation of the regional language low German in the middle of
the legislative period. Speakers of all parties as well as the Minister
President herself agreed that minority policy is of the highest
importance and stressed the cultural wealth of the country.
Minister President Heide Simonis took the oportunity to point out that
the question of the Sinti and Roma which are not - as the other
groups - protected by the minorty paragraph of the state constitution,
must be discussed again.
In particular the work of the commissioner for minority affairs, Mrs Renate
Schnack was praised by all sides.
The last minority reports were always passed at the end of the
legislative periods. This time it was decided to choose an earlier point
of time. This was also accepted by present representatives of the
minority organizations. "This includes the possibility to point out mistakes and deficits in
time and to make corrections in the running legislative period“, said
Heinrich Schultz, president of the Sydslesvigsk Forening (SSF), at a
subsequent meeting, hosted by Renate Schnack and Rolf Fischer invited to.
Schultz also asked expressly for the inclusion of the Sinti and Roma
into the constitution.
Renate Schnack (left) and Heide Simonis
Continued existence of Radio Agora and Radio DVA in danger!
Via internet you can support the continued existence of Radio Agora and
Radio DVA.
The Slovenians language and Slovenian and Germans language programmes of
Radio DVA and Radio Agora, broadcast on the shared frequency 105,5
MHz, are undoubtedly among the most important achievements of the
Carinthian media world. The public presence of the Slovenian language
needs specific support and protection, because the size of most ethnic
minority groups is not sufficient to support the presence of their language
Both broadcasting companies guarantee the presence of the slovenian
language in two ways: Twelve hours of the programme are directed towards
the minority and fulfill the necessity and the legal right for media
in their own native tongue. The other twelve hours comply either the European view of
reciprocal respect for both cultural living in Carinthia.
The programmes of Agora and Radio DVA also support social cohesion. They
contribute to a better understanding among the cultures, serve as providers
of education and guarantee media variety and free, independent forming
of opinions.
Via internet you can support the continued existence of Radio Agora and
Radio DVA:
http://www.agora.at
EU Funds for minorities are decentralised
FUEV-Presidium from 28.-30. November 2002 in Brussels
In the framework of a regular presidium meeting a couple of days ago, several
members of the board took the opportunity to visit different EU departments. There
were talks with the Joint Office of the States of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
(see press release 53), with the Deputy Chairman of the committee for constitutional
issues, MEP Jo Leinen, with Ms Elfried Kretschmar from the DG 4 (Social Affairs,
Antidiscrimination and Civil Society), with the Stability Pact and with Dr Clemens
Ladenburger from the Secretariat of the Convent.
Furthermore there were very useful talks with the Information Centre for External Affairs
of the European Commission regarding the programmes PHARE and TACIS. The FUEN
delegation presented several projects, in order to check if those are supportable.
Mr Sven Olov Carlsson from the Poland-Desk went into more detail with the FUEN-delegation
about a/m guidelines.
The regular presidium meeting focused on the 48th Congress of Nationalities from
29-31 May 2002 in South Tyrol. Further details are available as soon as possible.
Mr Wollny from the Centre for External Affairs of the
European Commission explains the two programmes PAHRE and TACIS.
F.l.t.r.: Arquint, Wollny, Jessen, Hansen
Hanse Office and FUEN work closer together
FUEN-Delegation visited Office of the State of Schleswig-Holstein in Brussels
A FUEN-Delegation which consisted of President Romedi ARQUINT, Project Manager
Uwe JESSEN and Executive Secretary Frank NICKELSEN visited the Joint Office of
the States of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg - the so-called Hanse-Office on 28.11.2002
The Deputy Head of Office, Mr Günther SCHULZ, who is responsible for European and
Schleswig-Holstein institutions, PR, Baltic and External relations welcomed a cooperation
with FUEN and promised the FUEN-delegation any organisational help relating to Fund
Raising issues This time Günther SCHULZ and Dietmar HÄRTEL prepared a two-day
programme which focused on the present situation of the Convent and Fund Raising
programmes like PHARE and TACIS.
F.l.t.r.: Härtel, Jessen, Arquint und Schulz.
Further information
http://www.hanse.office.de
Cornish recognized as falling under Part II of the European Charter for
Regional or Minority Languages
At the beginning of November 2002 the British House of Commons decided to put Cornish
under the protection of the European Charter for Regional or Minority
Languages too. It is besides Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots and
Ulster Scots the sixth language which to be put under the protection of the charter
by Great Britain. This is an important milestone for the work of
the Cornish minority-organisations, especially for the Cornish Stannary
Parliament.
The Stannary Parliament which reached the status of an associated member
of FUEN at the last general assembly in Subotica also initiated the FUEN
resolution 2002/02 demanding the status of a national minority for the
Cornwalisians in the sense of the Framework convention for the
protection of national minorities. Unfortunately this has not happened so far.
The inclusion of Cornish into the language charter is the first
recognition of this endangered language and it will need many more steps
to keep it alive on a middle and long term basis.
Today just some hundred people can speak this celtic language which had
already died out in the last century and was then revived again.
In the framework of a so-called fact-finding-mission, the former president of FUEN,
the Breton in France, Per LeMoine (right) and FUEN Executive Secretary Frank Nickelsen
were informed about the unsatisfactory legal status
of the Cornish language and culture in February 2002. From left to right:
Rodney Nute, Dr. Nigel Hicks and Per LeMoine
Further information
http://www.cornish-stannary-parliament.abelgratis.com
The national minortities of Hungary after the elections
Round Table discussion about the election results in Budapest
Experiences of the last elections for the self-administration of the
minorities in Hungary and the phenomenon of ethnobusiness were in
the focus of interest of a round table discussion in Budapest. It was hosted by
the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Friedrich Naumann Stiftung). Among
the forum-participants were LdU chairman Otto Heinek, the member of the
SZDSZ parliamentary party Gabor Fodor as well as the Hungarian
commissioner for minorities Mr. Prof Jenö Kaltenbach (see photo below)
At the beginning the term „ethnobusiness“ was defined. „The name is
misleading and criticises the system of selfadministration. This model
is usable and supports a better understanding of minority issues in the
ethnic majority“, said the LdU chairman Heinek. The Germans in Hungary
do not have many contacts with this kind of business. They are much more
affected by partypolitics. Little parties which fail because of the five
percent-barrier, try to come into the local councils at the cost of the
German minority. This is morally unsatisfactory and impairs the interests of
the minorities. The LdU chairman drew attention to the favoured lists where
some parties took away mandates of the Hungary-Germans. He supported a
closer look at these election rules.
Otto Heinek pointed out again that he would like to have electoral
registers where candidates have to declare their affiliation to an
ethnic minority.
The ethnobusiness was to be expected Dr. Kaltenbach believed and showed
himself surprised that the constitutional court has not dealt with his
application for a renewal of the minority law yet. Here SZDSZ delegate
Fodor criticised a lack of political will to modify the minority
law. Now it is the task of government and parliament to pass the
necessary bill by May 2003.
The liberal politician warned against a reversal of the well-disposed
intention of the population towards minorities into a more intolerant
attitude.
During the discussion the unequal treatment of the minorities was
criticised. The Hungarian minorities in the neighbouring countries seems to
be more important than the comparable groups in Hungary. On an inquiry
about the connection between constitutional amendment and its effect on
the nationality it was answered that the second version of the application
should be shown to the self-administrations for examination.
It is their legitimate right to study such papers and express their
opinion. Not considering this would be an illegal procedure
comissioner Kaltenbach stressed. He will investigate this case.
Further information
Nr. 47 der Neuen Zeitung in Budpest
+36-(1)-302-67-84
neueztg@hu.inter.net
http://www.extra.hu/neuezeitung
EBLUL-conference in Greece
FUEN-Vicepresident Bela Tonkovic will represent FUEN
European Bureau for Lesser used Languages (EBLUL) will organise a seminar
from 15 -17 November in Thessaloniki, Greece, The conference will focus on the
support of minority languages in Greece in general. Among representatives
of different Greek minorities, the European Commission, Council of Europe
and the Society for Threatened people as well as FUEN-Vicepresident Bela
Tonkovic, a Croat in Yugoslavia will participate and present the greetings of FUEN
on Friday evening. Beside the general European framework conditions the focus
will also be on the situation of minority languages in Greece.
The conference will finish with an excursion to different
language minorities on Saturday afternoon.
Further information:
http://www.eurolang.net
http://www.eblul.org
»Framework Convention for the Protection for National Minorities must be updated«
Romedi Arquint was a Round Table participant in Copenhagen
At the invitation of the Danish Parliament Folketing there was a conference in Copenhagen
about minority issues on 05/06 November 2002. In the framework of a round table, which
consisted of Bertel HAARDER, Danish minister for EU affairs, Rolf EKEUS, OSCE-High
Commissioner for national minorities, Milos BUDIN from the Council of Europe,
FUEN-President Romedi ARQUINT drew attention to the fact that the new EU states
should not treated with different standards. ARQUINT critisied that the EU demands
that the new states establish amechanism for the protection for their national minorities,
although the EU still accepts that states like France and Greece do not do anything towards
accepting their national minorities.
Furthermore ARQUINT recommends updating the present instruments like the Framework
Convention for the Protection for National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional
or Minority Languages in order to benefit the ethnic groups and national minorities in Europe.
Arquints speech is available: http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5c_2002.html
From left to right: Bertel Haarder, Rolf Ekeus, Milos Budin und Romedi Arquint
On behalf of the two FUEN member organisations Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger und
Sydslesvigsk Foreining, Mr ARQUINT thanked the President of the Danish Parliament Folketing,
Mr Ivar HANSEN for the realisation of such meeting between representatives of minorities,
Parlamentarians and representatives of the future EU states.
About 100 persons participated in a/m conference . Only representatives from Russia did not attend
the conference. Mr. Claus LARSEN JENSEN stressed that the refusal was not linked to the Chechnia
conference, which took place in Copenhagen. Further reasons were not given.
Further Information:
http://www.folketinget.dk
http://www.nordschleswig.dk
http://www.sydslesvigsk-forening.de
OSCE conference: »The role of citizen-oriented police work
in building confidence among minority communities«
Dr Koloman Brenner represents FUEN from 28.–29. 10. 2002 in Vienna
The OSCE conference entitled 'The role of citizen-oriented police work in building confidence
among minority communities' was devoted to a topic that is highly current, especially in a
post-conflict situation, e.g. in the Balkan region at the moment.
Almost 30 representatives from OSCE states attended the conference at the Hofburg in Vienna.
Unfortunately only few NGOs were able to participate; this was spoken about in the discussion.
FUEN was represented by Dr Koloman BRENNER (see photo), a German from Hungary.
First, Roy Fleming from Northern Ireland and Prof. Arie Bloed from the Budapest Open
Society Institute presented the concept for the so-called 'citizen-oriented police work'.
The aim is to re-establish some of the confidence lost; here, the police were to take the
first step. The police frequently tend to sympathise politically in Eastern Central Europe,
which means that the development should move more towards them being a professional
service provider. The often authoritarian, patriarchal structure of the police, the mentality of the
police, has to be changed. Quoting examples of cases from Macedonia, Russia and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia illustrated that models should not simply be copied. The police can
only be restructured if politics and the whole of society change.
In his contribution to the discussion, Dr BRENNER pointed out that it is important to use
methods of positive discrimination to encourage members of minorities to work within police
associations. In addition, during the training of police, special attention should be drawn to
conveying a knowledge of the culture and mentality of members of minorities. Dr Brenner
emphasised that misunderstandings occur when police are deployed because many policemen
misinterpret certain behaviour.
This process of restructuring in the OSCE countries is important as integration in the
Euro-Atlantic structures is only possible when this society has already been integrated. Dr Robin
Oakley from Great Britain maintained that there is a systematic racism in Eastern Central
and Balkan countries, and that the minorities here function as a kind of barometer. The police
often criminalise members of minorities so that implementation of the new concept is
urgently necessary.
National Minorities on the European Agenda
International conference on national minorities in Copenhagen
On 5-6 November 2002 the Danish Parliament, the Folketing, is hosting an international
conference on national minorities. The aim of the conference is to set focus on the
national minority issue in the context of an enlarged EU. A number of distinguished guest
speakers have been invited, among others Rolf Ekéus, the OSCE High Commissioner on
National Minorities.
The Speaker of the Folketing Ivar Hansen states: “The Danish Parliament views the Danish
Presidency of the EU as a window of opportunity to focus on the issue of national minorities
in Europe. We wish to launch a debate with the coming EU member states on the necessity
of respecting the rights of national minorities.”
On the first day of the conference there will be contributions by the Danish Foreign Minister
Per Stig Møller, Romedi Arquint, President of the Federal Union of European Nationalities, Rolf
Ekéus, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, and Rudolf Bindig, the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The following day rapporteurs will present three specific cases on national minorities:
The Danish Minority in Germany and the German Minority in Denmark, the Russian Minority
in Estonia, and the Slovenian Minority in Austria
Each case will be followed by a debate with an expert panel as well as questions from the
floor. The expert panel consists of Ms Hanne Severinsen, MP for the Liberal Party and
Chairman of the Danish Delegation to the Council of Europe, Mr. Claus Larsen-Jensen, MP
for the Social Democratic Party and Chairman of the European Affairs Committee, Mr. Klaus
Carsten Pedersen, Director of the Danish Foreign Society, and Mr. Jørgen Kühl, Director
of the Danish Institute of Border Region Studies.
After the conference a press conference will be held on November 6th at 1:00 PM in room
1-117 (the Greenland room) with participation by Romano Arquint, Hanne Severinsen, Claus
Larsen-Jensen, Klaus Carsten Pedersen, and Jørgen Kühl.
Parliamentarians from the EU countries, the candidate countries, and Russia – which means
representatives from approximately 30 countries – have been invited to the conference.
Simultaneous interpretation will be provided into and from English, French, German, and
Russian. The programme and list of participants can be found on the following web-site:
http://www.euo.dk/minority
The conference will be held in cooperation with the Danish Minority Association in Germany
(SSF) and the German Minority Association in Denmark (BdN).
Further information:
There are a limited number of seats available for the press.
For registration please contact information officer
Mr. Søren Koushede
phone no.: + 45 33 37 33 21
or mobile phone: + 45 51 64 00 88.
Closing date for registration: November 4th, 2002.
Youth-Congress: „Europe in motion - where are the minorities?“
Seminar of the Youth of European Nationalities in Northern Schleswig, Denmark
From 31th of October until 3rd of November the 6th youth-leader-seminar of the
Youth of European Nationalities -YEN (http://www.yeni.org) will be held on the Knivsberg
in Northern-Schleswig, Denmark. The YEN is the greatest union for youth-organisations
of national minorities in Europe. At the moment there are 21 ethnic groups from all parts
of Europe represented as members. About 50 young people will participate this year at
the annual youth-leader seminar, e.g. Hungarians from Romania, Croats from Hungary
and Austria, Rhaetians from Switzerland, Germans from Russia, South-Tyrolians from Italy,
Frisians from Germany and the Netherlands, Sorbs and Danes from Germany.
This time the meeting is organized by YEN, the German Youth-Association for Northern-
Schleswig (DJN) and the political and cultural youth-organisation „Junge SPitzen“
(http://www.jungespitzen.dk). The organizers chose the motto: „Europe in motion - where
are the minorities?“. »With the seminar we have two different aims: First we want to show the participants
a realistic picture of the minority-situation in Denmark and try to promote possible solutions and support
based on we experiences we made with our so called border region-model to other minorities.
The second point is the organisational development of the YEN as a dynamic and vital network
for minorities,« explains the president of YEN, Jan Diedrichsen from Kiel (see photo).
Beside explanations about the German-Danish-Frisian borde-rregion and the work with our
own organisation as a highlight there will the YEN-culture night on Saturday the 3rd
November. To the music of the Frisian Jazzband „Da Åntretemåntre“ a fine programe is offered.
Next time the YEN will meet at the „Easter-Seminar 2003“ of the Carinthian Slovenes in Austria.
Further informations available:
http://www.yeni.org
http://www.jungespitzen.dk
Good result for Germans in Hungary at the local elections
On the 20th of October 8,1 million voters were called to elect mayors and local councillors
as well as self administration for the minorities within Hungary. There was voted in all
3153 local districts. The turnout of about 51 % was 5 % higher than 4 years before.
In 1308 places it came to the election of 1.870 minority self administrations with
a total number of candidates of 14.780. 9.500 were independent while 5.000 of them were
nominated by organisations. Compared to the last elections the number of candidates
increased up 4.300 canditates more than 1998. Among them were 2.007 Germans
(1791 independent, the rest nominated by 30 organisations).
According the provisional results it will be possible to find German self administrations
in 318 local districts. In comparison: between 1994 and 1998 there were 164 of those
institutions. In the last period their number was 247. 291 German minority-self-administrations
( with between 3 and 5 representatives) are expected to be founded. In 11 districts 1/3
of the elected representatives can set up a local partial-minority self administration, in 38
districts the local municipality can function as minority self administration itself.
According to our information 453 mandates in the village and municipal
councils were reached by Hungarian-German candidates. Their composition looks like this:
mayors in places with less than 10 000 inhabitants: 35
councillors in places with less than 10 000 inhabitants: 382
councillors in places with more than 10 000 inhabitants: 36
There is a German-Slovakian, a German-Polish and a German-Gypsie councillor. The
number of the elected members of the German minority-self administration was not yet clear
as we went to press.
There are also overlaps. In Nadasch e.g., where the vice-president of the parliament
Franz Wekler became mayor, all 5 members of the minority-self administration are also
councillors of the local municipality. So the German-speaking minority is ín second place
among all native ethnic communities. The most self administrations, 547, can be set up by
gypsies. They candidated in 1053 places. The provisional final result will be published after
vaiously fixed periods of time, the office-chief of the election authority Mrs Emilia Rytkó informed
editor Albin Lukács from „Neue Zeitung Budapest“.
Further detailled information as well as an interview with Otto Heinek
will be published by the German newspaper „Neue Zeitung“.
No. 43 Neue Zeitung in Budpest
+36-(1)-302-67-84
neueztg@hu.inter.net
http://www.extra.hu/neuezeitung
»Friisk Harfsthuuchschölj«: Frisian from morning to night
Frisian Autumn Academy at Danish High School (Højskole) in Jarplund
A date kids and youngsters eagerly await each year is for the Frisian Autumn Academy
held by the Foriining for nationale Friiske, in Frisian: Friisk Harfsthuuchschölj. And this
year, too. As the autumn holidays approach, 50 participants gathered once again for
a five-day Frisian get-together for the young and young-at-heart. Now the 15th
Harfsthuuchschölj, it took place at the Danish High School (Højskole) in Jarplund. As
always, a varied programme, this year's event include the production of info charts, a painting
and a guitar course, films and Frisian puppet theatre. Music and handicrafts, like sewing
or woodwork, are now part of the standard activities offered. A paper chase, a lantern
procession around the Jaruplund Højskole and a presentation by Antje Arfsten from
Nordfriisk Instituut (http://www.nordfriisk-instituut.de) about the Bordelum Rotte region
rounded off the event.
The Frisian Autumn Academy has given spoken Frisian new impetus,' the President
of the Foriining, Jörgen Jensen Hahn, who numbered among the participants with his
youngest daughter, is firmly convinced of this: “For many children, youngsters and parents, the
Frisian Autumn Academy has become an annual date on the calendar that has again
been noted for 2003. The Autumn Academy is a very clear example of the integrated approach
to spoken Frisian. This is a place where various fields meet in a totally natural way: school, leisure
and adult education.'
Further information:
Foriining for nationale Friiske
http://www.friiske.de
11th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in St Petersburg
FUEN Vice-President Hans Heinrich Hansen represented FUEN from 30.09.–01.10.2002
The minorities have to be particularly taken into consideration—especially in the Baltic region
-at the moment after the independence of the former CIS states,' is the opinion of Hans
Heinrich Hansen (see photo), who was the first representative of FUEN to go as an observer,
together with parliamentary delegates from Schleswig-Holstein led by Landtagspräsident
Heinz-Werner Arens, to the 11th Baltic Parliamentary Conference in St Petersburg from 30 September to 1
October. About 140 participants from Baltic states took part in the conference.
Europe is moving after the fall of the Wall. Ten new countries are soon to become members of the
EU and each of these states has minorities. The Baltic countries have experienced considerable
changes since their independence. Majorities have become minorities and vice versa. If they are
unable to live in peace and friendship, these countries—in which we place great hope—could go
through difficulties,' Hans Heinrich Hansen said after the conference.
The President of Schleswig-Holstein Parliament, Heinz-Werner Arens, had declared that the
foundations, on which the cooperation in the Baltic region is based, are marked by a philosophy
of rapprochement and growth from bottom to top. 'If this basis is not stabilised everywhere,
the whole system will start shaking,' Heinz-Werner Arens comments.
Hans Heinrich Hansen's opinion on this: 'we, as a minority organisation, can hear the grass
grow because we see the world from below, and we see our task as being to indicate developments
at an early stage that could detract from peaceful coexistence. That the minority issues in countries
that are not so secure in social and political respects as here in the German-Danish border region,
could hold substantial conflict potential, was illustrated the last time by the former Yugoslavia.
Wherever we are able to help with our knowledge and our understanding of minorities, we will help'.
The participation of FUEN in the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) is, in the words of Hans
Heinrich Hansen, extremely important in order to support the idea of diversity of regions in a unified
Europe. 'The parliamentary delegates also have, of course, other problems to solve than minority
issues, but without the minorities, Europe is only a torso. After all, one in seven citizens in Europe
belongs to a minority. To neglect these would be criminal negligence. And so we are very pleased
to see that Schleswig-Holstein has taken the initiative and that, with the involvement of the Land
President Heinz-Werner Arens, we have been able to obtain observant status at the Baltic Sea
Parliamentary Conference'.
At the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, the President of the Federation Council, Sergey
Mironov, the President of the Russian Duma, Gennady Seleznev, the Chairman of the Council
Assembly of St Petersburg, Sergey Karasov, and the Governor of St Petersburg, Vladimir Yakovlev,
mentioned the special minority situation in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Further information:
Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger
http://www.nordschleswig.dk
FUEN-Congress in Subotica available as pdf-format
47th FUEN Congress on Nationalities from 08-12 May 2002 in Subotica/Yugoslavia
The Federal Union of European Nationalities held its 47th Congress on Nationalities and its obligatory
Assembly of Delegates in Subotica/Vojvodina from 9–11 May 2002. The documentation
of a/m event is just finished and available on following site:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20020927DOKU_SUBOTICA.pdf
OSCE-Implementation meeting 2002 in Warszawa
Richard Donitza represented FUEN on 11 September 2002
In the framework of the main topics »Tolerance and Nondiscrimination« the participants
of the OSCE-Implementation meeting 2002 in Warszawa dealt with minority issues on
11 September 2002. A lot of NGOs, State representatives from Europe and USA
gave status reports about the minority situations in specific countries.
The FUEN was represented by Richard DONITZA, Executive Secretary of the Social
Cultural Society of the Germans in Silesia (German minority in Poland http;//www.vdg.pl)
and Deputy of the Sejmik Opole (see photo).
State representatives in particular value the present protection of minorities as satisfactory,
but unfortunately there was too little time to go into more detail. That meant that an exchange
of ideas between NGOs and State representatives was not possible. At the end conference
focused on the Gypsies. All speakers agreed that the present living situation of such minority is
unacceptable.
»Ways and new concepts were not discussed and positive developments, which can
regarded as model could not be dealt with on account of the lack of time«, critised DONITZA.
EBLUL celebrates its 20-year anniversary and the European Day of Languages
The consciousness of the Europeans for lesser-used languages has grown
within the last twenty years’, says Bojan Brezigar, President of EBLUL,
convinced. ‘But there is still a lot to do, as Europe is far from a
practical implementation of the principles stated in the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights.’
Looking into the future Brezigar says that the aim of EBLUL is to achieve a
basic standard for the protection and promotion of regional or minority
languages by implementing the principle of linguistic diversity. ‘Even if we
know that the situation differs from state to state, or even from community
to community, we understand that a certain general understanding of this
issue is needed. In order to reach this goal, some competences should be
given to the EU and a specific legal basis on regional and minority
languages should be adopted,’ Brezigar states.
It is not a coincidence that EBLUL celebrates its anniversary today. The
date is closely connected to the European Day of Languages on the 26
September, proclaimed by the Council of Europe last year as an annual event.
This is the result of the enthusiasm with which this day, but also the
European Year of Languages in general, was celebrated in 2001.
‘We appreciate it very much that linguistic diversity will be celebrated not
only within the European Union but also in the 45 member states of the
Council of Europe,’ says Markus Warasin, Secretary General of EBLUL. ‘It is
a good acknowledgement for EBLUL’s motto ‘Unity in diversity’. It also shows
that the linguistic diversity is a valuable heritage for all Europeans, not
only the speakers of lesser-used languages.’
Further details available:
EUROPEAN BUREAU FOR
LESSER USED LANGUAGES (EBLUL)
http://www.eblul.org
Representation of minorities - forms and structures be to represented
Annual meeting of the workshop of Slavonic national minorities in the FUEN
from 10 - 14 October 2002 in Bautzen/Budysin im Serbski Dom/ House of Sorbs
The FUEN-member organisation the Council of Lusatian Sorbs »Zwjazk Luziskich Serbow Domowina«
is organizing the annual meeting for Slavonic national minorities in the Federal Union of European
Nationalities. The topics of these annual meetings change regularly and are evaluated
correspondingly.
The main topic of the annual session will focus on »Representation of minorities - forms and structures
be to represented« The conference will be opened by Jan NUCK, chairman of the Lusatian Sorbs and
FUEN-Vice-President Dr Ludwig ELLE. Among lectures and seminars to a/m there will also be speeches
made by political representatives and a reception given by the Mayor of Bautzen, Mr. Christian SCHRAMM.
Furthermore the hosts are organizing the so-called Serbska kermus and cultural perfomances.
FUEN President Romedi ARQUINT will end the seminar with concluding remarks.
After a Sorbian-Catholic service and a guided tour of the city of Bautzen the venue ends with the 90th
anniversary of the Domowina in the Lusatian Hall of Hoyerswerda.This anniversary will also be attended
by the German minister for Internal Affairs, Otto SCHILY, the Prime Minister of Saxony,
Prof. Dr. Georg MILBRADT and Prime Minister of Brandenburg, Matthias PLATZECK.
The organizers expect guests from from Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, FR of Germany, Hungary,
Slovakia, Ukraine, FR of Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic
Further details available:
Zwjazk Luziskich Serbow Domowina
Postplatz 2
D - 02625 Bautzen / Budysin
Domowina@t-online.de
http://www.sorben-wenden.de
International Radio Council established
Radiostations from Romania, Hungary and Serbia founded the Radio Council »Funkforum«
On 16 September 2002 an international Radio Council was established in Timisoara/Romania.
It consists of radio stations from Romania, Hungary and Serbia. Chairwoman of the council is
the editor of Radio Temeswar, Ingrid SCHIFFER.
The council consists of seven radio stations from Romania, one radio station from Hungary and
the German programme of Radio Subotica. Preparations had been going on since March 2001.
Before the foundation there was an active exchange of contributions between the radio stations.
It is planned to expand the work to also include Croatia. In Essegg/Osijek a German programme
is planned. Among those who participated in the celebrations were the chairman of the Germans
in Hungary, Mr. Otto HEINEK, the Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Timisoara,
Mr. Klaus-Peter MARTE, and the State Secretary in the Romanian Ministry for Information,
Mr. Ovidio GANT.
Further details available:
No. 37 , Neue Zeitung in Budpest
+36-(1)-302-67-84
neueztg@hu.inter.net
http://www.extra.hu/neuezeitung
»»Mediaprojects of German-speaking National Minorities and Ethnic Groups in Europe«
The FUEN-Presidium participated in the XIII Congress on Nationalities in Carinthia
The Carinthian Government, Office for Ethnic Groups, the Carinthian Institute for Ethnic Minorities
(www.cifem.at) and the European Ethnic Broadcasting Association were the organizers of the
XIII Congress on Nationalities in Carinthia, which was held from 12-14 September 2002. Among
representatives from diffferent National Minorities and Ethnic Groups the FUEN were also represented
by its president Romedi ARQUINT, its Vice-presidents Dr. Ludwig ELLE, Dr. Bruno HOSP, TONKOVIC
and Secretary Gary FUNCK.
The main topic of the conference was "Mediaprojects of German-speaking National Minorities
and Ethnic Groups in Europe" and focused on journalists which belong to majorities and minorities from
West, Central and Easteurope.
FUEN-President Romedi ARQUINT, who had already held a speech on 11 September 2002 in
Tainach/Carinthia regarding town signs in two languages, underlined FUEN`position in a round table
discussion which focused on the media situation.: »Basically there is no ideal solution. It is necessary
to discuss how to improve the present situation« ARQUINT recommends that the National Minorities
and Ethnic Groups focus on the new media in order to establish themselves in those fields
In respective of this Reginald VOSPERNIK, representative of the national minorities in the
Council of the Austrian Radio/TV Council ORF welcomed that 2003 it is planned to establish radio
programmes for Gypsies, Slovaks and Czechs. The final decision will be made by the ORF.
The conference was opened with a photo exhibition about the 10th anniversary of the Gypsies in Austria.
Austria is the only EU-state at the moment which recognizes the Gypsies as an ethnic group.
From left to right: Bela Tonkovic, Dr. Bruno Hosp, DDr. Karl Anderwald (Chairman of CIFEM),
Romedi Arquint, Dr. Ludwig Elle and Gary Funck.
Council of Europe integrates NGO representatives from Central and Eastern Europe
in its work
Working visit of INGO representatives
from central and eastern Europe from 21 – 26 September 2002 in Strasbourg
In the framework of a Working visit of INGO representatives in Strasbourg, in order to study the different
departments of the Council of Europe the FUEN will be represented by Ms. Leila SULEIMANOVA from the
Public Movement “Multinational Georgia” .
The organizers od the event are Liaison Committee of INGOs, dem NGOs Unit, NGO Civil Society Division,
and the Directorate General for Political Affairs.
The aims of the event are
Information about the Council of Europe’s work
Information about the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of Europe
Information about the INGOs’ work at the Council of Europe and to
Integrate NGO representatives from central and eastern Europe in this work.
Ms SULEIMANOVA will be accompanied by the two representatives of FUEN: President Romedi ARQUINT
and former president Per LE MOINE.
FUEN-Seminar available as pdf-format
FUEN-Seminar in Cooperation with the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein
and the European Academy Sankelmark from 13-14 June 2002 now available as pdf-format
The FUEN organised a two day seminar in cooperation with the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and the European Academy Sankelmark about the small ethnic groups without a so-called »Kin-State« (> see programme press releases no. 24, 27). The documentation of a/m event is just finished and available on following sites:
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20020814DOKUSankelmark.pdf
http://www.fuen.org/pdfs/20020614Saami_Sara.pdf
Youth of Kosovo-Albanians and Serbs come together
at OSCE Seminar from 30.08. - 02.09.2002 in Subotica
Under the chairmanship of the OSCE representatives from different non-governmental
youth-organisation from Serbia and Kosovo met together. The main topic of the seminar was
how to deal with the after-war period and how to create peaceful coexistence, for all national
minorities and ethnic groups in Kosovo
FUEN-Vice-president Bela TONKOVIC, and also Deputy Mayor of Subotica welcomed the
participants and drew attention to the experiences Subotica has made as multi-ethnic town
and the province Vojvodina has made as a multi-ethnic region A region where it was succeed in
guaranteeing the youth a peaceful coexistence of different mentalities.
Furthermore the participants were informed of the aims and the work of FUEN in general and -
and FUEN`s specific role in conflict situations.
The main organizers were OSCE in cooperation with the Centre for Regionalism / Novi Sad.
The participants also took part in several events of the town of Subitica, in which all minorities
contributed multilingual shows.
German minorities from 22 states meet in Sankelmark
Annual meeting of the Workshop of German national minorities in the FUEN from
10 - 13 October 2002 at the European Academy Sankelmark / Schleswig-Holstein http://www.eash.de
The workshop of German national minorities in the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) will
be meeting for the 12th time this year. This workshop was established on the initiative of the German
Ministry for Internal Affairs in 1991 in Budapest as an informal workshop, including all those
organisations within the FUEN, the umbrella organisation of national minorities and ethnic groups
in Europe, which regard themselves as German minority organisations.
The main topic will be the documentation regarding the Ratification of the Framework Convention for the
protection of national minorities (see press release no. 2002-32)
The event will be opened by FUEN-Vicepresident Hans Heinrich HANSEN, Head
of Section in the German Ministry for Internal Affairs, Dr Detlev REIN, the Commissioner to
the Minister of the Land Schleswig-Holstein for Minority Affairs, Ms. Renate SCHNACK and the
Director of the European Academy Sankelmark / Schleswig-Holstein, Mr. Rainer PELKA.
Lectures will be held by Heinrich SCHULTZ, chairman of the Danish minority in Germany
(http://www.sydslesvigsk-forening.de) and Hans Heinrich HANSEN, chairman of the German minority in Denmark
(http://www.nordschleswig.dk)
Documentation regarding the Ratification of the Framework Convention for the
protection of national minorities
Questionnaire to the FUEN-Member organisations
Regarding a questionaire to member organisations asking for information on the involvement of representatives of ethnic groups affected in the compilation of the state reports for the charter, the presidium wants to know whether positive results can be documented regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities. In the course of a few days FUEN expects completed questionnaires by the FUEN-Member organisations. The results will be made public on the website of FUEN
Youth 2002 visit FUEN
In the framework of the Danish EU-presidency there is a project called Youth 2002 which is a European youth event with the intent to gather 1000 young people from all the EU-member states, applicant countries and the Balkans, at thirteen adult education centres in Denmark. Youth 2002 began on June 30th 2002 in Copenhagen and will end on July 13th 2002.
Three representatives from Turkey, Latvia and Italy (see photo) visited the FUEN-Secretariat and were
intruduced to the work and aims of the FUEN by Executive Secretary Frank Nickelsen.
The a/m youth2002 representatives are accomodated at Rønshoved Højskole. Rønshoved Højskole is situated in the border region between Denmark and Germany. It has been the scene
of many wars and conflicts, but is, today, a region characterised by Danish, Frisian and German minorities,
living peacefully on either side of the border.
More information about Youth 2002
http://www.youth2002.org
From left to right
Aleksanders Rzavins (Russian in Latvia), Elisabeth Alber (South Tyrolian in Italy) and Hakan Ener (Turkey)
48 th FUEN-Congress on Nationalities 2003 in South Tyrol
FUEN-Presidium meeting 06 July 2002 in Bozen / Bolzano
A couple of days ago the FUEN presidium (see photo below) met in Bozen / Bolzano. It was decided to arrange the next FUEN Congress on Nationalities from 29 to 31 May 2003 in Bozen / Bolzano. Further details will be made public as soon as possible.
Questionnaire to the FUEN-Member organisations
Regarding a questionaire to member organisations asking for information on the involvement of representatives of ethnic groups affected in the compilation of the state reports for the charter, the presidium wants to know whether positive results can be documented regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities. In the course of a few days FUEN will send questionnaires out to the FUEN-Member organisations. The results will be made public on the website of FUEN
Creation of a FUEN prize and a FUEN Expert group
Further topics were the a/m creation of a FUEN prize for persons whose efforts benefit national minorities and the installation of a FUEN Expert group to focus on minority issues.
Talks in South Tyrol
Before a/m meeting FUEN-President Romedi Arquint took the opportunity to talk to the vicepresident of the Region of Trentino-South Tyrol, Dr Richard Theiner as well as Dr Markus Warasin, Secretary General of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages.
The Presidium of FUEN
from left to right:
Dr. Bruno Hosp (South Tyrolian in Italy), Romedi Arquint (Rhaetian in Switzerland), Bela Tonkovic (Croat in Yugoslavia), Joseph Komlóssy (representative of Hungarian minorities living in Switzerland) and Dr. Ludwig Elle (Sorb in Germany).
Mr. Hans Heinrich Hansen (German in Denmark) is missing from the picture
Meskhetians on Hunger Strike
About 200 people of 68 Meskhetian families living in the village of Kievskoye, Krymski District,
Krasnodar Kray, Russia, started a hunger strike today, 22 June, 2002, protesting against the
policy of the district's and Kray's authorities, which is aimed at their ousting from the Kray.
Regarding a press release of the Novorossiysk Human Rights Committee the UN High Commissioner on Refugees has decided to send his plenipotentiary representative to Kuban (Krasnodar Kray).
Press release of the Novorossiysk Human Rights Committee, 22 June 2002
For more information:
Matvey Borsuk,
tel.: 681-7-611-070, fax: 681-7-610-610
E-mail: pressankph@rambler.ru
http://www.kpd.nvrsk.ru/monit.htm
FUEN and MRG recommend UN to install High Commissioner for Minority issues
FUEN-Vicepresident Joseph Komlóssy in Geneva
In the framework of the 8th session of the Working Group on Minorities at the end of May 2002 in Geneva, the Minority Rights Group/London (http://www. minorityrights.org) and a number of NGO`s - also the Federal Union of European Nationalities - called on the UN Commission on Human Rights to appoint a Special Representative of the Secretary General on Minorities, thus responding to specific requests made in this regard by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the Working Group on Minorities.
The special representative`s mandate would primarily focus on the prevention of conflicts involving minorities. Furthermore the mandate would include the promotion of inter-community dialogue and cooperation between states and minority communities to address latent conflicts and to de-escalate tension and, as necessary, provide early warning to the Security Council and Secretary-General, as well as other bodies.
Long term policy for minority issues requested
FUEN-Seminar in Cooperation with the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein
and the European Academy Sankelmark from 13-14 June 2002
The FUEN organised a two day seminar in cooperation with the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and the European Academy Sankelmark about the small ethnic groups without a so-called »Kin-State« (> see programme press release no. 24). The venue consisted of three parts: Round Table Discussion, workshop and excursion. The first part - the round table discussion (see photo below) was chaired by Director of the Academy, Dr Rainer Pelka..
Dr. Ludwig Elle (FUEN-Vice-president and a Sorbe/see photo above) opened the conference. Futher participants of the round table discussion were Dr. Alexander Morawa (European Centre for Minority Issues), Hans-Heinrich Hansen (FUEN-Vice-president), Dr. Brunon Synak (Vice-President of the Sejmik of Pommerania and President of the Kasubian Pommeranian Association) Rolf Fischer (Member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein
Chairman of the European Commitee), Ulrich Bohner (Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, Council of Europe) and Lars Harms (Member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and Member of the Frisian minority in Germany).
In the course of the round table discussion all participants agreed on the importance of maintaining small language groups and their cultures. Dr. Bruno Synak from Poland believes in a great chance especially for the Kasubian association. It is very important to interest the majority for minority issues and to make decisions only with both parts, that means minority and majority. In this case the Chairman of the European Commitee and member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, Mr. Rolf Fischer stressed the creation of a long term policy for minority issues on the basis of a greater acceptance of the majoriy population. Lars Harms - also member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and a Frisian drew attention to the fact that the majority also benefits from minorities.
Prof Els Oksaar from the University Hamburg held a lecture on the European Charter for Regional or minority languages before the President of the Schleswig-Holstein Parliament, Mr. Heinz Werner Arens finished the first part of the conference with concluding words.
The second part of the conference consisted of a workshop (see photo below) with the title:»Strategies of how to save the languages of autochthons little spoken from the standpoint of those concerned«
All representatives took the opportunity to introduce their specific minority situation before Drs. Henk Wolf from the Fryske Akademy, Ljouwert/Leeuwarden, NL made a longer speech about the West Frisian minority.
From left to right: Iaco Rigo (representative of the Ladins / South Tyrol / Italy), Dr. Brunon Synak (Vice-President of the des Sejmik of Pommerania and President of the Kasubian Pommeranian Association) Anders Sara (representative of the Samii in Norway), Dr. Nigel Hicks ( representative of the Cornish in Great Britain), Marcel Cantieni (representative of the Rhaetians in Switzerland), Lars Harms (Frisian minority in Germany), Henk Wolf (Fryske Akademy and representative of the West Frisians and finally Dr. Ludwig Elle (FUEN-Vice-president and a Sorbe)
The situations are totally different: The Cornish minority fights for its official acceptance by the British government, while the Frisians in the Netherlands have their own radio and TV programme and are represented in a political party. Ethnic groups have totally different problems in relation to national minorities:
Difference in their language, illiteracy, less media pesence and less acceptance in the majority. Those disadvantages must be overcome in the future. The day was finished by a Musical Contribution »Da åntretemåntre« (Frisian Jazz)
At the end of the seminar different Frisian organisations and institutes were visited, such as the Frisian Danish School (see photo below) and the «Andersen-House»in Risum-Lindholm and finally the „Nordfriisk Instituut“ in Bredstedt.
After the introduction of the Frisian Danish School by its headmaster and chairman of the »Foriining for nationale Friiske« Mr. Jörgen Jensen Hahn, the pupils presented a performance in 5 different languages, to stress the advantage of teaching in several languages.
Frisians meet Rhaetians
Language journey of the Foriining for nationale Friiske to the Rhaetians
The Foriining for nationale Friiske offers another language journey this year .
This time it is planned to go from 21 to 28 Juli 2002 to Switzerland.
In particular it is planned to visit the Rhaetian minority in the Engadine, in the Canton Grison.
The aims of these trips are to get to know other minorities in general and to focus on the differences
between both minorities. Furthermore it is the Foriining for nationale Friiske`s aim to improve its own
language.
There are still seats available!
Interested parties who are able to understand Frisian or want to learn Frisian are welcome to contact:
Foriining for nationale Friiske
Moose 4
D-25842 Aaster-Beergem/Ost-Bargum
0049 - (0) - 4672-77520
0049 - (0) - 170 2868779 Mobil
0049 - (0) - 4672-77521 Fax
M.Nissen@friiske.de
FUEN-Delegation in Moscow
Romedi Arquint and Hans Heinrich Hansen were invited to the Russian Duma
FUEN-President Romedi ARQUINT and FUEN-Vice-president Hans Heinrich HANSEN were invited to the Russian Duma to hold lectures about the European minority situation in general
and about the installation of an Ombudsman for minority issues in particular. The visit was on 20th May 2002. The draft of the installation of an Ombudsman were discussed by the President of the Russian DUMA, Mr. Genadij SELEJEW and the President of the Commission for Minority Issues, Mr. Valentin NIKITIN. Furthermore a lot of representatives of Russian politics and science were present. The a/m draft will be discussed and adopted in autumn.
„All involved participants consider the preservation of peace between the 170 existing
national minorities as an important element of the multi-ethnic federation and want to emphasize this by installation of an Ombudsman, says ARQUINT. Some participants were concerned about the fact that the Russian Government did not draw attention to this important issue.
The organisers proposed a follow-up venue in Western Europe, which would focus on the a/m issue in more detail.
»Cultural variety and identity in Europe«
FUEN- Seminar in cooperation with the the Land Schleswig-Holsteinischen and the European
Akademy Sankelmark on 13./14. 06. 2002 in Sankelmark http://www.eash.de
The FUEN plans a conference in cooperation with the Land Schleswig-Holstein and the European
Academy Sankelmark for ethnic groups without a so-called kingstate. Follwing groups will be focosed on
Kasubians, Rhaetians, Ladins, Frisians, Sorbs, Saami and the Cornish.
The Conference will be hold in German and English.
Present Programme
Cultural variety and identity in Europe
Thursday, 13th
Juni 2002
I. Information- and Discussion
09.30 h
Welcoming words
Dr. Ludwig ELLE, Vicepresident of FUEN
09.40 h
Regional Identity in Europe: Contributions from a political standpoint
Round Table and Discussion
Participants:
MdL Rolf FISCHER, Member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein
Chairman of the European Commitee
Dr. Brunon SYNAK, Vice-President of the des Sejmik of Pommerania,
President of the Kasubian Pommeranian Association
Ulrich BOHNER, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
Council of Europe
Dr. Alexander MORAWA, European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Lars HARMS, Member of the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein
Member of the Frisian minority in Germany
Hans-Heinrich HANSEN, Vicepresident of FUEN
chaired by:
Dr. Rainer PELKA, Director of European Akademy Sankelmark
11.45 h
Coffee Break
12.15 h
The European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages
according to experts
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c.mult. Els OKSAAR, University of Hamburg
13.00 h
Concluding words
Heinz-Werner ARENS, President of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein
13.10 h
Lunch (Paricipants must pay their own costs)
II. Workshop
14.15 h
Strategies of how to save the languages of autochthonous little spoken from the standpoint of those concerned
Presentation of divers ethnic groups
Kasubians, Dr. Brunon SYNAK
Rhaetians, Martin CANTIENI
Ladins, Iaco RIGO
Frisians, MdL Lars HARMS
Sorbs, Dr. Ludwig ELLE
Saami , Ándde (Anders) SARA and the
Cornish, Dr Nigel HICKS
15.45 h
Coffee Break
16.15 h
A possible solution: The Westfrisians in the Netherlands
Drs. Henk WOLF, Fryske Akademy, Ljouwert / Leeuwarden
Discussion
17.15 h
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