Federal Union of European Nationalities FUEN STATUTES

Section 1: Name and Purpose of FUEV

Clause 1
The Federal Union of European Nationalities (hereinafter referred to as FUEN) is at the service of ethnic groups and nationalities (hereinafter referred to as „ethnic groups“) forming a minority within any European national territory.

The FUEN is a registered association domiciled in Flensburg, Germany.

Clause 2
An ethnic group in the sense of Clause 1 is a community which manifests itself through characteristics it wants to retain, such as its own language, culture, and history.

Being e member of an ethnic group must be neither questioned nor impeded.

Clause 3
The object of the FUEN is to preserve national and regional characteristics, languages, cultures and the rights of ethnic groups as a whole and their members in particular, and also to create an internationally recognised code of rights of these ethnic groups.

The FUEN supports the efforts of the United Nations (UN), the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), the European Commission, the European Community and all other organisations seeking to defend human rights and basic human liberties within a European federal structure, to guarantee the continued existence of ethnic groups and their special characteristics and to promote the introduction of suitably adapted forms of self-administration for these ethnic groups.

The FUEN represents the interests of organisations formed by ethnic groups, as well those of individuals who belong to them. It especially acts before supranational and international organs, such as the European Commission for Human Rights, the European Court for Human Rights, and those agencies of the United Nations which are concerned with the protection of minorities and their members.

The FUEN supports the spreading of tolerance and understanding between nations in all cultural fields. This includes support of political, cultural and social interests of national communities and harmonious, neighbourly co-existence of majority and ethnic minority groups in the same region.

Clause 4
The FUEN, domiciled in the city of Flensburg, is a non-profit-making association acting solely for charitable purposes.

The FUEN acts unselfishly und pursues no economic interests.

The resources of the FUEN may only be used in accordance with the purposes laid down by clause 3 of this Statute.

Nobody may benefit from expenses which do not aim at purposes of the FUEN or are disproportionately high.

Section 2: Membership

Clause 5
Ordinary membership of the FUEN can only be granted to organizations which represent the interests of their ethnic group, are democratically constituted, fulfil the requirements of clause 2 of this Statute, and include a substantial part of their ethnic group as members should it be impossible for plausible reasons to found an umbrella organisation.

Two or more organisations representing the interests of the same ethnic group can also be admitted to the association as ordinary members.

The Youth of European Nationalities is also an ordinary member.

Clause 6
Other organizations which further and/or represent the interests of ethnic groups may be admitted as associate members.

Clause 7
Ordinary and associate members are proposed by the Board and admitted by a simple majority of the Assembly.

Clause 8
The Board is authorised to admit individual persons who are interested in the work of the FUEN as correspondent members

Correspondent members are invited to attend congresses and other events organised by the FUEN and receive FUEN publications.

Clause 9
If delegates from the home of an ethnic group are hindered from exercising their rights as members of the FUEN, the Board appoints a representative for the corresponding period.

Clause 10
Any member acting against the interests of the FUEN can, on the suggestion of the Board, be excluded by a two-thirds majority of the Assembly.

Membership may be ended at any time. Members who have not met their obligations towards the FUEN for more than two years can have their membership withdrawn by the Board.

Clause 11
The members contribute to the expenses of the FUEN according to rules which are precisely laid down by the Board. These rules shall pay regard to the membership and means of each member.

Clause 12
Members who have not paid their fee shall forfeit their voting rights in the Assembly of Delegates.

Section 3: Assembly of Delegates

Clause 13
The Assembly of Delegates is the supreme body of the FUEV. It consists of delegates nominated by the ordinary members, the associate members, the Youth of European Nationalities and the members of the Presiding Council.

Clause 14
Each ordinary member of the FUEN and the Youth of European Nationalities has 6 votes.

Associate members have one vote.

Each member of the Presiding Council has one vote.

Clause 15
In cases where one ethnic group is represented in the FUEN by more than one ordinary member, these organisations shall agree the allocation of the 6 votes amongst themselves. Should they fail to reach agreement on the allocation, the Presiding Council shall decide.

Clause 16
The Assembly decisions on important FUEN matters shall be reached by open ballot and by a simple majority.

The Assembly shall, in particular, be responsible for:

- the approval of guidelines and actions for the attainment of FUEN objectives;

- the approval of resolutions;

- the approval of the Presiding Council’s report on its activities and of the reports on activities submitted by FUEN representatives nominated by either the Assembly or the Presiding Council;

- the admission, reclassification and expulsion of full and associate FUEN member organisations;

- the approval of the FUEN budget, budget estimate and the auditors’ report;

- the election of the Presiding Council and the appointment of the two auditors;

- amendments to the Statutes. These require a two thirds majority.

Clause 17
The Assembly shall meet not less than once annually. It shall be convened in writing by the President not less than two months before the appointed date. It shall also be convened at the request of either two members of the Presiding Council or three full member organisations, who must state reasons for their request. The stipulated notice periods shall not apply in genuinely urgent cases.

Clause 18
Items for inclusion in the agenda must be received by the Presiding Council not less than six weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Nominations for election must be submitted in accordance with the relevant FUEN election regulations. The final agenda will be circulated to the members organisations two weeks prior to the meeting

Clause 19
The Presiding Council shall be entitled to approve submission of urgent proposals for resolution by the Assembly of Delegates.

Clause 20
Unless otherwise stipulated, the Assembly shall take its decisions by simple majority of the members present. Decisions may only be taken on matters listed in the agenda. Assembly decisions shall be minuted. The minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the Recording Secretary.

Section 4: Presiding Council

Clause 21
The Presiding Council shall be responsible for acting on the decisions of the Assembly and for advocating the FUEN’s objectives before national and international forums.

Clause 22
The meetings of the Presiding Council shall be chaired by the President.

Clause 23
The Presiding Council consists of the President and not more than six Vice-Presidents. These members are responsible for representing the FUEN in public.

A person nominated by the Youth of European Nationalities is also a member of the Presiding Council.

The Presiding Council takes its decisions on a simple majority by open ballot. The Presiding Council is competent to take decisions if a quorum of not less than four members is present. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the casting vote.

Clause 24
In the nomination and election of members of the Presiding Council, allowance must be made for fair regional representation and representation of the various linguistic groups.

Clause 25
Members of the Presiding Council are elected for a period of three years. The President and the Vice-Presidents may not be re-elected more than twice.

Clause 26
The Presiding Council shall appoint the Secretary-General.

Clause 27
The Presiding Council shall draw up rules of procedure and election regulations based on the statutes.

Clause 28
The Presiding Council shall be entitled to co-opt consultants to assist it in its work, appoint FUEN representatives to perform specific duties, employ staff as required and subject to availability, appoint expert committees and open regional offices.

Clause 29
Meetings of the Presiding Council shall normally be called by the President subject to a notice period of four weeks. The notice of the meeting shall include details of the agenda. Motions for decision shall be circulated to the members of the Presiding Council not less than one week before the date of the meeting. Meetings of the Presiding Council can also be convened at the request of not less than two Vice-presidents.

Clause 30
The FUEN can be represented judicially and extra- judicially by any two members of the Presiding Council.

Section 5: Secretary-General

Clause 31
The Secretary-General shall be responsible for conducting the routine business of the FUEN in accordance with the decisions of the Delegates’ Meeting and the Presiding Council. He shall report on his activities to the Presiding Council and to the Delegates’ Meeting.

Clause 32
The Secretary-General shall attend the meetings of the Presiding Council but shall have no voting rights.

Section 6: Final Regulations

Clause 33
These statutes recognise equal rights of both sexes.

Clause 34
In cases of doubt, the German version of these statutes shall prevail.

Clause 35
The FUEN can only be dissolved on proposal of the Presiding Council, by a decision taken at two consecutive sessions of the Assembly, each time by a two-thirds majority of members present.

Clause 36
In the event of a dissolution, the Presiding Council decides how to use the means of the FUEN. If the inland revenue office consents to it, these revenues shall be used for non-profit work in favour of nationalities.


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	The Statute of FUEN passed on 17th Mai 2007 during the FUEN Assembly in Tallinn / Estonia Section 1: Name and Purpose of FUEV Clause 1 The Federal Union of European Nationalities (hereinafter referred to as FUEN) is at the service of ethnic groups and nationalities (hereinafter referred to as „ethnic groups“) forming a minority within any European national territory. The FUEN is a registered association domiciled in Flensburg, Germany. Clause 2 An ethnic group in the sense of Clause 1 is a community which manifests itself through characteristics it wants to retain, such as its own language, culture, and history. Being e member of an ethnic group must be neither questioned nor impeded. Clause 3 The object of the FUEN is to preserve national and regional characteristics, languages, cultures and the rights of ethnic groups as a whole and their members in particular, and also to create an internationally recognised code of rights of these ethnic groups. The FUEN supports the efforts of the United Nations (UN), the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), the European Commission, the European Community and all other organisations seeking to defend human rights and basic human liberties within a European federal structure, to guarantee the continued existence of ethnic groups and their special characteristics and to promote the introduction of suitably adapted forms of self-administration for these ethnic groups. The FUEN represents the interests of organisations formed by ethnic groups, as well those of individuals who belong to them. It especially acts before supranational and international organs, such as the European Commission for Human Rights, the European Court for Human Rights, and those agencies of the United Nations which are concerned with the protection of minorities and their members. The FUEN supports the spreading of tolerance and understanding between nations in all cultural fields. This includes support of political, cultural and social interests of national communities and harmonious, neighbourly co-existence of majority and ethnic minority groups in the same region. Clause 4 The FUEN, domiciled in the city of Flensburg, is a non-profit-making association acting solely for charitable purposes. The FUEN acts unselfishly und pursues no economic interests. The resources of the FUEN may only be used in accordance with the purposes laid down by clause 3 of this Statute. Nobody may benefit from expenses which do not aim at purposes of the FUEN or are disproportionately high. Section 2: Membership Clause 5 Ordinary membership of the FUEN can only be granted to organizations which represent the interests of their ethnic group, are democratically constituted, fulfil the requirements of clause 2 of this Statute, and include a substantial part of their ethnic group as members should it be impossible for plausible reasons to found an umbrella organisation. Two or more organisations representing the interests of the same ethnic group can also be admitted to the association as ordinary members. The Youth of European Nationalities is also an ordinary member. Clause 6 Other organizations which further and/or represent the interests of ethnic groups may be admitted as associate members. Clause 7 Ordinary and associate members are proposed by the Board and admitted by a simple majority of the Assembly. Clause 8 The Board is authorised to admit individual persons who are interested in the work of the FUEN as correspondent members Correspondent members are invited to attend congresses and other events organised by the FUEN and receive FUEN publications. Clause 9 If delegates from the home of an ethnic group are hindered from exercising their rights as members of the FUEN, the Board appoints a representative for the corresponding period. Clause 10 Any member acting against the interests of the FUEN can, on the suggestion of the Board, be excluded by a two-thirds majority of the Assembly. Membership may be ended at any time. Members who have not met their obligations towards the FUEN for more than two years can have their membership withdrawn by the Board. Clause 11 The members contribute to the expenses of the FUEN according to rules which are precisely laid down by the Board. These rules shall pay regard to the membership and means of each member. Clause 12 Members who have not paid their fee shall forfeit their voting rights in the Assembly of Delegates. Section 3: Assembly of Delegates Clause 13 The Assembly of Delegates is the supreme body of the FUEV. It consists of delegates nominated by the ordinary members, the associate members, the Youth of European Nationalities and the members of the Presiding Council. Clause 14 Each ordinary member of the FUEN and the Youth of European Nationalities has 6 votes. Associate members have one vote. Each member of the Presiding Council has one vote. Clause 15 In cases where one ethnic group is represented in the FUEN by more than one ordinary member, these organisations shall agree the allocation of the 6 votes amongst themselves. Should they fail to reach agreement on the allocation, the Presiding Council shall decide. Clause 16 The Assembly decisions on important FUEN matters shall be reached by open ballot and by a simple majority. The Assembly shall, in particular, be responsible for: - the approval of guidelines and actions for the attainment of FUEN objectives; - the approval of resolutions; - the approval of the Presiding Council’s report on its activities and of the reports on activities submitted by FUEN representatives nominated by either the Assembly or the Presiding Council; - the admission, reclassification and expulsion of full and associate FUEN member organisations; - the approval of the FUEN budget, budget estimate and the auditors’ report; - the election of the Presiding Council and the appointment of the two auditors; - amendments to the Statutes. These require a two thirds majority. Clause 17 The Assembly shall meet not less than once annually. It shall be convened in writing by the President not less than two months before the appointed date. It shall also be convened at the request of either two members of the Presiding Council or three full member organisations, who must state reasons for their request. The stipulated notice periods shall not apply in genuinely urgent cases. Clause 18 Items for inclusion in the agenda must be received by the Presiding Council not less than six weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Nominations for election must be submitted in accordance with the relevant FUEN election regulations. The final agenda will be circulated to the members organisations two weeks prior to the meeting Clause 19 The Presiding Council shall be entitled to approve submission of urgent proposals for resolution by the Assembly of Delegates. Clause 20 Unless otherwise stipulated, the Assembly shall take its decisions by simple majority of the members present. Decisions may only be taken on matters listed in the agenda. Assembly decisions shall be minuted. The minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the Recording Secretary. Section 4: Presiding Council Clause 21 The Presiding Council shall be responsible for acting on the decisions of the Assembly and for advocating the FUEN’s objectives before national and international forums. Clause 22 The meetings of the Presiding Council shall be chaired by the President. Clause 23 The Presiding Council consists of the President and not more than six Vice-Presidents. These members are responsible for representing the FUEN in public. A person nominated by the Youth of European Nationalities is also a member of the Presiding Council. The Presiding Council takes its decisions on a simple majority by open ballot. The Presiding Council is competent to take decisions if a quorum of not less than four members is present. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the casting vote. Clause 24 In the nomination and election of members of the Presiding Council, allowance must be made for fair regional representation and representation of the various linguistic groups. Clause 25 Members of the Presiding Council are elected for a period of three years. The President and the Vice-Presidents may not be re-elected more than twice. Clause 26 The Presiding Council shall appoint the Secretary-General. Clause 27 The Presiding Council shall draw up rules of procedure and election regulations based on the statutes. Clause 28 The Presiding Council shall be entitled to co-opt consultants to assist it in its work, appoint FUEN representatives to perform specific duties, employ staff as required and subject to availability, appoint expert committees and open regional offices. Clause 29 Meetings of the Presiding Council shall normally be called by the President subject to a notice period of four weeks. The notice of the meeting shall include details of the agenda. Motions for decision shall be circulated to the members of the Presiding Council not less than one week before the date of the meeting. Meetings of the Presiding Council can also be convened at the request of not less than two Vice-presidents. Clause 30 The FUEN can be represented judicially and extra- judicially by any two members of the Presiding Council. Section 5: Secretary-General Clause 31 The Secretary-General shall be responsible for conducting the routine business of the FUEN in accordance with the decisions of the Delegates’ Meeting and the Presiding Council. He shall report on his activities to the Presiding Council and to the Delegates’ Meeting. Clause 32 The Secretary-General shall attend the meetings of the Presiding Council but shall have no voting rights. Section 6: Final Regulations Clause 33 These statutes recognise equal rights of both sexes. Clause 34 In cases of doubt, the German version of these statutes shall prevail. Clause 35 The FUEN can only be dissolved on proposal of the Presiding Council, by a decision taken at two consecutive sessions of the Assembly, each time by a two-thirds majority of members present. Clause 36 In the event of a dissolution, the Presiding Council decides how to use the means of the FUEN. If the inland revenue office consents to it, these revenues shall be used for non-profit work in favour of nationalities.