The Minority SafePack Initiative has powerful friends in the Council of Europe

It is important for the Minority SafePack European Citizen’s Initiative to have support from within the Council of Europe. In the interest of securing this support, at the invitation of Korodi Attila, member of the Romanian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the FUEN delegation lead by Vincze Loránt visited the autumn session of the PACE in Strasbourg. 

The Minority SafePack Initiative is an important tool for the protection of autochthonous national minority rights in Europe – was the conclusion of the meetings the delegation had with leaders of the parliamentary groups and representatives of several national delegations.

„It became clear over the past decade, that the institutional network of the Council of Europe is indispensable to the protection of the rights of minority communities. Several speakers at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voiced their conviction that similar measures need to be taken by the European Union. This is why it is important that we have support from within the Parliamentary Assembly”, stated FUEN President Vincze Loránt.  

During the discussions Korodi Attila pointed out: „The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe thinks it important to speak up each time in the interest of protecting human rights and minority rights”.

Chairman of the EPP-CD Group Axel Fischer agreed to a more detailed presentation of the Minority SafePack Initiative during the January session of the Parliamentary Assembly, so that the members of the PACE can sign the petition for this European Citizen’s Initiative.  

Leader of the social democrat delegation Michele Nicoletti has also assured the FUEN delegation of his support for the MSPI, and expressed that in his opinion this initiative enjoys cross party support, and a wide encouragement among the representatives gathered in Strasbourg.

The FUEN delegation sought out Goran Beus Richemberg from the liberal delegation. The German representative from Croatia suggested the FUEN to contact the human rights organisations of Europe in order to help liaise with the majority communities.

During the discussions the FUEN delegation had with the Hungarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly lead by Németh Zsolt members of the FUEN suggested that at the next session the plenary of the PACE should have the Minority SafePack Initiative on the agenda. This could be an excellent opportunity for the Council of Europe to urge the European Union again to adopt a minority protection framework.  

Member of the FUEN delegation and FUEN Vice-president Halit Habip Oglu and legal adviser for the Minority SafePack Initiative Frank deBoer brought up the specific issue of the Turk minority in Greece during the discussions.