Final_K.elchian-Contemporary International Legal Mechanisms of Protection From Discrimination

8/2/2019 Final_K.elchian-Contemporary International Legal Mechanisms of Protection From Discrimination

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YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Contemporary international legal

mechanisms of protection from

discrimination

Karen Elchian06/12/2011

Program: Regional Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratization


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Table of contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1

The international law: treaties and mechanisms of protection from discrimination ............................ 2

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted byGeneral Assembly resolution 2106 (XX) on December 21, 1965: ............................................... 2

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by General Assembly

resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966: .......................................................................... 3

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted by General Assembly resolution

2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966. The provisions on the rights of minorities enshrined in the

following articles: .......................................................................................................................... 3

Convention on the Rights of the Child .......................................................................................... 4

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, signed on February 1,

1995. .............................................................................................................................................. 8

European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages ................................................................ 9

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Introduction

Taking into consideration the existence of national, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities in

most countries, the question of their protection on the background of the processes such as regional

integration, globalization and democratization is not only actual but also over time plays an

increasingly important role in the international arena. Despite the fact that all member states of the

United Nations are actually subscribed to the basic principles of universal protection of fundamental

human rights and freedoms, nondiscrimination and equality set forth in the Charter of the UN, the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in certain other covenants and pacts, still, in the world

continually these principles have been violated. The victims of these violations are foremost

minorities - most vulnerable group of the population and therefore they require some special

arrangements for protection of their rights. At the same time protection from discrimination and

discrimination prevention against minorities is essentially the first step in protecting these groups.

That is why, from my point of view, it is important to consider the question concerning the current


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international legal mechanisms of protection minorities from discrimination. The purpose of this

paper is to analyze existing international agreements on Human Rights in general and specifically on

Minorities Rights in order to determine concrete legal mechanisms of protection of minorities from

discrimination.

The international law: treaties and mechanisms of protection from

discrimination

Most international human rights treaties contain anti-discrimination provisions concerning

minorities. However, only some of them have specific mechanisms to protect minorities from

discrimination on grounds such as race, national origin, ethnicity, language and religion.

First of all, lets consider the relevant agreements adopted at the United Nations, their main

provisions and certain control mechanisms of their implementation and protection from

discrimination:

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial

Discrimination1, adopted by General Assembly resolution 2106 (XX) on December 21, 1965:

Article 4 of the Convention calls on States which have ratified the Convention to condemn all

propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas or theories of superiority of one race or

group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin, or which attempt to justify or promote racial hatred

and discrimination in any form, and undertake to adopt immediate and positive measures designed

to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination and, to this end, with due regard to the

principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Article 5 obliges States to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to

guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, color, or national or ethnic origin, to

equality before the in the exercise of civil and political rights, as well as rights in the economic,

social and cultural fields;

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Article 6 obliges States to assure to everyone within their jurisdiction effective protection and

remedies, through the competent national tribunals and other State institutions, against any acts of

racial discrimination which violate his human rights and fundamental freedoms contrary to this

Convention, as well as the right to seek from such tribunals just and adequate reparation or

satisfaction for any damage suffered as a result of such discrimination;

Article 7 obliges States Parties to adopt immediate and effective measures, particularly in the fields

of teaching, education, culture and information, with a view to combating prejudices which lead to

racial discrimination and to promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and

racial or ethnical groups, as well as to propagating the purposes and principles of the Charter of the

United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the

Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and this Convention.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 2, adopted by General

Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966:

Article 2 obligates Parties to the present Covenant to guarantee that the rights enunciated in the

present Covenant will be exercised without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex,

language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;

According to Article 13 state parties to the Covenant agree that education shall enable all persons to

participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all

nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for

the maintenance of peace. Thus, participants agree that access to education is an essential part of

ensuring minority participation in societys life.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights3, adopted by General Assembly

resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966. The provisions on the rights of minorities enshrined

in the following articles:

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Article 2 calls on states to respect and ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its

jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without any distinction such as race,

color, sex, language, religion, national origin ...;

Article 4 calls to adhere to the principles of equality and nondiscrimination on the basis of race,

color, sex, language, religion or social origin, with a retreat from its obligations under the Covenant

during a state of emergency in the state;

Article 20, calls to prohibit by law any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that

constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence;

Article 25 declares the equal civil and political rights without any discrimination;

Article 26 confirms the principles of equality and non-discrimination: All persons are equal before

the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect,

the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection

against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other

opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;

The most famous legally fixed position on minorities is article 27: " In those States in which ethnic,

religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the

right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess

and practise their own religion, or to use their own language." This article is particularly important

in terms of giving minorities the right to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic identity, as well as

the right to keep the differences and peculiarities, which minorities are willing to maintain and

develop.

Although Article 27 does not call for the adoption of special measures by States, the Covenant

parties must ensure respecting and practicing minority rights within their jurisdiction. Moreover,

States, according to the obligations enshrined in the previous articles, if necessary, must take action

to eradicate inequality and discrimination faced by minorities.

Convention on the Rights of the Child4, adopted by General Assembly resolution 44/25 on

November 20, 1989:

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Article 2 calls on States Parties to respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to

each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or

his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,

national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status;

Article 17, paragraph d) States Parties shall encourage the media to have particular regard to the

linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;

Article 20 states that when considering options to replace family environment, due regard shall be

paid to the desirability of continuity in a child's upbringing and to the child's ethnic, religious,

cultural and linguistic background.

Article 29 declares the consent of the States Parties that the education of the child shall be directed

to the development of respect for his or her own cultural identity, language and values ...;

Article 30 stipulates that in those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons

of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be

denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own

culture, to profess and practice his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.

To monitor the implementation by States its obligations under the United Nations had been

established appropriate committees, which the States undertook to provide periodic reports on

measures they have taken to ensure the rights of minorities in accordance with existing international

standards. Such a procedure provides for the submission of State reports to the appropriate

committee, the possibility of consulting the committee with a representative of the State as well as

comments from experts.

For example, to report on the implementation of the requirements of Article 27 of the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights the State is obliged to provide information about the presence

of minorities in the country and their percentage in states population, as well as on the specific

measures taken by the State to preserve the ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic identity of

minorities. In addition, States must report: the available guarantees of minority rights on the use of

their language in private and public life; the opportunity to use their language in the courts; the

possibility of representatives of minorities to receive education in their own language; the possibility

of free exercise of their religious rites; the possibility to create and maintain their own cultural
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associations, which are a necessary element of the rights of minorities to preserve their cultural

identity; the representation of minorities in local and central authorities.

The relationship between the committees and the States are based on an open dialogue. After

completing the review of the State report, committees publish their conclusions, which may reflect

violations of minority rights and include recommendations to the States. This recommendation may

include a call to the Governments to refrain from any further violations of the rights or the call for

additional actions adoption improving the situation. In this case, since the provision of these rights is

legally binding, their implementation procedures are constantly monitored by committees.

In addition to above mentioned agreements another important document exists - Declaration of

the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic

Minorities5. As of today, this is the only special United Nations document that reflects the special

rights of minorities, in addition to the universally recognized human rights guaranteed in other

international instruments.

In accordance with the principles of the Declaration - the State should provide minorities with:

Article 1 - protection of their national, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity, and identity;

Article 2 - right to enjoy their own culture, practice their religion and use their language in private

and public life, as well as the right to participate in cultural, religious, social, economic and social

life, the right to participate in decision-making processes concerning minorities at national and

regional levels, the right to establish and to operate their own association, the right to establish and

maintain contacts with other members of their group and with persons belonging to other minorities

in their own country and across national borders.

In addition, the Declaration establishes certain means by which the state must protect and guarantee

the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Thus, States should:

1) create favorable conditions for the development of culture, language, traditions and customs;

2) provide appropriate opportunities for minorities to learn their native language or create

educational system in their native language;

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3) take measures in the field of education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions,

language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory. Persons belonging to minorities

should have adequate opportunities to gain knowledge of the society as a whole;

4) provide appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the

economic progress and development in their country;

5) take into account the legitimate interests of minorities in the implementation of national policies

and programs, as well as in planning and implementing programs of cooperation and assistance;

6) cooperate with other States in minorities related issues, including information and experience

exchange in order to maintain mutual understanding and trust.

However, despite its uniqueness, this instrument does not impose legal obligations on states, thus in

a formal sense, state cannot be held responsible for the observance of the rights enshrined in it.

None the less, since the document was drafted and adopted by the General Assembly of the United

Nations, the Declaration suggests the possibility of political influence on the part of all UN member

states. For this purpose, to promote the rights enshrined in the Declaration a special tool was

developed - Working Group on Minorities. This structure created in 1995 has specific goals:

- consideration of compliance and implementation of the principles of the declaration;

- consideration of possible solutions to the problems of minorities, including the promotion of

understanding among minorities and between minorities and Governments;

- make recommendations on further measures to ensure and protect the rights of minorities.

The Working Group on Minorities has become an important platform for dialogue, where

representatives of governments, minorities and experts together seeking for peaceful and

constructive solutions to problems. In frames of this process a plan of specific actions based on

certain models - the experience of other countries is often created.

In addition to these mechanisms for the implementation of minority rights and protection from

discrimination - Committees and Working Groups, there is another mechanism - independent

experts.
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In order to study human rights in specific countries and for the preparation of relevant reports, the

United Nations appoints independent experts. By examining the situation of minorities rights in a

country independent experts publicize the violations and thus, directly opposing to these breaches of

rights and recommend measures necessary to secure them. International publicizing of minority

rights violations is a definite mean of pressure on the government discriminating minorities andthereby encourages them to solve the identified problems.

Another mechanism of protection against discrimination is the procedure for filing complaints of

violations of minority rights and claim compensation.

After the exhaustion of national mechanisms complaints about violations of minority rights may be

submitted to the United Nations. According to a number of procedures the complaints can be

submitted to appropriate committees by individual, group of persons or the state.

In addition to the United Nations instruments and mechanisms for minority rights protection and

their protection from discrimination there are also important regional agreements the Council of

Europe, providing for special rights for minorities:

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities6, signed on

February 1, 1995.

Without going into details of the instrument, well turn to the mechanisms of its implementation. It

should be noted, that the Committee of Ministers oversees the implementation of this framework

Convention by Participant States. First of all, control mechanism provides a procedure for reporting

- each party (the State ratified the Convention) transmits to the Secretary General the information

regarding the implementation of the Framework Convention periodically or upon request of the

Committee of Ministers. The Secretary-General, in turn, passes this information to the Committee of

Ministers. In this case the first report, which is intended to provide information on legislative and

other measures taken by the Party to fulfill the obligations under the Framework Convention, shall

be submitted within one year from the date of entry into force of the Framework Convention for the

Party. The aim of the subsequent reports is to complement the information contained in the first

report. In addition, in order to ensure effective monitoring of the implementation of the Convention

an advisory committee was established, whose task is to assist the Committee of Ministers in cases

where it determines compliance with the measures taken by Parties to implement the principles

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outlined in the Framework Convention. By results of Framework Convention monitoring publishing

of reports and other documents are stipulated.

European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages7, adopted in Strasbourg on

November 5, 1992.

The purpose ofthis charter is to protect, respectively, regional or linguistic minorities and its also

provides some mechanisms.

Again, there is a mechanism of periodic reporting procedure of the Parties to the Secretary-General

of the Council of Europe. A committee of experts after examination of these reports and

consultations with the Party prepare a report for the Committee of Ministers. This report

accompanied by the requisite comments may be publicized by the Committee of Ministers, which in

their turn may offer some recommendations to governments to improve the situation in the field of

minority rights.

Conclusion

In principle, since the protection against discrimination is integral part of the protection of minority

rights, the mechanisms of protection against discrimination are similar to the general mechanisms of

protection of minorities. Violations of minority rights and the facts of discrimination still occur,

despite the fact that over the past decade above mentioned mechanisms have been considerably

developed. In some cases, the basic rights of minorities are grossly and systematically violated,

leading to tensions between different groups, to internal and sometimes international conflicts. Thus,

ignoring or violating the rights of minorities poses a risk for international peace and security. As

experience shows, the fact of using double standards in international politics contributes to the

development of these processes.

Probably, deviation from this so much harmful to mankind policy and the establishment of single

standards for all, fair rules, universal and impartially effective accountability mechanisms directed to

the full realization of individual and collective human rights - is the only way to make the world,

eventually, more just and peaceful. Meanwhile, this idea seems quite utopian - minorities in the real

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world have to fight for their rights by all available means and methods, including using the above

mentioned and unfortunately not always effective mechanisms.

Bibliography

, . .1999:

, .

Official website of the Treaty Office fo Council of Europe

Official website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htmhttp://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htm

Documents

Final_K.elchian-Contemporary International Legal Mechanisms of Protection From Discrimination