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Begin New Search Political Geography Estonia Content Type Working Paper Publishing Institution European Centre for Minority Issues

1. Estonian ethnic minorities: The right to health and the dangers of social exclusion

Author:
Vadim Poleshchuk
Publication Date:
04-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
The Russian-speaking population of Estonia experienced serious problems on the labour market and in education in the years following the post-Soviet transition. The perception of inequality is typical among minority groups. Nowadays there are no significant disparities in terms of health conditions or access to the health care system for majority and minority groups; however, there are accumulated negative factors for the minority population, especially when we look closer at socially marginalised groups. In addition to their generally weaker socio-economic status, many Russophones face the problem of social exclusion, proven by higher rates of extreme poverty, incarceration, and homelessness, trafficking victimisation, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. All these factors may have an adverse effect on the enjoyment by ethnic minorities of the right to health. Considering the demographic make-up of Estonia, a reduced use of the Russian language in the provision of health services has emerged as a new challenge to the national health care system.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Estonia

2. The Aspect of Culture in the Social Inclusion of Ethnic Minorities Evaluation of the Impact of Inclusion Policies under the Open Method of Co-ordination in the European Union: Assessing the Cultural Policies of Six Member States Final Report Estonia

Author:
Abel Kirsch, Tarmo Tuisk, and Mait Talts
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
The Estonian National Report on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006-2008 has been prepared within the framework of EU Open Method of Coordination and in accordance with updated aims and principles adopted by the Council of Europe in March 2006.
Topic:
Ethnic Conflict and Human Rights
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe and Estonia

3. Enhancing Minority Governance in Romania. Report on the Presentation on Cultural Autonomy to the Romanian Government

Author:
Christopher Decker
Publication Date:
03-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
ECMI organized the first event of the “Improving Inter-Ethnic Relations through Enhanced Minority Governance” project on 3 February 2005 in Bucharest, Romania. The deputy prime minister, the head of the Department for Inter-ethnic Relations and four members of parliament attended the meeting. ECMI and two experts met with the group in the Government Building to discuss the issues surrounding cultural autonomy and the draft law on the status of national minorities. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the government with information concerning the issue of cultural autonomy for the draft law on the status of national minorities, which is currently being drafted by the Hungarian Democratic Union from Romania (UDMR) and the other 18 national minority parties represented in the Chamber of Deputies. This report seeks to provide an account of the presentations and discussions that took place during this meeting, including the theory and practicalities of cultural autonomy and the model of cultural autonomy used in Estonia.
Topic:
Demographics, Government, and Human Rights
Political Geography:
Europe, Estonia, and Romania

4. Towards Linguistic Diversity Management in the Baltic States

Author:
Vadim Poleshchuk
Publication Date:
05-2002
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
Different foreign rulers have controlled Estonia and Latvia for 700 years. In 1920, both countries attained independence from Bolshevik Russia. However, the period of the countries' first independence was short: Estonia and Latvia were incorporated into the USSR in 1940.
Topic:
Civil Society, Development, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Russia, Eastern Europe, Estonia, and Latvia

5. Ethnic Democracy and Estonia: Application of Smooha's Model

Author:
Priit Järve
Publication Date:
07-2000
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
This paper applies a model of ethnic democracy elaborated by Professor Sammy Smooha of Haifa University, Israel, to Estonia, a case which is usually regarded as marginal in this regard. This application shows that Estonia can be characterised as a combination of a strongly-defined ethnic democracy (citizens of the core ethnic nation are dominating the other citizens) and a control system (citizens of the core ethnic nation are dominating the stateless individuals of non-core ethnic origin). As the number of stateless persons is diminishing, the system of control slowly disappears and ethnic democracy may prevail. The legal foundation of ethnic democracy in Estonia is in the Preamble of its Constitution.
Topic:
Democratization and Ethnic Conflict
Political Geography:
Israel, Eastern Europe, and Estonia

6. The Criterion of Citizenship for Minorities: The Example of Estonia

Author:
Carmen Thiele
Publication Date:
08-1999
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract:
Using the example of Estonia, the criterion of citizenship as a prerequisite for membership in a national minority and its legal consequences for persons belonging to these groups is discussed. While at the universal level minority protection is considered as a basic human right, at the European level it is still viewed as a right of citizens. The author pleads for a simplification of the naturalisation process and the renouncing of the citizenship criterion as a requirement for membership of a national minority.
Topic:
Ethnic Conflict, Human Rights, International Law, and Nationalism
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe and Estonia