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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 Slovakia
- Author:
- Michal Vašeèka
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The report of the Slovak team is divided into three parts. The first one describes social inclusion policies of Roma in Slovakia in general. The second evaluates inclusion policies of the National Action Plans on social inclusion by analyzing focus groups with experts, and the third one brings analysis of particular inclusion policies. The paper finally brings also rather theoretical input whether Roma have where to integrate and describes structural problems of social inclusion policies.
- Topic:
- Ethnic Conflict and Human Rights
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Slovakia
3. 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 Slovenia
- Author:
- Mitja Žagar, Miran Komac, Mojca Medvešek, and Romana Bešter
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The main purpose of this report is to evaluate the cultural policies introduced in the Slovenian National Action Plan (NAP) on Social Inclusion (2004-2006) in terms of their impact on promoting social inclusion of ethnic minorities. Cultural policies are here understood in a broad sense of the word – encompassing all policies that pay regard to any aspect of culture, be it culture in the sense of creative artistic activities (theatres, music, etc.) or in the sense of specific cultural/ethnic identity of the target groups.
- Topic:
- Ethnic Conflict and Human Rights
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Slovenia
4. Obstacles Impeding the Regional Integration of the Javakheti Region of Georgia
- Author:
- Jonathan Wheatley
- Publication Date:
- 09-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- This working paper is a consolidated and condensed analysis of a longer field report originally carried out as part of ECMI's action-oriented project “Defusing interethnic tension and promoting regional integration – the Javakheti Region of the Republic of Georgia”. Both the original field report, and this resulting analysis aim to provide an insightful overview of current the social, economic and political situation in two rayons (districts) of Georgia; Akhalkalaki rayon and Ninostminda rayon; which together combine to form a geographical area better known as the Javakheti Region in southern Georgia. By identifying and providing information about the current problems impeding the regional integration of Javakheti, this working paper will act as a guide for defining priorities and ensuring more informed intervention in the area.
- Topic:
- Economics, Ethnic Conflict, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Georgia
5. International Involvement in the South Caucasus
- Author:
- Natalie Sabanadze
- Publication Date:
- 02-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The South Caucasus represents one of the most diverse and conflict-ridden regions in the world. It includes the three former Soviet states Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as numerous ethnic minorities and small nations within these states. The term South Caucasus is relatively new and has been used to replace the older term Transcaucasia. According to Valery Tishkov, there is a strong drive of national elites to separate the region from Russia and dismantle old ties to the point of changing names. "It is noteworthy," wrote Tishkov, "that the historical name of the region Transcaucasus has been questioned by the proponents of new political correctness who wish to create a mantle distance from Russia. Consequently, the region is being renamed the South Caucasus" (Tishkov 1999:4). It is, however, worthy of mention that the earlier name Transcaucasus (Za Kavkazye in Russian) reflected the Russian geographical position and literally meant 'beyond or behind the Caucasus', as the three republics were seen from the northern perspective of Russia. Recently, the term South Caucasus has came into use in order to more accurately describe the region and as Tishkov rightly points out, to de-link it from Russia.
- Topic:
- Ethnic Conflict, International Organization, and Regional Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Eastern Europe, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
6. The Model of Ethnic Democracy
- Author:
- Sammy Smooha
- Publication Date:
- 10-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The classical model of the liberal-democratic nation-state is on the decline in the West as a result of globalization, regionalization, multiculturalism, the institutionalization of universal minority rights and the rise of minority ethnonationalism. While western countries are decoupling the nation-state and slowly shifting toward multicultural democracy, some other countries are consolidating an alternative form of a democratic state that is identified with and subservient to a single ethnic nation. This type of political regime, "ethnic democracy," combines the extension of civil and political rights for all permanent residents with an institutionalized ethnic ascendancy of the majority group. The core ethnic nation controls the state and uses it to further its national interests and to grant its members a favored status. The non-core groups are accorded individual and collective rights and allowed to conduct a struggle for change, but treated as second-class citizens and placed under control.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Democratization, and Ethnic Conflict
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe
7. The Effectiveness of the Exercise of Jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court: The Issue of Complementarity
- Author:
- Sammy Smooha and Susan Hannah Farbstein
- Publication Date:
- 10-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The prevalence of collective violence and the agony of mass atrocity may prove to be the twentieth century's most distressing and enduring legacies. From Germany to Uganda, from Cambodia to Sierra Leone, from the Former Yugoslavia to Rwanda, the past hundred years are replete with examples of terrifying violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed against diverse groups of people. Limited attempts to unveil the truth about past horrors, to hold individuals responsible, and to deter future offenses have repeatedly proven inadequate. A dearth of satisfactory moral and legal responses to these crimes often left victims suffering without any sense of reconciliation, while perpetrators routinely enjoyed impunity rather than facing justice.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Democratization, Ethnic Conflict, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Aid
- Political Geography:
- Uganda, Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia, Germany, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda
8. The Situation of Minorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Towards an Implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
- Author:
- Matthias KÖNIG
- Publication Date:
- 06-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- On 11 May 2001 the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) acceded to the Council of Europe's FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES (FRAMEWORK CONVENTION hereinafter). The new government in Belgrade, in power since the democratic revolution in October 2000, has thereby declared its political intention to improve the situation of minorities by revising its legislation in accordance with the normative standards of the FRAMEWORK CONVENTION. By identifying general patterns of minority treatment in both legal standard-setting and factual practice in the FRY over the past decade, this study contributes to an analysis of primary concerns to be considered in the implementation of the FRAMEWORK CONVENTION.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Development, Ethnic Conflict, International Law, and Nationalism
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Yugoslavia
9. 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
10. 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
11. Bilateral Agreements in Central and Eastern Europe: A New Inter-State Framework for Minority Protection?
- Author:
- Kinga Gál
- Publication Date:
- 05-1999
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- The practice of bilateral agreements on good neighbourly relations was 'reinvented' by Germany after 1991 to guarantee the frontiers resulting from World War II and to protect the minorities of German origin in Central and Eastern Europe. A similar policy was pursued by Hungary with five of its neighbours to deal with the problems of the Hungarian minorities. Parallel to this trend, the European Union has also promoted a policy aimed at guaranteeing stability in Central and Eastern Europe through bilateral agreements on good neighbourliness. The bilateral treaties follow each other in time, structure and content. They incorporate soft law provisions, especially with regard to their minority regulations, reflecting the strong influence of the political factor. They do not mention collective rights and fail to provide the national minorities concerned with any form of self-government. Furthermore, they were often negotiated in the absence of the minority communities they were designed to protect. As these treaties are politically highly motivated, the political aspects of the implementation mechanisms have received primacy over the legal possibilities. The treaties, and hence indirectly the provisions of international documents enshrined in them, have the same status as national legislation and could therefore be claimed before national courts. However, the joint intergovernmental committees monitoring implementation have the potential to become the most effective implementation mechanism. In conclusion, although these treaties have not significantly changed the existing practice of minority protection so far, their importance should not be diminished because they contribute to the construction of a new inter-state framework for minority protection.
- Topic:
- Ethnic Conflict, Regional Cooperation, and Treaties and Agreements
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Germany
12. The Albanian Aromanians' Awakening: Identity Politics and Conflicts in Post-Communist Albania
- Author:
- Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers
- Publication Date:
- 03-1999
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- Today, many thousands of Aromanians (also known as "Vlachs") live quite compactly in Northern Greece, Macedonia (FYROM) and southern Albania; and there are still traces of Vlach-Aromanian and Aromanian populations in Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Romania. In Albania, they were recently estimated at about 200,000 by the English scholar Tom Winnifrith. In Albanian communist times, Aromanians were not recognised as a separate minority group, officially considered to be almost completely assimilated. However, in the early post-communist transition period, a vivid Aromanian ethnic movement emerged in Albania and it became part of a recent global Balkan Aromanian initiative. The Albanian Aromanians' new emphasis of their ethnicity can be seen as a pragmatic strategy of adjustment to successes and failures in the Albanian political transition and to globalisation. It is exactly the re-vitalisation of the conflict between followers of a pro-Greek and a pro-Romanian Aromanian identification that serves to broaden the scope of options for potential exploitation.
- Topic:
- Development, Ethnic Conflict, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe and Albania
13. Conflict in Kosovo: Failure of Prevention? An Analytical Documentation, 1992-1998.
- Author:
- Stefan Troebst
- Publication Date:
- 05-1998
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues
- Abstract:
- Not too much of inside knowledge of the Balkans was needed to realise that the winter of 1997/98 turned the formerly autonomous Yugoslav province of Kosovo inhabited predominantly by Albanians into one of the most violent-prone crisis zones in Europe. In September 1997, a massive protest movement of Albanian students gained momentum; from November 1997 on, an underground "Liberation Army of Kosovo" (UÇK)) with an estimated strength of several hundred fighters increased the number of attacks on and assassinations of Serbian officials and police officers; and the regime retaliated first by police violence, show trials, long-term sentences, and nationalist tirades, then by bringing more and more security forces into the central part of Kosovo. In January 1998, The Economist depicted Kosovo as "Europe's roughest neighbourhood”.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Ethnic Conflict, and International Organization
- Political Geography:
- Eastern Europe, Kosovo, Serbia, Balkans, and Albania