Michael P. Kitt
Question:68 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10313/95]
Written Answers. - Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
At the Council of European Summit held in Vienna in October 1993 Heads of State and Government instructed the Committee of Ministers "to draft with minimum delay a framework convention specifying the principles which contracting states commit themselves to respect in order to assure the protection of national minorities". An ad hoc Committee for the Protection of National Minorities (CAHMIN) has been mandated to carry out the task which was set by the summit in this regard.
The draft Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities drawn up by the CAHMIN was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 11 November 1994. It was opened for signature on 1 February 1995; Ireland was among 21 Council of Europe member states who signed the instrument on that occasion. To date there have been 27 signatories of the framework convention, which will enter into force upon ratification by 12 member states. Romania recently became the first member state to ratify the instrument.
The framework convention sets out a number of principles and objectives for the protection of national minorities in a wide range of areas including the legal, economic, social, and cultural fields. I consider that the implementation of this instrument will make a significant contribution to the developing corpus of measures for dealing with this important and sensitive area. Work is under way to enable Ireland to ratify the frame work convention at the earliest possible date.