Source description last updated: 23 April 2024

In brief: The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (CoE-ACFC) is a committee of independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe (CoE)’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) by state parties.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

State reports, Opinions of the Advisory Committee

Covered weekly on ecoi.net for countries of priorities A–C.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

Composed of 18 independent experts who are appointed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the CoE-ACFC “is entrusted with monitoring the implementation by all state parties of the rights contained in the Framework Convention for persons belonging to national minorities” (CoE-ACFC: 13th activity report covering the period from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2022, September 2022, p. 7). The independent experts forming the Advisory Committee are appointed for a period of four years and “shall have recognised expertise in the field of the protection of national minorities. They shall serve in their individual capacity, shall be independent and impartial and shall be available to serve on the Committee effectively.” (CoE-ACFC website: Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, undated)

The experts’ evaluation of the implementation by state parties follows a monitoring procedure and results in the adoption of detailed country-specific opinions. (COE-ACFC website: Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, undated)

Funding:

Council of Europe funds; no further information found.

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Council of Europe member states that have signed and ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine (COE-ACFC website: State parties to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, undated)

Thematic focus: information relating to the situation of national minorities (national legal framework; access to justice; hate speech and hate crime; access to education; socio-economic participation; minority languages)

Methodology:

“[T]he monitoring procedure requires each State to submit a first report within one year of entry into force of the Convention and additional reports every five subsequent years, or upon a specific request of the Committee of Ministers. Where it requires specific additional information, the Advisory Committee also sends States written questionnaires. The drafting of State reports often involves a process of consultation with minority and non-governmental organisations, who are also encouraged to submit alternative reports or information.

These [state] reports are examined by the Advisory Committee, who make use of a wide variety of written sources of information from State and non-State actors. The Advisory Committee has also developed the practice of carrying out country visits where it meets with government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of minorities, NGO’s, Specialised Bodies and other relevant interlocutors. […]

Following its examination of a State report, the Advisory Committee adopts an Opinion that is transmitted to the State concerned. The Opinion is made public four months after transmission. State Parties have an opportunity to comment on this Opinion. In preparing their response, they may choose to hold further consultations with minority and other non-governmental organisations.” (FCNM Brochure, undated)

Languages of publication:

English, French and the official languages of the countries concerned

Further reading / links:

Full text of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and explanatory report: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=157

Activity reports of the Advisory Committee: https://www.coe.int/en/web/minorities/meeting-reports-activity-reports

Current composition of the Advisory Committee: https://www.coe.int/en/web/minorities/current-composition

“The Impact of European minority rights norms” in Galbreath, David J. and Mcevoy, Joanna: The European Minority Rights Regime – Towards a Theory of Regime Effectiveness (pp. 82-92), 2012
https://books.google.at/books?id=IEaGDAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=de#v=onepage&q&f=false

Methodological note:

ecoi.net's source descriptions contain background information on an organisation’s mission & objective, funding and reporting methodology, as well as on how we cover the source. The descriptions were prepared after researching publicly accessible information within time constraints. Most information contained in a source description was taken from the source itself. The aim is to provide a brief introduction to the sources covered regularly, offering information on relevant aspects in one place in a systematic manner. 

All links accessed 23 April 2024.