minoritete

Minorities are groups within a larger population that share distinct ethnic, religious, linguistic, or cultural characteristics and are smaller in number or have less political influence than the majority. The term can refer to national, ethnic, linguistic, religious, or cultural groups.

Categories: Ethnic minorities, linguistic minorities, religious minorities, Indigenous peoples, and cultural minorities; minority status may be defined by self-identification as well as external recognition.

Legal framework: International human rights law recognizes minority rights. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992) sets out general protections. The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995) and related regional instruments provide duties for states to protect minority language, education, and culture. The OSCE also addresses minority rights through field operations and guidelines. National laws vary widely in how they define and protect minorities.

Rights and protections: Non-discrimination, equality before the law; freedom to observe, practice, and celebrate culture and religion; use of minority languages in private and public life; access to education in mother tongue where feasible; participation in public life and cultural, religious, or educational organizations; sometimes protective or positive measures to promote integration and equal opportunity.

Challenges and debates: Minorities may face discrimination, social exclusion, or political underrepresentation; policies range from accommodation and protection to assimilation or integration; debates exist over language policy, education, and the balance between minority rights and national unity; data collection on minorities is uneven and controversial.

See also: Minority rights, indigenous peoples, linguistic rights, Roma.