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Minority Rights and M inority I n tegration a fter EU Accession

Minority Rights and M inority I n tegration a fter EU Accession. Nils Muižnieks Director, ASPRI U n iversity of Latvia. L ong-Term Impact of EU Minority Rights Conditionality?. Focus on Russian-speakers in Latvia/Estonia Focus on Roma in CEE (fear of Roma migration)

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Minority Rights and M inority I n tegration a fter EU Accession

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  1. Minority Rights and Minority Integration after EU Accession Nils Muižnieks Director, ASPRI University of Latvia

  2. Long-Term Impact of EU Minority Rights Conditionality? • Focus on Russian-speakers in Latvia/Estonia • Focus on Roma in CEE (fear of Roma migration) • Focus on legislation, programmes • Hopes of “value socialization”

  3. “Backsliding” after Accession? • No more pressure = no more discipline • Journal of Democracy: “syndrome” of populism (Poland, Slovakia),radicalization (Hungary), anti-minority rhetoric (Bulgaria, Cz), etc. • Latvia: Mixed picture – FCPNM ratification, but backsliding on language

  4. Minority “Policy” within the EU • No minority rights acquis • Institutions and programmes addressing minority-related issues: • European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) since 1982 • European Union Monitoring Centre against Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC)/Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) since 1997 • Immigrant integration activities since 2004

  5. European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) • NGO formed in 1982, based in Ireland • EU funding for research, cooperation, info exchange • Initial focus: small languages (Basque, Breton, Corsican, Sami, Sorb, Frisian, etc.) • Links to EU activities in culture, now multilingualism • See home page: www.eblul.org

  6. EU Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) / Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) • Est. 1997 Vienna, mandate expanded 2007 • Focus: research/data collection on racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, antigypsism; training; monitoring antidiscrimination legislation and practice • See home page http://eumc.europa.eu/fra/index.php

  7. EU Activities on Immigrant Integration until 1999 1) immigrant integration into labour market 2) meeting international humanitarian obligations 3) combating illegal immigration

  8. EU Activities on Immigrant Integration after 1999 • Tampere 1999: equal rights/obligations, status of TCNs similar to that of citizens • 2004: Common Basic Principles (integration two-way, language and democratic values) • 2007/2008: European Fund for the Integration of TCNs

  9. EU Focus on Anti-Discrimination • Why is discrimination a concern? • The mechanics of discrimination: • Stereotypes, social acceptability, likelihood of being caught and punished • Combating discrimination: combating stereotypes, changing discourse, and anti-discrimination legislation

  10. The EU Anti-DiscriminationAcquis • Race and Employment Directives • Direct/Indirect Discrimination • Harassment and instruction to discriminate • Realms: employment vocational training, work conditions, dismissal, pay, social welfare, social insurance, education,services, incl. housing • Shifting the burden of proof • Designating a responsible govt. agency • Giving NGOs legal standing

  11. EU Anti-Discrimination Initiatives • EUMC/FRA • Eurobarometers and other research • Community Action programmes • EQUAL programme • NGO support (ENAR, Roma orgs.) • 2007: Year of Equal Opportunities • 2008: Year of Intercultural dialogue

  12. Measuring Discrimination • Complaints to equality bodies, NGOs • Court cases • Surveys among minorities: perceptions of discrimination • Surveys among majorities: support for discrimination • Econometric research • Situation testing • Legal indices

  13. Let’s Look at Moldova... • I am the European Commission • I have heard complaints that Russian-speakers (and Gagauz) are discriminated against, I see unemployment figures, I have concerns... • I have money for the government and for NGOS

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