scholarly journals Institutional and Legal Mechanisms for Protection of the Rights of Ukrainian Minority in the Warmia and Mazury Region

2021 ◽  
pp. 393-416
Author(s):  
Teresa Astramowicz-Leyk ◽  
Yaryna Turchyn
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Research Hypothesis ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
The Republic ◽  
State And Local

The research aims at presenting and exploring the mechanisms for protection of the rights of national minorities (based on the example of Ukrainian minority) in the Warmia and Mazury Region of the Republic of Poland. The research hypothesis is based on the statement that in fact the protection of rights of national minorities at the level of the Warmia and Mazury Region could be treated as a model, and thus implemented in other regions in Poland, or even in other countries facing the problems related to the protection of national and ethnic minorities. The main research problems are addressed within the questions: how is Ukrainian minority distributed in the studied region?; What are the state and local government institutions working for national minorities in the studied region of Poland?; What activities do these institutions undertake to ensure equal treatment of national minorities and provision for their rights?; How are these activities assessed by organizations/representatives of the Ukrainian national minority? The leading research method was the institutional and legal one. The research also contained the interviewing method as well as the focus group interview. Obtained results of the study confirmed the research hypothesis. It turned out that the Warmia and Mazury Region has created an effective institutional environment for the development of national minorities, including the Ukrainian one. It was possible thanks to the activity of the only Polish Plenipotentiary of the Marshal for national minorities and also the only National and Ethnic Minorities Committee of the Regional Council in Poland.

“Serbs” in Bela krajina: a (deliberately) forgotten minority?

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-194
Author(s):  
Romana Bešter ◽  
Miran Komac ◽  
Mojca Medvešek ◽  
Janez Pirc
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Border Region ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Minority Protection ◽  
National Minorities

There are three constitutionally recognized national/ethnic minorities in Slovenia: the Italians, the Hungarians and the Roma. In addition, there are other ethnic groups that could perhaps be considered as “autochthonous” national minorities in line with Slovenia's understanding of this concept. Among them is a small community of “Serbs” – the successors of the Uskoks living in Bela krajina, a border region of Slovenia. In this article we present results of a field research that focused on the following question: Can the “Serb” community in Bela krajina be considered a national minority? On the basis of the objective facts, it could be said that the “Serbs” in four Bela krajina villages are a potential national minority, but with regard to their modest social vitality and the fact that they do not express their desire for minority status, the realization of special minority protection is questionable.

scholarly journals Status prawny mniejszości narodowych w Republice Słowackiej

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 93-111
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Puzyniak
Keyword(s):  
Legal Status ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
The European Union ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
Legal Method ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government

Położenie mniejszości narodowych na terenie Republiki Słowackiej regulują liczne akty prawne. Wśród nich znajdują się dokumenty przyjmowane na gruncie krajowym oraz rozwiązania o charakterze międzynarodowym. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie treści najważniejszych ustaw oraz dokumentów, które wpływają na położenie mniejszości narodowych na Słowacji, a także przybliżenie reakcji organizacji międzynarodowych na wprowadzane przez Bratysławę regulacje prawne. The legal status of national minorities in the Slovak Republic The location of national minorities in the territory of the Slovak Republic is regulated by numerous national acts, the most important of which are the constitution, the law on the use of national minority languages and the law on the state language. References to national minorities can be found in many other acts, such as the Act on counteracting discrimination, the Act on Upbringing and Education and the Act on Radio and Television. The issue of minorities is also raised in bilateral agreements, an example of which is the agreement on good neighbourliness and friendly cooperation between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Hungary. The legal situation of minorities in Slovakia is also influenced by international organizations to which Bratislava belongs. In this case, the Council of Europe’s most significant influence, the European Union, the Central European Initiative and the United Nations. Over the years, the Slovak authorities have also created institutions responsible for activities for national minorities, and among them, an important function is performed by the Government Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic for National Minorities. This article aims to analyse the legal acts and institutions regulating the legal status of national minorities in Slovakia. The publication is also intended to show that the issue of minorities is covered in many legal solutions, and the Slovak authorities have developed a system of protection and support for this community over the years. The author used the institutional and legal method.

Electoral Accountability and Substantive Representation of National Minorities

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Lončar
Keyword(s):  
Political Party ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Substantive Representation ◽  
Electoral Accountability ◽  
National Assembly ◽  
Parliamentary Debates ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Minority Ethnic

This article examines under what conditions descriptive representatives of national minorities can also act as substantive representatives. It provides an empirical analysis of the behaviour of the representatives with ethnic minority backgrounds in the eighth National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. Specifically, the article builds upon a content analysis of all interventions in the plenary parliamentary debates of the thirty-one minority MPs in the period between June 2008 and March 2012. The analysis suggests that having a minority ethnic background or political party registered as a political party of national minority are not sufficient conditions for substantive minority representation. The findings show that minority representatives elected on minority electoral lists engage more in substantive representation of minorities than descriptive representatives elected to parliament either as members of mainstream parties or through pre-electoral arrangements of minority parties with mainstream political parties.

scholarly journals Prawne aspekty położenia mniejszości narodowych na Górnym Śląsku w latach 1918-1939

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-269
Author(s):  
Marek Maciejewski
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Geneva Convention ◽  
Language Education ◽  
League Of Nations ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
Upper Silesia ◽  
Legal Opinions ◽  
The Republic

This paper discusses the legal situation of German and Polish ethnic minorities in Upper Silesia, which was divided between Germany and Poland in the wake of uprisings (1919-1921) and the plebiscite of March 1921. The discussion concentrates on the provisions of the Upper Silesia Convention (known also as the Geneva Convention) concluded by the German Reich and the Republic of Poland for fi fteen years under the auspices of the League of Nations in May 1922. Emphasis is laid on the main provisions, including the so-called fundamental rights of minorities (Art. 64-68), which were meant to ensure equal treatment and free development in the spheres of language, education, religion, etc. to ethnic minorities. The discussion also touches upon other issues – which were not fully regulated by the Convention – concerning the interpretation of the term ‘ethnic minority’ at the League of Nations and other organisations and institutions (Inter-Allied Mixed Commission for Upper Silesia), as well as in the prevailing legal opinions in Germany and Poland at that time. On the example of the views of such jurists as Bruns, Flachtbarth, Walz, Cybichowski, Kierski and Kostanecki, arguments and controversies are shown which surrounded the criteria for defi ning ethnic minorities. Over this matter two views clashed. The fi rst and more popular held a person to be member of an ethnic minority if he or she expressed their bona fi de will to be counted as one (subjective criterion). The second was based on the assumption of objective membership in an ethnic minority (criteria of language, religion, culture and tradition). In the author’s opinion, the Upper Silesia Convention contributed to the reduction of ethnic tensions in the area where it was enforced.

scholarly journals Ensuring and protecting the rights of national minorities in the Visegrad countries (on the example of Slovakia)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-38
Author(s):  
Nadiia Kichera
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Main Research ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
Constructive Dialogue ◽  
Bilateral Cooperation ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Visegrád Countries

The main research objective of the study presented in this article was the ethnopolitics of the Slovak Republic, one of the V4 countries, namely the legislative base and the institutional ensuring the functioning of a system of protection of the national and ethnic minorities’ rights. Slovakia is one of the postsocialist countries that has made the transition to democracy on the way to joining the European Union. The country’s authorities conducted a series of reforms in the ethnopolitical sphere in accordance with European standards. An ethnopolitical picture and separate ethnopolitical challenges in the Slovak Republic are similar, especially in the border areas. Thus, the main goal of the ethnopolitics of Slovakia is to secure the rights of all minorities, interethnic tolerance and ensure the intercultural dialogue. Representatives of national and ethnic minorities in the Slovak Republic have a number of rights and opportunities, directly dependent on citizens whether they can organize themselves and use existing mechanisms for the benefit of their own community. In addition, the state's ethnopolitical strategy provides bilateral cooperation with the homelands of individual minorities. The bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia is one of the examples. Bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic in the field of protection and ensuring of minority rights is based on the work of the Intergovernmental Slovak-Ukrainian Commission for National Minorities, Education and Culture. The recommendations of the commission are an important tool for constructive dialogue between Slovakia and Ukraine, ensuring good neighborly relations.

Legal regulation of the status of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland

2020 ◽  
pp. 70-82
Author(s):  
Ihor Onyshchuk
Keyword(s):  
Practical Importance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop issues of legal regulation of the status of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland and to show the impact of foreign policy orientations of the Republic of Poland on the implementation of international law on national minorities. Methodology. Among the philosophical, general scientific and special scientific methods, the following were used: dialectical methods – comparative method – to clarify the general and specific patterns of functioning and development of legal regulation of the status of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland. The axiological method was used to find the value of the legal regulation of the status of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland and to reveal its theoretical and applied significance; activity method – for the formation of recommendations to improve the mechanism of protection of the rights of Ukrainian workers and meet the cultural, educational and spiritual and religious needs of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland. Originality. The scientific novelty lies in the theoretical understanding and delineation of ways to improve the well-being of the Ukrainian community in Poland and gain better prospects, which is extremely important given the territorial dispersion of Ukrainians, and will be an essential element in filling the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland. Results. The study found that in view of the revival of Ukraine's interaction with the Ukrainian community in Poland and in order to preserve the ethno-national identity of Polish Ukrainians, it seems appropriate for public authorities in Ukraine to address issues such as the use of practical influence of the Council of Europe. The rights of national minorities and the rule of law in the Member States, etc. Practical importance. The results of the study can be used in law-making activities in order to legally regulate the protection of the rights of the Ukrainian national minority in the Republic of Poland.

scholarly journals RELIGION AND NATIONAL MINORITIES IN THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-159
Author(s):  
Vladimir Đurić
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
Political System ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Cultural Autonomy ◽  
Minority Identity ◽  
Minority Participation ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
The Republic

This article analyzes the normative regulation of the relation between religion and national minorities in the legal and political system of Serbia. The analysis of religion and national minorities in the legal and political system of Serbia includes four, mutually linked, groups of issues. The first includes issues of normative regulation of the very notion of national minorities and religion, as well as religion as an element of national minority identity. This article’s second field of interest is made up of issues of normative regulation of religion in the political participation of national minorities. The third group of issues are those pertaining to religion and the cultural autonomy of national minorities, as a specific method of national minority participation in the public affairs of the Republic of Serbia. The issue of the range of application of minority rights in the regulation of the establishment and functioning of churches and religious communities is the fourth group of issues observed. It will be noticed that religion is considered, among other characteristics, in the legal and political system of Serbia, the very essence of what makes a social group a national minority and can be the sole element of differentiation and determination of a national minority. The influence and importance of religion as an element of national minority identity is more pronounced and direct in the sphere of national minority cultural autonomy, then in view of their political participation.

scholarly journals Serbskie aspiracje do struktur europejskich. Sytuacja mniejszości narodowych i etnicznych w Autonomicznej Prowincji Wojwodiny ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem systemu kształcenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 187-201
Author(s):  
Mirella Korzeniewska‑Wiszniewska
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Open Problem ◽  
Ethnic Conflicts ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Autonomous Province ◽  
Official Status

Serbian aspirations towards European structures. The situation of national minorities and ethnic minorities in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina with particular emphasis on the educational system Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV) is an area in the northern part of the Repub­lic of Serbia. This region is inhabited by over 26 national and ethnic minorities, making it the most diverse ethnically area throughout Serbia. On the basis of the Constitution and special statutes in APV the following languages have official status: Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, Croatian, Romanian and Ruthenian. In addition, this area is the most economically developed throughout the country. Vojvodina is an example of a well-functioning multi‑ethnic commu­nities living in one territory, which in some regions of the Balkans remains an open problem. Therefore government in Belgrade tries to keep the European image of this autonomy to such an extent, that cyclically there appears information about the possibility of obtaining of the total independence of this territory and the separation from the Republic of Serbia. Para­doxically, such speculations can lead to the destabilization in other regions of Serbia. They did not obtain such a level of autonomy and mentioned speculations inspire some minorities into actions in order to get the certain independence (for example Boshniaks from Sandjak in western Serbia). The central authorities are aware of this fact and try to keep the control over all regions of the country that often can lead to ethnic conflicts. That raises the following question: to what extend wide autonomy of the Vojvodina is true and in corresponding to the constitutional policy, what fields of the life does this autonomy include.

scholarly journals Discrimination among Ethnic Minorities Groups in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-90
Author(s):  
Imam Subchi ◽  
Siti Amsariah ◽  
Ahmad Bachmid
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Minority Communities ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Data Source ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Given

This article analyzed the state of Singapore as a multiracial country and how Singapore issued regulations to harmonize life between different ethnicities in its society. This research used Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that allowed collecting relevant evidence on the given topic that fits the pre-specified eligibility criteria and have an answer for the formulated research questions. Data search was performed by searching the internet using databases such as Google Scholar, J store, Research Gate, Sage Journal, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The data source used in this research was the publication of the last 10 years. Some of the articles reviewed included minorities against Muslims, against ethnic minorities who were left behind in education and economics, and against people who failed to carry out the culture in the country of Singapore. These findings are largely consistent with the Singapore constitution, meaning that the Singaporean government provides equal treatment to all citizens. Article 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore guarantees the rights of minority communities to their religious belief and practice. However, in everyday life, there is discrimination against minorities, especially in terms of religion, culture, and social education. This research suggests enriching future research by obtaining interviews or direct questionnaires to minorities who live in Singapore.

scholarly journals THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MINORITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

AГГ+ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milijana Okilj ◽  
Ljubiša Preradović ◽  
Miroslav Malinović
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
National Minority ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Sacred Architecture ◽  
National Minorities ◽  
Architectural Evaluation ◽  
The Republic

The territory of the Republic of Srpska is well-known for a large number of foreign colonies formed after 1878. Foreigners from all over the Austro-Hungarian Empire were settled in the northern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, today covering the municipalities in the Republic of Srpska. The most dominant group among all national minorities was the Ukrainian. This paper deals with their sacred architecture, which significantly contributes to the image of architecture in the Republic of Srpska. Common properties, the historical context and background ideas are shown, along with selected examples of representative pieces of architecture, followed by a historical and architectural evaluation. Moreover, a note on the number of demolished sacred buildings is given, completing this paper that originally contributes to the historical research and analysis of architecture in this region.

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