This paper deals with the regulation of the use and official recognition of
names of persons belonging to national minorities in the minority languages
in international and Serbian law. The official recognition of names in the
minority languages could be faced with three types of challenges that require
legal interpretation and resolution: the way in which the name from a
minority language and script should be transcribed in the language and script
which is officially used, the possibility of dual use of the name and the
feasibility of changing the name and the legal legitimacy of such a request,
in cases in which such names have been forcibly changed. The laws and state
practices, the attitudes of international bodies, the theoretical
interpretations and the perception of the European Court of Human Rights in
connection with the above issues are different. The Republic of Serbia has
opted for the model of dual use of names which allows the official
recognition of the names in minority languages. On the other hand, the legal
provisions on the right to change the name and practice of its implementation
do not prevent the abuse of this right. The concept of minority self-rule
which is exercised by minority national councils, among others, in the field
of the official usage of the language and script also implies the question
whether it could be possible, by reference to the minority languages rules as
determined by the national council, to require a change of all national
minority member names that end with Slavic suffixes ?ic? and ?vic?, as it was
in the case at hand. The conclusion is that such attempts would not be
allowed in terms of human rights.
The factors of existence of the Ruthenian national community in Serbia