46372 - From the Framework Convention to the Rights of the Indigenous People

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Athina Kehagias

Albania signed the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on 29/06/1995 at the Council of Europe, it ratified it on 28/09/1999 and implemented it on 01/01/2000.
Greece merely signed it on 22/09/1997 but did not ratify it. This difference is already a difficulty when one wants to claim rights within another State.
It additionally means that it cannot function at a bilateral level but that it ought to be enhanced through the infrastructure of Europe’s Council.
We also observe similarities with the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, recognized in 2007 by the United Nations since the superstructure is necessary.
There is however a difference.
The Framework Convention has been ratified by 39 countries whereas 143 countries have ab initio voted in favour of the Declaration.
Additionally both countries are within the same context in regards to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
In other words, the reciprocal influence is more natural and feasible.
It simultaneously gives yet another potential to a country nation, especially when there is no such thing.
With these tools we can see that the Declaration comes to enhance the Convention, but also so that we activate beyond the Council of Europe, the United Nations as well, in order to protect even more effectively the rights of innocent through the Just, against barbarism.