A/49/415/Add.1 English Page 16 so on. In the Dimitrovgrad elementary school and high school, all instruction is given in the pupils’ mother tongue. 75. The replies referred to above showed that those States pursued the policy of teaching minority languages as well as majority ones. Teaching minority languages prevented language loss and also prevented the linguistic and cultural assimilation of relevant ethnic and national minorities. Moreover, the minority language transmitting the cultural values and traditions of the groups significantly contributed to the groups’ identity. This right is closely interrelated with the right to education, which has been ensured in the aforesaid states. However, Denmark and Germany were the only States that specified that minority groups took part in running their educational systems. E. The right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life F. The right to participate effectively in decisions on the national level 76. The Governments pointed out in a general way that every citizen of their States, irrespective of his or her membership in a majority or minority group, had the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life and in decisions at the national level. In addition, it was stated that, in Germany, national minority parties were exempt from the 5 per cent clause, under which political parties were required to gain at least 5 per cent of the valid votes cast to be represented in the Bundestag. A similar provision was made in the Electoral Act for the regional parliament of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein. Within the scope of proportional representation, however, a Danish minority party must obtain a number of votes corresponding to the number of votes required for the last seat to be won in the parliament of Schleswig-Holstein according to the procedure. 77. The political organization of the Danish minority (and the ethnic Frisians) is the Sydslesvigs Vaelgerforening (SSV, South Schleswig Voters’ Association), which is based in Flensburg. This party has one member of parliament (who has parliamentary group status) in Schleswig-Holstein’s parliament, as well as over 100 representatives in district, municipal and local administrations throughout the region. The SSV no longer puts up candidates for election to the Bundestag as it sees no chance of obtaining the necessary votes to win a seat. There is, however, a consultative committee on matters concerning the Danish minority at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The committee is chaired by the Federal Minister of the Interior and includes members of the parliamentary groups in the Bundestag, a representative of the Government of Schleswig-Holstein and representatives of the Danish minority. It meets once a year and deals, in particular, with domestic affairs concerning the Danish minority and with the development of the minority’s rights. The Minister-President of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein has appointed a commissioner for the border region to tackle issues relating to the minority. /...