Discrimination in Access to Employment of Persons Belonging to National Minorities Barbara Wilson (Vice President of the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe) I. Introduction Madame Chairperson, Madame the Independant Expert, Distinguished Delegates and Participants, I should like to thank the organisers of the Forum for inviting me to speak at this very important occasion. As member of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, I have chosen to say a few words about a key issue dealt with by the Committee in its analysis of State party reports and during its country visits, namely discrimination in access to employment of persons belonging to national minorities. However, first of all I should like to point out that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is a relatively recent human rights’ instrument. It was adopted in 1995 and entered into force in 1998. It is a legally binding instrument and could serve as a model for the adoption of a future UN convention on minorities. Out of the 47 European States who are members of the Council of Europe, 39 have ratified the Convention. On behalf of the Advisory Committee, I should like to take this opportunity to encourage those States who have not yet ratified the Framework Convention - and who are présent today - to consider ratifying this instrument as soon as possible. II. Provisions of the Framework Convention applicable The provisions of the Framework Convention which are applicable in cases of discrimination in access to employment of persons belonging to national minorities include the following : Article 15 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities stipulates that State Parties « shall create the conditions necessary for the effective participation of