ACFC/31DOC(2008)001 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 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 persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them”. The purpose of this Commentary is to set out the Advisory Committee’s interpretation of the provisions within the Framework Convention relating to the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities, drawing on the Advisory Committee’s countryspecific Opinions adopted between 1999 and 2007. The Commentary aims to provide a useful tool for State authorities and decision-makers, public officials, organisations of minorities, non-governmental organisations, academics and other stakeholders involved in minority protection. While the Commentary primarily focuses on participatory mechanisms at the domestic level, it is crucial that persons belonging to national minorities are also involved at all stages of the monitoring and implementation process of international instruments, and in particular the Framework Convention, in order to achieve a balanced and quality outcome. PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE Effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities encompasses their economic and social life as well as their engagement in the political and public sphere Effective participation requires States not only to remove the barriers preventing minorities’ equal access to economic sectors and social services, so as to establish equal opportunities, but also demands that States promote their participation in the delivery of benefits and outcomes. Reliable and easily accessible data is an essential precondition for developing effective measures to address socio-economic discrimination and encourage effective equality. Therefore, State Parties should regularly collect up-to-date data on the socio-economic and educational situation of persons belonging to national minorities in order to compare it with the situation of the majority population. The collection of such data should be made in accordance with international standards on personal data protection. Effective participation in socio-economic life requires the existence of comprehensive legislation prohibiting discrimination on ethnic grounds, by public and private actors. This legislation should extend to employment, housing, health care and social protection. It is also important that appropriate legal remedies are available in cases of discrimination, and that particular attention is paid to multiple discrimination against women belonging to national minorities. 4