non-State entities that deliver public goods and services are informed about, and
compliant with, anti-discrimination legislation.87
Minorities should be represented among public service providers and involved in
decision-making about public goods and services. In some contexts, ensuring equal
access to public goods and services for minorities may be best achieved through
the management, or shared management with central authorities, of specific
public services by local, regional, or autonomous administrations corresponding to
minorities’ historical and territorial circumstances.88
16. States should establish education systems, including vocational
training, to ensure that everyone has equal access to acquire the skills
necessary to participate effectively in the economy. Relevant authorities
may consider taking positive action measures to support access to
education and training for persons belonging to national minorities and
to widen their economic participation, especially for national minority
youth and women.
The right to education for all without discrimination and the education rights of
persons belonging to national minorities are firmly established in international
human rights instruments and OSCE commitments.89 Furthermore, the right to
education can only be realized if education is of high quality.90 Education is crucial
to the realization of other human rights, a means for individuals to improve their
social and economic situation and an important tool for the integration of society.
For national minorities, quality education can be a powerful means of social and
economic empowerment and advancement.91
87
88
89
90
91
CESCR, General Comment 16, paragraph 20.
Lund Recommendations, paragraphs 19–20.
ICESCR, articles 2(2) and 13(1); UNESCO, Convention against Discrimination in Education; UDHR, article
26 (1); ICESCR, articles 13(1) and (2); CRC, article 28(1); FCNM, article 12, UN Declaration on Minorities,
article 4(4); ECHR, Convention, article 12; ECHR Protocol 1, article 2; Revised European Social Charter,
article 17; CEDAW, article 10; CRPD, article 24; International Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, article 30; and Vienna 1989, paragraph 63. For
practical implications, see also FCNM AC, Commentary No. 1 on Education (2006).
CoE, Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)13 on “ensuring quality education”.
For good practices in minority education from a universal perspective, see: UNESCO, “The right to
education of minorities: overview of States’ measures reported in the 10th Consultation on the 1960
Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education (Geneva 2023).
Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life
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