FORUM ON MINORITY ISSUES II Second Session of the Forum on Minority Issues 12 – 13 November 2009 Eva Konecna Secretariat of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and of the DH-MIN Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to share with the Forum some experience of the Advisory Committee on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the field of minority political participation. As already mentioned this morning, effective participation is guaranteed under the Framework Convention. The state parties to the Framework Convention are required to create conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs. Effective participation should also be seen as a key for the full enjoyment of other minority rights, such as linguistic rights. The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention decided therefore to devote its second thematic commentary to minority effective participation. This commentary issued in 2008 drew on the Advisory Committee’s country-by-country monitoring. When analysing whether minority participation is effective, the Advisory Committee has considered the actual minority representation in various mechanisms and the level of influence of national minorities on the decision-making process. Whatever mechanism is chosen, whether there are electoral arrangements, consultative bodies or autonomies, persons belonging to national minorities should be given real opportunities to influence decision-making and the outcome should adequately reflect their needs. Particular attention should also be paid by the states to the participation of women from minority background in decision-making processes.