PROTECTION OF MINORITY RIGHTS – A PILLAR OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to contribute towards heightened awareness
about international and comparative systems for protection of minority
rights, as a necessary element of integration in a democratic society, and
towards avoidance of its shadow - a social fragmentisation. Sublimated
best practices are offered not as legal transplants, but as a resource for
possible solutions. The methodology encompasses legal analysis of hard
and soft law applicable to minority rights, comparative analyses of best
practices for integration of minorities from several states (Croatia,
Denmark, France, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovenia and the
- UK) as well as analyses of responses to questionnaires by state and nonstate
actors. The results are scrutinized via multi-disciplinary and human
rights approaches; with an emphasis on the civil society’s role as a crosscutting
issue. The results of the research show that the concept of a multiethnic
integrated society needs to be constantly clarified and promoted by
the Government institutions, which should underscore it as a strategic
priority among majority and minority communities in the Republic of
Macedonia; and that a cautious approach needs to be applied to avoid
social fragmentisation on ethnic and cultural bases. The results will be
disseminated and explained at the September International Conference of
the Law Faculty in Stip. Communication of the results includes use of
scientific repositories, press releases and use of social media.
