WRITTEN QUESTION E-1621/97 by Eva Kjer Hansen (ELDR) to the Council (14 May 1997)

Subject: Minority rights

Is it reasonable that the Union requires more from the future Member States from Eastern Europe, when it comes to the protection of minority rights, when the Union has made no legislative effort in that field for the minority groups within the Union?

Does the Council plan any legislative measures for the protection of minority groups in the Union?

Answer (17 October 1997)

The specific question to which the Honourable Member refers does not fall within Community competence.

However, the Council recalls that Article F(2) of the Treaty on European Union states that the Union shall respect fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed in Rome on 4 November 1950 and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as general principles of Community law.

Furthermore, attention is drawn to the Resolution of the Council and the Ministers of Education, meeting within the Council, of 22 May 1989 on school provision for gypsy and travellers children ((OJ C 153, 21.6.1989, p.3. )), to the Joint Action of

15 July 1996 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia ((OJ L 185, 24.7.1996, p.5. )) and to the Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 establishing a European monitoring centre on racism and xenphobia ((OJ L 151, 10.6.1997, p.1. )).