Patrick Thornberry Bücher

Focusing on the evolution and protection of various minority groups, this book examines how international law addresses the rights of ethnic, religious, racial, and cultural minorities. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars of international human rights law and those exploring issues of national discrimination, offering in-depth analysis and insights into the legal frameworks that safeguard minority rights globally.

This publication discusses the main standards and mechanisms created by the Council of Europe and other international organisations to protect the rights of minorities in Europe, including key legal instruments such as the European Convention on Human Rights, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, and the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. It reviews the monitoring activities in various Council of Europe member and non-member states, both prior to their accession and in their post-accession phase. The publication also includes a detailed examination of the case of the Roma/Gypsies, a specific minority without a 'kin state'.