Zakon o ratifikaciji Okvirne konvencije za varstvo narodnih manjšin (MKUNM)

Ratificira se Okvirna konvencija za varstvo narodnih manjšin, ki je bila podpisana 1. februarja 1995 v Strasbourgu.

Besedilo konvencije se v angleškem in slovenskem jeziku glasi: The member States of the Council of Europe and the other States, signatories to the present framework Convention, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage; Considering that one of the methods by which that aim is to be pursued is the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; Wishing to follow-up the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe adopted in Vienna on 9 October 1993; Being resolved to protect within their respective territories the existence of national minorities; Considering that the upheavals of European history have shown that the protection of national minorities is essential to stability, democratic security and peace in this continent; Considering that a pluralist and genuinely democratic society should not only respect the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of each person belonging to a national minority, but also create appropriate conditions enabling them to express, preserve and develop this identity; Considering that the creation of a climate of tolerance and dialogue is necessary to enable cultural diversity to be a source and a factor, not of division, but of enrichment for each society; Considering that the realisation of a tolerant and prosperous Europe does not depend solely on co-operation between States but also requires transfrontier co-operation between local and regional authorities without prejudice to the constitution and territorial integrity of each State; Having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Protocols thereto; Having regard to the commitments concerning the protection of national minorities in United Nations conventions and declarations and in the documents of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, particularly the Copenhagen Document of 29 June 1990; Being resolved to define the principles to be respected and the obligations which flow from them, in order to ensure, in the member States and such other States as may become Parties to the present instrument, the effective protection of national minorities and of the rights and freedoms of persons belonging to those minorities, within the rule of law, respecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of states; Being determined to implement the principles set out in this framework Convention through national legislation and appropriate governmental policies, Have agreed as follows: The protection of national minorities and of the rights and freedoms of persons belonging to those minorities forms an integral part of the international protection of human rights, and as such falls within the scope of international co-operation. The provisions of this framework Convention shall be applied in good faith, in a spirit of understanding and tolerance and in conformity with the principles of good neighbourliness, friendly relations and co-operation between States. 1. Every person belonging to a national minority shall have the right freely to choose to be treated or not to be treated as such and no disadvantage shall result from this choice or from the exercise of the rights which are connected to that choice. 2. Persons belonging to national minorities may exercise the rights and enjoy the freedoms flowing from the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention individually as well as in community with others. 1. The Parties undertake to guarantee to persons belonging to national minorities the right of equality before the law and of equal protection of the law. In this respect, any discrimination based on belonging to a national minority shall be prohibited. 2. The Parties undertake to adopt, where necessary, adequate measures in order to promote, in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life, full and effective equality between persons belonging to a national minority and those belonging to the majority. In this respect, they shall take due account of the specific conditions of the persons belonging to national minorities. 3. The measures adopted in accordance with paragraph 2 shall not be considered to be an act of discrimination. 1. The Parties undertake to promote the conditions necessary for persons belonging to national minorities to maintain and develop their culture, and to preserve the essential elements of their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions and cultural heritage. 2. Without prejudice to measures taken in pursuance of their general integration policy, the Parties shall refrain from policies or practices aimed at assimilation of persons belonging to national minorities against their will and shall protect these persons from any action aimed at such assimilation. 1. The Parties shall encourage a spirit of tolerance and intercultural dialogue and take effective measures to promote mutual respect and understanding and co-operation among all persons living on their territory, irrespective of those persons’ ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity, in particular in the fields of education, culture and the media. 2. The Parties undertake to take appropriate measures to protect persons who may be subject to threats or acts of discrimination, hostility or violence as a result of their ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity. The Parties shall ensure respect for the right of every person belonging to a national minority to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to manifest his or her religion or belief and to establish religious institutions, organisations and associations. 1. The Parties undertake to recognise that the right to freedom of expression of every person belonging to a national minority includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas in the minority language, without interference by public authorities and regardless of frontiers. The Parties shall ensure, within the framework of their legal systems, that persons belonging to a national minority are not discriminated against in their access to the media. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not prevent Parties from requiring the licensing, without discrimination and based on objective criteria, of sound radio and television broadcasting, or cinema enterprises. 3. The Parties shall not hinder the creation and the use of printed media by persons belonging to national minorities. In the legal framework of sound radio and television broadcasting, they shall ensure, as far as possible, and taking into account the provisions of paragraph 1, that persons belonging to national minorities are granted the possibility of creating and using their own media. 4. In the framework of their legal systems, the Parties shall adopt adequate measures in order to facilitate access to the media for persons belonging to national minorities and in order to promote tolerance and permit cultural pluralism. 1. The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to use freely and without interference his or her minority language, in private and in public, orally and in writing. 2. In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if those persons so request and where such a request corresponds to a real need, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible, the conditions which would make it possible to use the minority language in relations between those persons and the administrative authorities. 3. The Parties undertake to guarantee the right of every person belonging to a national minority to be informed promptly, in a language which he or she understands, of the reasons for his or her arrest, and of the nature and cause of any accusation against him or her, and to defend himself or herself in this language, if necessary with the free assistance of an interpreter. 1. The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to use his or her surname (patronym) and first names in the minority language and the right to official recognition of them, according to modalities provided for in their legal system. 2. The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to display in his or her minority language signs, inscriptions and other information of a private nature visible to the public. 3. In areas traditionally inhabited by substantial numbers of persons belonging to a national minority, the Parties shall endeavour, in the framework of their legal system, including, where appropriate, agreements with other States, and taking into account their specific conditions, to display traditional local names, street names and other topographical indications intended for the public also in the minority language when there is a sufficient demand for such indications. 1. The Parties shall, where appropriate, take measures in the fields of education and research to foster knowledge of the culture, history, language and religion of their national minorities and of the majority. 2. In this context the Parties shall inter alia provide adequate opportunities for teacher training and access to textbooks, and facilitate contacts among students and teachers of different communities. 3. The Parties undertake to promote equal opportunities for access to education at all levels for persons belonging to national minorities. 1. Within the framework of their education systems, the Parties shall recognise that persons belonging to a national minority have the right to set up and to manage their own private educational and training establishments. 2. The exercise of this right shall not entail any financial obligation for the Parties. 1. The Parties undertake to recognise that every person belonging to a national minority has the right to learn his or her minority language. 2. In areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities traditionally or in substantial numbers, if there is sufficient demand, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure, as far as possible and within the framework of their education systems, that persons belonging to those minorities have adequate opportunities for being taught the minority language or for receiving instruction in this language. 3. Paragraph 2 of this article shall be implemented without prejudice to the learning of the official language or the teaching in this language. The Parties shall create the conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them. The Parties shall refrain from measures which alter the proportions of the population in areas inhabited by persons belonging to national minorities and are aimed at restricting the rights and freedoms flowing from the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention. 1. The Parties undertake not to interfere with the right of persons belonging to national minorities to establish and maintain free and peaceful contacts across frontiers with persons lawfully staying in other States, in particular those with whom they share an ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity, or a common cultural heritage. 2. The Parties undertake not to interfere with the right of persons belonging to national minorities to participate in the activities of non-governmental organisations, both at the national and international levels. 1. The Parties shall endeavour to conclude, where necessary, bilateral and multilateral agreements with other States, in particular neighbouring States, in order to ensure the protection of persons belonging to the national minorities concerned. 2. Where relevant, the Parties shall take measures to encourage transfrontier co-operation. The Parties undertake to respect and implement the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention making, where necessary, only those limitations, restrictions or derogations which are provided for in international legal instruments, in particular the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, in so far as they are relevant to the rights and freedoms flowing from the said principles. In the exercise of the rights and freedoms flowing from the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention, any person belonging to a national minority shall respect the national legislation and the rights of others, in particular those of persons belonging to the majority or to other national minorities. Nothing in the present framework Convention shall be interpreted as implying any right to engage in any activity or perform any act contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and in particular of the sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of States. Nothing in the present framework Convention shall be construed as limiting or derogating from any of the human rights and fundamental freedoms which may be ensured under the laws of any Contracting Party or under any other agreement to which it is a Party. The rights and freedoms flowing from the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention, in so far as they are the subject of a corresponding provision in the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms or in the Protocols thereto, shall be understood so as to conform to the latter provisions. 1. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe shall monitor the implementation of this framework Convention by the Contracting Parties. 2. The Parties which are not members of the Council of Europe shall participate in the implementation mechanism, according to modalities to be determined. 1. Within a period of one year following the entry into force of this framework Convention in respect of a Contracting Party, the latter shall transmit to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe full information on the legislative and other measures taken to give effect to the principles set out in this framework Convention. 2. Thereafter, each Party shall transmit to the Secretary General on a periodical basis and whenever the Committee of Ministers so requests any further information of relevance to the implementation of this framework Convention. 3. The Secretary General shall forward to the Committee of Ministers the information transmitted under the terms of this Article. 1. In evaluating the adequacy of the measures taken by the Parties to give effect to the principles set out in this framework Convention the Committee of Ministers shall be assisted by an advisory committee, the members of which shall have recognised expertise in the field of the protection of national minorities. 2. The composition of this advisory committee and its procedure shall be determined by the Committee of Ministers within a period of one year following the entry into force of this framework Convention. This framework Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. Up until the date when the Convention enters into force, it shall also be open for signature by any other State so invited by the Committee of Ministers. It is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 1. This framework Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which twelve member States of the Council of Europe have expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 27. 2. In respect of any member State which subsequently expresses its consent to be bound by it, the framework Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. 1. After the entry into force of this framework Convention and after consulting the Contracting States, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite to accede to the Convention, by a decision taken by the majority provided for in Article 20.d of the Statute of the Council of Europe, any non-member State of the Council of Europe which, invited to sign in accordance with the provisions of Article 27, has not yet done so, and any other non-member State. 2. In respect of any acceding State, the framework Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 1. Any State may at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories for whose international relations it is responsible to which this framework Convention shall apply. 2. Any State may at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend the application of this framework Convention to any other territory specified in the declaration. In respect of such territory the framework Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of such declaration by the Secretary General. 3. Any declaration made under the two preceding paragraphs may, in respect of any territory specified in such declaration, be withdrawn by a notification addressed to the Secretary General. The withdrawal shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary General. 1. Any Party may at any time denounce this framework Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2. Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary General. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council, other signatory States and any State which has acceded to this framework Convention, of: a. any signature; b. the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; c. any date of entry into force of this framework Convention in accordance with Articles 28, 29 and 30; d. any other act, notification or communication relating to this framework Convention. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this framework Convention. Done at Strasbourg, this 1st day of February 1995, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each member State of the Council of Europe and to any State invited to sign or accede to this framework Convention. Države članice Sveta Evrope in druge države, podpisnice te okvirne konvencije, so se glede na to, da je cilj Sveta Evrope doseči večjo enotnost med svojimi članicami z namenom ohranjati in uresničevati ideale in načela, ki so njihova skupna dediščina, glede na to, da je eden od načinov, s katerimi si prizadevajo za dosego tega cilja, ohranjanje in nadaljnje uresničevanje človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin, v želji, da bi sledile Deklaraciji voditeljev držav in vlad držav članic Sveta Evrope, sprejeti 9. oktobra 1993 na Dunaju, odločene, da na svojih ozemljih varujejo obstoj narodnih manjšin, glede na to, da so prevrati v evropski zgodovini pokazali, da je varstvo narodnih manjšin bistvenega pomena za stabilnost, demokratično varnost in mir na tej celini, glede na to, da bi morala pluralistična in resnično demokratična družba ne le spoštovati etnično, kulturno, jezikovno in versko identiteto vsakega pripadnika narodne manjšine, ampak tudi ustvariti primerne razmere, ki pripadnikom narodnih manjšin omogočajo, da izražajo, ohranjajo in razvijajo to identiteto, glede na to, da je ustvarjanje ozračja strpnosti in dialoga potrebno za to, da kulturna raznolikost ni vir in dejavnik razdvajanja, ampak bogatenja vsake družbe, glede na to, da uresničevanje strpnosti in napredka v Evropi ni odvisno le od sodelovanja med državami, ampak je za to potrebno tudi čezmejno sodelovanje med lokalnimi in regionalnimi oblastmi, kar pa ne vpliva na ustavno ureditev in ozemeljsko celovitost vsake države, ob upoštevanju Konvencije o varstu človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin in njenih protokolov, ob upoštevanju prevzetih obveznosti glede varstva narodnih manjšin v konvencijah in deklaracijah Združenih narodov in v dokumentih Konference o varnosti in sodelovanju v Evropi, še zlasti kopenhagenskem dokumentu z dne 29. junija 1990, odločene, da opredelijo načela, ki jih je treba spoštovati, in obveznosti, ki izhajajo iz njih, da bi v državah članicah in drugih državah, ki bi postale pogodbenice tega instrumenta, znotraj vladavine prava zagotovile učinkovito varstvo narodnih manjšin ter pravic in svoboščin njihovih pripadnikov ob spoštovanju ozemeljske celovitosti in suverenosti držav, odločene, da uresničujejo načela, določena v tej okvirni konvenciji, s pomočjo notranje zakonodaje in ustrezne vladne politike, dogovorile, kot sledi:

Varstvo narodnih manjšin ter pravic in svoboščin pripadnikov teh manjšin je sestavni del mednarodnega varstva človekovih pravic in kot tako spada v okvir mednarodnega sodelovanja.

Določbe te okvirne konvencije se uporabljajo v dobri veri, v duhu razumevanja in strpnosti ter v skladu z načeli dobrega sosedstva, prijateljskih odnosov in sodelovanja med državami.

1. Vsak pripadnik narodne manjšine ima pravico do proste izbire, da je ali ni obravnavan kot pripadnik narodne manjšine, in iz te njegove izbire ali uresničevanja pravic, ki so z njo povezane, ne izhajajo nobene neugodne posledice. 2. Pripadniki narodnih manjšin lahko posamično kakor tudi v skupnosti z drugimi uresničujejo pravice in uživajo svoboščine, ki izvirajo iz načel te okvirne konvencije.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo zagotoviti pripadnikom narodnih manjšin pravico do enakosti pred zakonom in enakega pravnega varstva. V tem pogledu je prepovedana vsaka diskriminacija, ki temelji na pripadnosti narodni manjšini. 2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo sprejeti, če je to potrebno, na vseh področjih gospodarskega, družbenega, političnega in kulturnega življenja ustrezne ukrepe za pospeševanje polne in učinkovite enakosti med pripadniki narodne manjšine in pripadniki večinskega naroda. V tem pogledu morajo dovolj upoštevati posebne razmere pripadnikov narodnih manjšin. 3. Ukrepi, sprejeti v skladu z drugim odstavkom, se ne štejejo za dejanje diskriminacije.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo spodbujati take razmere, ki so potrebne, da pripadniki narodnih manjšin ohranjajo in razvijajo svojo kulturo ter ohranjajo bistvene sestavine svoje identitete, in sicer svojo vero, jezik, tradicijo in kulturno dediščino. 2. Brez poseganja v ukrepe splošne politike povezovanja so se pogodbenice dolžne vzdržati politike in prakse, katerih namen je asimilacija pripadnikov narodnih manjšin proti njihovi volji, in morajo zaščititi te osebe pred kakršnimi koli dejanji, katerih namen je taka asimilacija.

1. Pogodbenice spodbujajo duh strpnosti in medkulturnega dialoga in sprejemajo učinkovite ukrepe za pospeševanje medsebojnega spoštovanja in razumevanja ter sodelovanja med vsemi osebami, ki živijo na njihovem ozemlju, ne glede na njihovo etnično, kulturno, jezikovno ali versko identiteto, še zlasti v izobraževanju, kulturi in javnih občilih. 2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo sprejeti ustrezne ukrepe za varstvo oseb, ki so lahko ogrožene zaradi diskriminacije ali pa so izpostavljene dejanjem diskriminacije, sovraštvu ali nasilju, do katerih prihaja zaradi njihove etnične, kulturne, jezikovne ali verske identitete.

Pogodbenice zagotavljajo spoštovanje pravice vsakega pripadnika narodne manjšine do svobode mirnega zborovanja, svobode združevanja, svobode izražanja ter svobode mišljenja, vesti in veroizpovedi.

Pogodbenice se obvezujejo priznavati vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico do izražanja njegove vere ali prepričanja in do ustanavljanja verskih ustanov, organizacij in združenj.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo priznati, da pravica vsakega pripadnika narodne manjšine do svobode izražanja vključuje svobodo mnenja, sprejemanja in dajanja informacij ter idej v jeziku manjšine brez vmešavanja javnih organov in ne glede na meje. Pogodbenice v okviru svojih pravnih sistemov zagotavljajo, da pripadniki narodnih manjšin pri svojem dostopu do javnih občil niso zapostavljeni. 2. Prvi odstavek ne preprečuje pogodbenicam, da ne bi brez diskriminacije in na podlagi objektivnih meril zahtevale dovoljenja za radijsko in televizijsko oddajanje ali za filmsko dejavnost. 3. Pogodbenice ne smejo ovirati pripadnikov narodnih manjšin pri ustanavljanju in uporabi tiskanih občil. V pravni ureditvi radijskega in televizijskega oddajanja v kar največjem obsegu in ob upoštevanju določb prvega odstavka zagotavljajo, da se pripadnikom narodnih manjšin da možnost, da ustanavljajo in uporabljajo svoja lastna občila. 4. V okviru svojih pravnih sistemov sprejmejo pogodbenice ustrezne ukrepe, z namenom da pripadnikom narodnih manjšin olajšajo dostop do javnih občil in pospešujejo strpnost in omogočajo kulturni pluralizem.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo priznavati vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico, da svobodno in brez vmešavanja uporablja svoj jezik manjšine, in to zasebno in v javnosti ter ustno in pisno. 2. Če na območjih, na katerih že tradicionalno ali v znatnem številu prebivajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin, ti tako zahtevajo in njihova zahteva ustreza dejanskim potrebam, si pogodbenice prizadevajo v kar največji možni meri zagotoviti take razmere, ki bi omogočale uporabo jezika manjšine v odnosih med pripadniki manjšine in upravnimi organi. 3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo zagotoviti vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico biti takoj obveščen v jeziku, ki ga razume, o razlogih za odvzem prostosti ter o naravi in vzroku za kakršne koli obtožbe proti njemu kakor tudi pravico, da se brani v tem jeziku, če je potrebno z brezplačno pomočjo tolmača.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo priznavati vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico, da uporablja svoj priimek (patronim) in imena v jeziku manjšine, ter pravico do uradnega priznanja teh imen v skladu z načini, določenimi v pravnem sistemu pogodbenic. 2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo priznavati vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico, da v jeziku svoje manjšine namešča znake, napise in druge informacije zasebne narave, namenjene očem javnosti. 3. Na območjih, kjer v znatnem številu prebivajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin, si pogodbenice prizadevajo, da v okviru svojega pravnega sistema in po potrebi vključno s sporazumi z drugimi državami ter ob upoštevanju svojih posebnih pogojev poskrbijo za napise tradicionalnih krajevnih imen, imen ulic in drugih topografskih znakov, namenjenih javnosti, tudi v jeziku manjšin, kadar je za take oznake dovolj zahtev.

1. Pogodbenice sprejmejo, kadar je to primerno, ukrepe na področju izobraževanja in raziskav, da s tem spodbujajo poznavanje kulture, zgodovine, jezika in vere svojih narodnih manjšin in večinskega naroda. 2. V zvezi s tem pogodbenice med drugim zagotavljajo ustrezne možnosti za usposabljanje učiteljev in dostop do učbenikov ter olajšujejo stike med učenci, študenti in učitelji različnih skupnosti. 3. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo za pripadnike narodnih manjšin pospeševati enake možnosti za dostop do izobraževanja na vseh ravneh.

1. V okviru svojih izobraževalnih sistemov pogodbenice priznavajo, da imajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin pravico do ustanavljanja in vodenja lastnih zasebnih ustanov za izobraževanje in usposabljanje. 2. Uresničevanje te pravice nima za posledico nobenih finančnih obveznosti za pogodbenice.

1. Pogodbenice se zavezujejo priznavati vsakemu pripadniku narodne manjšine pravico, da se uči jezika svoje manjšine. 2. Na območjih, na katerih že tradicionalno ali v znatnem številu prebivajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin, in če je za to dovolj zahtev, si pogodbenice prizadevajo, da v okviru svojih izobraževalnih sistemov v kar največji možni meri zagotovijo, da imajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin enake možnosti za učenje jezika manjšine ali za izobraževanje v tem jeziku. 3. Izvajanje drugega odstavka tega člena ne vpliva na učenje uradnega jezika ali poučevanje v uradnem jeziku.

Pogodbenice ustvarijo razmere, potrebne za učinkovito sodelovanje pripadnikov narodnih manjšin v kulturnem, družbenem in gospodarskem življenju ter v javnih zadevah, še zlasti pri tistih, ki jih neposredno zadevajo.

Pogodbenice se vzdržijo ukrepov, ki spreminjajo razmerje prebivalstva na območjih, na katerih prebivajo pripadniki narodnih manjšin, in so namenjeni omejevanju pravic in svoboščin, ki izvirajo iz načel te okvirne konvencije.

1. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da ne bodo posegale v pravico pripadnikov narodnih manjšin, da navezujejo in vzdržujejo proste in miroljubne čezmejne stike z osebami, ki zakonito bivajo v drugih državah, še zlasti s tistimi, s katerimi imajo skupno etnično, kulturno, jezikovno ali versko identiteto ali kulturno dediščino. 2. Pogodbenice se obvezujejo, da ne bodo posegale v pravico pripadnikov narodnih manjšin, da sodelujejo v dejavnostih nevladnih organizacij tako na državni kot na mednarodni ravni.

1. Pogodbenice si prizadevajo po potrebi sklepati dvostranske in mnogostranske sporazume z drugimi, zlasti s sosednjimi državami, z namenom da zagotovijo varstvo pripadnikov zadevnih narodnih manjšin. 2. Pogodbenice sprejmejo ukrepe za spodbujanje čezmejnega sodelovanja, kadar je to ustrezno.

Pogodbenice se obvezujejo spoštovati in uresničevati načela te okvirne konvencije, pri čemer bodo po potrebi uveljavljale le take omejitve, prepovedi ali ukinitve, ki so predvidene v mednarodnopravnih instrumentih, še zlasti v Konvenciji o varstvu človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin, kolikor so te pomembne za pravice in svoboščine, ki izvirajo iz teh načel.

Pri uresničevanju pravic in svoboščin, ki izvirajo iz načel te okvirne konvencije, vsak pripadnik narodne manjšine spoštuje zakonodajo države ter pravice drugih, še zlasti pravice pripadnikov večinskega naroda in pripadnikov drugih narodnih manjšin.

Nič v tej okvirni konvenciji se ne razlaga tako, kot da vključuje kakršno koli pravico, da sodeluje pri kakršni koli dejavnosti ali stori kakršno koli dejanje, ki je v nasprotju s temeljnimi načeli mednarodnega prava in zlasti suverene enakosti, ozemeljske celovitosti ter politične neodvisnosti držav.

Nič v tej okvirni konvenciji se ne razlaga, kot da omejuje ali krati človekove pravice in temeljne svoboščine, ki se lahko zagotovijo po zakonih katere koli pogodbenice ali po katerem koli sporazumu, ki to pogodbenico zavezuje.

Pravice in svoboščine, ki izvirajo iz načel te okvirne konvencije, kolikor so predmet ustrezne določbe Konvencije o varstvu človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin ali njenih protokolov, je treba razumeti, da so z njimi skladne.

1. Odbor ministrov Sveta Evrope spremlja, kako pogodbenice uresničujejo to okvirno konvencijo. 2. Pogodbenice, ki niso članice Sveta Evrope, sodelujejo pri mehanizmu za izvajanje konvencije v skladu s pogoji, ki jih je treba še določiti.

1. V enem letu po začetku veljavnosti te okvirne konvencije za posamezno pogodbenico mora ta poslati generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope polno informacijo o zakonodajnih in drugih ukrepih, ki jih je sprejela za uveljavitev načel iz te okvirne konvencije. 2. Nato vsaka pogodbenica občasno, in kadar to zahteva Odbor ministrov, sporoči generalnemu sekretarju katero koli dodatno informacijo, ki je pomembna za uresničevanje te okvirne konvencije. 3. Generalni sekretar pošlje Odboru ministrov informacije, ki jih je prejel v skladu z določbami tega člena.

1. Pri presojanju primernosti ukrepov, ki jih je pogodbenica sprejela za uresničevanje načel te okvirne konvencije, pomaga Odboru ministrov svetovalni odbor, katerega člani morajo imeti priznano strokovno znanje s področja varstva narodnih manjšin. 2. Odbor ministrov določi sestavo svetovalnega odbora in njegov poslovnik v enem letu po začetku veljavnosti te okvirne konvencije.

Ta okvirna konvencija je na voljo za podpis državam članicam Sveta Evrope. Do datuma, ko začne konvencija veljati, je na voljo za podpis tudi vsaki drugi državi, ki jo k temu povabi Odbor ministrov. Konvencijo je treba ratificirati, sprejeti ali odobriti. Listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi se hranijo pri generalnem sekretarju Sveta Evrope.

1. Ta okvirna konvencija začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu, ko je dvanajst držav članic Sveta Evrope privolilo, da jih ta konvencija zavezuje v skladu z določbami 27. člena. 2. Za državo članico, ki naknadno izrazi soglasje, da jo ta okvirna konvencija zavezuje, le-ta začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu deponiranja listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi.

1. Po začetku veljavnosti te okvirne konvencije in po posvetovanju z državami pogodbenicami lahko Odbor ministrov Sveta Evrope povabi vsako državo nečlanico Sveta Evrope, ki je bila povabljena k podpisu konvencije v skladu z določbami 27. člena, pa tega še ni storila, kot tudi katero koli drugo državo nečlanico, da pristopi h konvenciji, in sicer s sklepom, ki ga sprejme večina, kot je določeno v 20.d členu Statuta Sveta Evrope. 2. Za vsako državo, ki pristopi k okvirni konvenciji, začne ta veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu deponiranja listine o pristopu pri generalnem sekretarju Sveta Evrope.

1. Vsaka država lahko ob podpisu ali deponiranju svoje listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi določi ozemlje ali ozemlja, za katerih mednarodne odnose je odgovorna in za katera bo veljala ta okvirna konvencija. 2. Vsaka država lahko kadar koli pozneje z izjavo, naslovljeno na generalnega sekretarja Sveta Evrope, razširi uporabo te okvirne konvencije na katero koli drugo ozemlje, določeno v tej izjavi. Za tako ozemlje začne ta okvirna konvencija veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu, ko je generalni sekretar prejel tako izjavo. 3. Vsaka izjava iz prejšnjih dveh odstavkov, ki se nanaša na ozemlja, omenjena v tej izjavi, se lahko prekliče z notifikacijo, naslovljeno na generalnega sekretarja. Preklic začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku trimesečnega obdobja po datumu, ko je generalni sekretar prejel tako notifikacijo.

1. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko kadar koli odpove to okvirno konvencijo z notifikacijo, naslovljeno na generalnega sekretarja Sveta Evrope. 2. Taka odpoved začne veljati prvi dan meseca, ki sledi izteku šestmesečnega obdobja po datumu, ko je generalni sekretar prejel to notifikacijo.

Generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope obvesti države članice Sveta, druge države podpisnice in vsako državo, ki je pristopila k tej okvirni konvenciji, o: a) vsakem podpisu, b) deponiranju vsake listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, c) vsakem datumu začetka veljavnosti te okvirne konvencije v skladu z 28., 29. in 30. členom, d) vsakem drugem dejanju, notifikaciji ali sporočilu v zvezi s to okvirno konvencijo. V dokaz tega so podpisani, ki so bili za to pravilno pooblaščeni, podpisali to okvirno konvencijo. Sestavljeno v Strasbourgu 1. februarja 1995 v angleščini in francoščini, pri čemer sta obe besedili enako verodostojni, v enem samem izvodu, ki se hrani v arhivu Sveta Evrope. Generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope pošlje overjeno kopijo vsaki državi članici Sveta Evrope in vsaki državi, ki je bila povabljena, da podpiše to okvirno konvencijo ali k njej pristopi.

Za izvajanje te konvencije skrbi Urad za narodnosti pri Vladi Republike Slovenije v sodelovanju z Ministrstvom za zunanje zadeve.

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe. Št. 009-01/97-7/1 Ljubljana, dne 25. februarja 1998 Predsednik Državnega zbora Republike Slovenije Janez Podobnik, dr. med. l. r.