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Strathclyde academic appointed as Dutch Government’s representative on European minorities Council

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A Strathclyde academic has been appointed as the Netherland’s representative to a European body that advises on the protection of national minorities.

Dr Ingeborg Birnie, a senior lecturer in the School of Education, will sit on the Council of Europe's Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities for three-and-a-half years.

The Framework is Europe’s most comprehensive treaty protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.

It is the first legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of national minorities worldwide, and its implementation is monitored by the only international committee dedicated exclusively to minority rights: the Advisory Committee. It was adopted on 10 November 1994 by the Committee of Ministers and it entered into force on 1 February 1998. It is now in force in 38 states.

Highest platform

Dr Birnie, a Dutch citizen, said: “I am very excited to have been recognised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for my expertise in the area of minority languages and people and also for the trust placed in me by the Dutch government.

“It is very unusual to have a citizen who is not resident in the country representing the country at this supranational level – the highest platform for protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.

I am eager to learn from my experienced colleagues, and to contribute to international and national policy, and making and supporting linguistic and cultural diversity in the Council of Europe area.

The Committee is composed of 18 individuals with a significant experience, both in their own contexts as well as at an international level, with some members also serving on UN Councils relating to human rights, democracy and law and in particular with respect to Indigenous communities and minorities.

Earlier this year Dr Birnie was appointed rapporteur for the Ad Hoc Group (Provision of Education) by UNESCO ((United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)  to support the protection of indigenous languages.