The course examines various instruments of universal and regional minority protection. The course will introduce to the relevant legal standards (ICCPR, ICERD, FCNM, ECRML). With a view to selected case studies, students will understand minority protection as an integral part of international human rights law. Particular attention will be paid to the jurisprudence of the ECtHR, the Human Rights Committee and the ACFC.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
The course examines various instruments of universal and regional minority protection. The course will introduce to the relevant legal standards (ICCPR, ICERD, FCNM, ECRML). With a view to selected case studies, students will understand minority protection as an integral part of international human rights law. Particular attention will be paid to the jurisprudence of the ECtHR, the Human Rights Committee and the ACFC.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
Requirements to the exam -
1. Attendance of at least 70% of the lectures.
2.Submission and presentation of a written paper.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
1. Attendance of at least 70% of the lectures.
2.Submission and presentation of a written paper.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
Syllabus -
The course covers primarily the following topics:
1. History of international minority protection.
2. Protection under the League of Nations. Relevant instruments and monitoring.
3. Article 27 ICCPR. Relevant HRC jurisprudence.
4. Relevant CERD jurisprudence (state reporting and individual communications).
5. The definition of the term national minority.
6. ECHR and ECtHR jurisprudence.
7. The Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities.
8. Examples from ACFC jurisprudence.
9. Linguistic rights under the FCNM (state practice and ACFC standards).
10. The protection of minorities and the fight against hate speech.
11. Minorities and EU law.
12. CJEU case law
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
The course covers primarily the following topics:
1. History of international minority protection.
2. Protection under the League of Nations. Relevant instruments and monitoring.
3. Article 27 ICCPR. Relevant HRC jurisprudence.
4. Relevant CERD jurisprudence (state reporting and individual communications).
5. The definition of the term national minority.
6. ECHR and ECtHR jurisprudence.
7. The Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities.
8. Examples from ACFC jurisprudence.
9. Linguistic rights under the FCNM (state practice and ACFC standards).
10. The protection of minorities and the fight against hate speech.
11. Minorities and EU law.
12. CJEU case law
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
Learning resources -
Basic literature:
1. HOFMANN, Rainer; MALLOY, Tove H. a REIN, Detlev B. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: a commentary. Leiden: Brill Nijhoff, 2018. ISBN 978-90-04-33965-1.
2. HENRARD, Kristin. Double standards pertaining to minority protection. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2010. ISBN 1-282-94881-4.
3. BARTEN, Ulrike. Minorities, Minority Rights and Internal Self-Determination. 2015. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014. ISBN 3319088750.
Other literature:
1. SCHEU, Harald Christian. Hate speech – an unclear legal concept in the unclear practice of European minority protection. In: Czech yearbook of public & private international law. Vol. 14. 2023, 224-240.
2. SCHEU, Harald Christian. The heritage of the League of Nations’ minority protection system. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies. 2022, roč. 61, č. 4, s. 356-371.
3. BUSSTRA, M J. The Implications of the Racial Equality Directive for Minority Protection. 2010. ISBN 9077596968.
4. MALLOY, Tove H.; CARUSO, Ugo a HOFMANN, Rainer. Minorities, their rights, and the monitoring of the European framework convention for the protection of national minorities: essays in honour of Rainer Hofmann. Leiden: Nijhoff, 2013. ISBN 978-90-04-21441-5.
5. ARP, Björn. International norms and standards for the protection of national minorities: bilateral and multilateral texts with commentary. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2008. ISBN 1-282-39824-5.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
Basic literature:
1. HOFMANN, Rainer; MALLOY, Tove H. a REIN, Detlev B. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: a commentary. Leiden: Brill Nijhoff, 2018. ISBN 978-90-04-33965-1.
2. HENRARD, Kristin. Double standards pertaining to minority protection. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2010. ISBN 1-282-94881-4.
3. BARTEN, Ulrike. Minorities, Minority Rights and Internal Self-Determination. 2015. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014. ISBN 3319088750.
Other literature:
1. SCHEU, Harald Christian. Hate speech – an unclear legal concept in the unclear practice of European minority protection. In: Czech yearbook of public & private international law. Vol. 14. 2023, 224-240.
2. SCHEU, Harald Christian. The heritage of the League of Nations’ minority protection system. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies. 2022, roč. 61, č. 4, s. 356-371.
3. BUSSTRA, M J. The Implications of the Racial Equality Directive for Minority Protection. 2010. ISBN 9077596968.
4. MALLOY, Tove H.; CARUSO, Ugo a HOFMANN, Rainer. Minorities, their rights, and the monitoring of the European framework convention for the protection of national minorities: essays in honour of Rainer Hofmann. Leiden: Nijhoff, 2013. ISBN 978-90-04-21441-5.
5. ARP, Björn. International norms and standards for the protection of national minorities: bilateral and multilateral texts with commentary. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2008. ISBN 1-282-39824-5.
