Abstract
This article introduces the special issue dedicated to the Statute of autonomy of South Tyrol after 50 years and is a common project between the university of Bolzano, Trento and Innsbruck. It intends to examine the different legal and institutional factors that have contributed to the minority protection system in Trentino Alto Adige/South Tyrol, referring to the contribution of the EU, the Council of Europe and constitutional jurisprudence. To do so, it focuses on the main principles governing minority protection.