Abstract
Study commissioned by the Council of Europe Secretariat of the FCNM and presented at the Conference Enhancing the Impact of the Framework Convention, Council of Europe.
The aim of this study is to identify indicators that help assess the impact of the FCNM on the behaviour of governments and the political discourse involving protection of persons belonging to national minorities. This approach follows the task set by the Terms of Reference issued by the Council of Europe. Impact is understood in this study mainly in the positive sense of improvements in the legislative and political environment that furthers the implementation by governments of protection of persons belonging to national minorities. Negative impact visible in countries parties to the FCNM will also be included in so far that
it is possible to assess.