At the very beginning it is important to define the main components that constitute the whole theory and idea as such of the minority rights. The concept of minority expresses how the legal regulation reflects the existence of minority, what is understood by the notion ‘minority’ and what criteria are used in order to identify certain social groups as minorities. Regarding the definition of the concept ‘minority’, until now there is no generally accepted definition, neither at the international level nor at the European one. It appears to be a certain agreement on some particular elements of the definition, though they are not fully accepted and interpreted in the same way. There are several important reasons concerning this phenomenon. The first one is that states are in fear of consequences after the recognition of minorities which may lead to secessionist movements. This can put at stake the territorial integrity of the State. Though, some rather successful efforts in this field were made by different representatives in order to make clarifications regarding the definition of ‘minorities.
According to these factsthe Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), the UN Sub- Commission and some prominent authors attempted to define the concept ‘minority’. The Court stated that this concept has rather minoritarian character which makes it relevant in the meaning of ‘minority’. According to the court a ‘community’ is: a group of persons living in a given country or locality, having a race, religion, language and traditions of their own and united by this identity of race, religion, language and traditions in a sentiment of solidarity, with a view to preserving their traditions maintaining their form of worship, insuring the instruction and upbringing of their children in accordance with the spirit and traditions of their race and rendering mutual assistance to each other. Apart from the definition given by the Court, this guideline shows the requirement of numerical condition which means the group that is in minority in comparison with the prevailing part.
1. RECOMMENDATION 1201 (1993). On an additional protocol on the rights of national minorities to the European Convention on Human Rights [On the additional protocol on the rights of national minorities to the European Convention on Human Rights]: http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/TA93/EREC1201.HTM [In Ukrainian].
2. R. Lefeber and M. Zieck (1993). Peoples and Minorities in International Law, Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff. Р. 33 [In English].
3. T. R. Gurr ( 2003). Minorities at risk. A global view of ethnopolitical conflicts. Washington, US Institute of Peace [Minorities under threat. A global perspective on ethno-political conflicts. Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace]. Р. 45 [In English].
4. C. Butler (2008). Human Rights Ethics. A rational approach [Ethics of human rights. A rational approach] Purdue University Press. West Lafayette, Indiana. Р. 56–57 [In English].
5. S. Joseph, J. Schultz, M. Castan (2005). The international Convention on civil and political rights, cases, materials and commentary [International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, cases, materials and commentaries]. Oxford: Clarendon press. Р. 572–595 [In English].
6. A. Michalska (2021). Rights of peoples and human rights in international law. in G. B. Kutukdjian & A. Papisca ‘Rights of peoples’. Padova, Cedam,. Р. 52–53 [In English].
7. N. Glazer (2005). Individual rights against group rights, in Kymlichka. Р. 125-126, 133-134 [In English].
8. Ch. Kukathas (2005). Are there any cultural rights, in Kymlichka. Oxford University Press. Р. 228–255 [In English].
9. M. Galenkamp (2018). Individualism versus collectivism-the concept of collective rights. Gouda Quint. Р. 214–216 [In English].