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The FCNM was received fairly well among the member states. Within the first two years after adoption 33 countries had signed the instrument. In the next two years another three countries signed, and since 1999 seven countries have signed. Some countries have decided not to sign. Among experts the reception of the FCNM was slightly different. Critics pointed out that an international instrument without a petition process and a strong power to sanction states would not have effect on the protection of beneficiaries. The ultimate power of the FCNM rests in the CM which issues country-specific resolutions on the basis of a monitoring process trusted to a group of experts, the Advisory Committee and a preliminary drafting trusted to one of the subsidiary groups of the CM, the Rapporteur Group on Human Rights (GR-H). The FCNM has developed a near consensus approach to the protection of persons belonging to national minorities. This consensus became pronounced also through the monitoring process and the CM was able to adopt resolutions within a reasonable length of time from the start of the monitoring. However, the second decade of the FCNM appears to show a different reality. There seems to be an increasing activity at the political level during the process of drafting the CM resolutions. This has slowed the monitoring process and given rise to concern that the FCNM is not enjoying the initial support that it did. The political process is the focus of this paper. This paper seeks to investigate the process in the GR-H, as well as examining which countries are experiencing a slower process and the issues raised.

This book is the result of a comprehensive and pioneering research project, and offers innovative insights into the life of the Meskhetian Turks - an ethnic group collectively deported from Georgia by Stalin during World War II. The volume examines their integration in the countries where they now live, their understanding of home and belonging and their desire to return to Georgia. Apart from thoroughly documenting the current life of Meskhetian Turks, the research also identifies new approaches in finding solutions to the issue of Meskhetian Turk displacement. (LIT Verlag)

Der Beitrag beschreibt die demographische bzw. soziopolitische Situation der ethnischen Minderheit der Meskhet-Türken. In das Thema einführend, wird zunächst die Bevölkerungsgruppe der meskhetianischen Türken vorgestellt und ihre Migrationsgeschichte der gewaltsamen Vertreibung in Südosteuropa und Zentralasien skizziert. Der zweite Schritt betrachtet die gegenwärtigen Lebensbedingungen dieser ethnischen Gruppe in Georgien, Aserbaidschan, der Ukraine, Russland, Usbekistan, Kasachstan, Kirgisien und der Türkei. Der dritte Schritt stellt die bestehenden Organisationen der Meskhet-Türken vor und nennt die Bestrebungen und Argumente hinsichtlich der Wahrung ihrer Identität. Der vierte Schritt erörtert die Anliegen der Meskhet-Türken im Rahmen der internationalen Politik (Treffen in Den Haag und Wien 1998/1999), wobei hier insbesondere die Forderungen nach Repatriierung behandelt werden. Der fünfte Schritt informiert über den aktuellen Forschungsstand zu der ethnischen Minderheit. Die Ausführungen schließen mit einer Erläuterung des Diskurses bezüglich der Wiedergutmachung bzw. Entschädigung erfahrenen Leids durch die gewaltsame Migration mitsamt der hier zu beobachtenden Defizite. Ferner werden im Hinblick auf ein bevorstehendes Forschungsprojekt zu den Meskhat-Türken für den Zeitraum 2004 bis 2006 neue Forschungsansätze identifiziert. (ICG2)