The 57th Congress of FUEN, the umbrella organisation of the minorities in Europe, took place the very first time in Russia. From 16-20 May 2012 about 170 participants were the guests of the association of the Germans in Russia in Moscow.
One of the main topics was the general situation of the minorities/nationalities in Russia and in the states that were part of the Soviet Union in the past. In particular the significance of linguistic diversity in Russia was explored. A discussion took place on the negotiations between the Council of Europe and the Russian Federation about the ratification of the European Language Charter that already has been going on for three years. Additionally, FUEN started on the elaboration of its fourth fundamental right: namely the Right to Language. Based on discussions and lectures an ad-hoc working group was formed during the congress, which drafted a congress statement. This statement calls upon the government in Moscow to implement the existing laws in practice. Many of such laws have been enacted in the field of the protection and the promotion of nationalities, minorities and languages. It also calls upon the Russian government to ratify the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of the Council of Europe.

There are about 190 minorities and nationalities in Russia. More than 230 languages are being spoken.

Read more: https://www.fuen.org/de/kongresse/congress-2012/

Press review: http://www.rusdeutsch.eu/?z=7&id=4519&amenu1=2052