Definitions and Justifications: Minority and Indigenous Rights in a Central/East European Context

An examination of definitions & claims surrounding minority/indigenous rights in Central & Eastern Europe focuses on conceptual & practical problems that arise when a lack of definitions results in these groups being given different treatment under international law. Efforts to define "indigenous peoples" highlight implications of the "historical continuity" requirement, & suggest extension of the concept to Africa & Asia, a region largely overlooked in the definitional debates despite a long history of minority rights protection involving the preservation of distinctive group identities. It is argued that the minorities/indigenous peoples of Central/East Europe have similar goals of cultural preservation & equality, but their demands are conditioned by specific histories, cultures, & needs. Varied justifications put forth to claim group-differentiated rights are explored. It is contended that differences in the substantive content of rights guaranteed to minorities vs indigenous peoples often result from real differences between them; however, such boundary lines are indistinct in Central/Eastern Europe, indicating a need to focus on underlying justifications for group-differentiated rights rather than on labels. J. Lindroth