High Commissioner on National Minorities

The post of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was established in 1992 to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between OSCE participating States.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities issues statement on Slovakia's language law

THE HAGUE, 4 January 2010 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, issued the following statement today: "The Government of Slovakia has adopted the Principles for the Implementation of the amended State Language Act..."

OSCE works with authorities in Skopje to reverse segregation in education

Activities in schools by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje are helping to fight segregation and improve inter-ethnic communication.

OSCE High Commissioner brings police and minorities together in Crimea

Defusing tensions between the Crimean Tatars, who have recently returned to their homeland in Ukraine after decades in exile, and the police, is the goal of efforts by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, speaks at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. (OSCE/Susanna Lööf)

VIDEO: Address by the High Commissioner on National Minorities

DOCUMENT: Statement by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to the Permanent Council, Vienna, 29 October 2009

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Statement by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to the 2nd session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues: Effective Political Participation of Minorities

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Geneva, 12 November 2009

Statement by Knut Vollebaek, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, on Roma Migration and Freedom of Movement

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Conference convened by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Vienna, 9 November 2009