The failure of the international system of protection of human rights: Ethnic and national minority rights

The primary objective of this work is to examine how effective international mechanisms for the protection of minorities are in resolving ethnic conflicts. Often violent, these conflicts threaten the territorial integrity and stability of states; yet in most cases, states oppose implementation of measures to protect minorities. The denial of minority rights is probably the single most important factor in the escalation of ethnic conflicts.; This work surveys existing international mechanisms for minority protection and explores the reasons why an effective system for protection of minority rights has yet to be established. It will attempt to answer the following question: Why has the United Nations system failed to deliver effective protection of minorities? The thesis explores changing attitudes towards minorities in the light of theory of international human rights law. Special attention will be paid to the emerging international phenomenon of non-governmental organizations.