Over the course of the 2009-2014 European Parliament legislature, UNPO has managed to consolidate its position as a valuable international platform linking minorities, indigenous peoples and occupied territories to one of the most powerful institutions in Europe – if not the world – in setting the course for the respect of minority rights. Many of UNPO’s Members have thus been able to step up their struggles and gain increased visibility for their plights at the European scene, through conferences, briefings and exhibitions organised or facilitated by UNPO. In this regard, considerable highlights include hearings organised by the European Parliament’s Subcommittee for Human Rights, on topics ranging from Extractive Industries and Contemporary Slavery, to Human Rights in Ukraine and the Iraqi Turkmen, as well as a European Parliament resolution on the plight of minority groups in Iraq.

The past five years have also seen a surge in minorities, indigenous peoples, non-self-governing nations, and other non-state groups seeking to exercise their right to self-determination as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations. In response to this, UNPO has sought to revive debates about the very concept of self-determination, placing it in the context of today’s globalised world and bringing it to the attention of the European Parliament. While doing so, UNPO has continuously emphasised the importance of nonviolence as a means to advance the interests of the peoples it represents, recognising that only a nonviolent struggle can result in a sustainable outcome.

In conclusion, UNPO’s close cooperation with Members of the European Parliament has shown that focusing the bulk of our activities in Europe, in particular the European Parliament, has the advantage of basing our struggle for minority rights not only on moral grounds, but on advanced legal mechanism in place in the region. Perhaps needless to say, the importance of involving European decision- and policy makers in UNPO’s work, lies in the power of the EU to put pressure on governments violating the rights of minorities and indigenous groups, by making economic cooperation conditional on the respect of such rights. Based on this positive experience, UNPO looks forward to working closely with the European Parliament also during the coming legislature, deepening existing relationships and developing new ones.

Last but not least, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to our Friends at the European Parliament for their invaluable support to UNPO and its Members over the past five years, wishing them all a successful election campaign.

Marino Busdachin

UNPO General Secretary