Minority definitions
The 1919 League of Nations Polish Minority Treaty (aka “Little Treaty of
Versailles”) between the Allied nations and Poland worked out the first
definition of “minority”.
Definition: "group of persons of different race, religion or the language than
the majority living within the state. These minorities are of two kinds:
a) those who are the citizens of a foreign state,
b) those who are the citizens living within the state”.
(see de Varennes 2001)
Collection of Advisory opinions, The Greco–Bulgarian “Communities”
case, 31st July 1930, Publications of The Permanent Court of International
Justice, Series B nr 17. This definition referred only to a contract between
Greece and Bulgaria, however its universal character determined its
inclusion in the general minority protection system:
Definition: “A community is a group of persons living in a given country or
locality, having a race, religion, language and traditions, and united by the
identity of such race, religion, language and traditions in a sentiment of
solidarity, with a view of preserving their traditions, maintaining their form of
worship, securing the instruction and upbringing of their children in
accordance with the spirit and traditions of their race and mutually assisting
one another.”
United Nations Sub-Committee for Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of National Minorities (1950):
Definition: “the notion of minority refers only to social groups, which are not
predominant in the state of the groups’ residence, which want to support their
ethnic, religious or linguistic traditions and the features distinguishing them
from the rest of the society.” It also emphasized that they had to be loyal to
the country they lived in.
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – CCPR (1966), Article 27
www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CCPR.aspx
“In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons
belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with
the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and
practise their own religion, or to use their own language.”
 offers no definition
For the Capotorti definition (1977), see notes, LHR Paradigm #25
MINORI (1992) – the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons
Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities
www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/Minorities.aspx
 offers no definition
 refers to CCPR art. 27, and expands on it
European Commission for Democracy thru Law (Venice Commission)
an advisory body to the Council of Europe, drafted a definition of minorities
in 1991. It was part of a draft protocol which was never adopted but is
often referred to:
Definition: “national minority” is defined as “a smaller group in number than
the rest of population, which being citizens possess also ethnic, religious or
linguistic features which are different from characteristic features of
population, and which they will keep regarding their own culture, tradition,
religion and language.”
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/rms/090000168007cdac
OHCHR discussion of “Minorities under international law”
www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Minorities/Pages/internationallaw.aspx
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refers to Capotorti
refers to MINORI
no accepted definition
keeps options open