Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

HL Deb 31 March 2004 vol 659 c163WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider British Muslims to be within the scope of protection of the Framework Convention on National Minorities. [HL2034]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities does not define the term "national minority" nor is "national minority" a legally defined term in the United Kingdom.

The Government therefore ratified the framework convention on the understanding that its principles should apply to members of "racial groups" as set out in the Race Relations Act 1976. This defines a racial group as:

"a group of persons defined by reference to colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins".

Case Law has established that Muslims do not constitute a racial group within the meaning of the Race Relations Act. They are not therefore covered by the framework convention. It is of course the case that many Muslims in the United Kingdom are also members of ethnic minority communities, which are covered by the terms of the framework convention.