Cornish legal right to exist as a UK National Minority

To:  The Cornish people, the UK Government and the Council of Europe

On 26th October 2007 the UK Government published its response to the Council of Europe's 'Committee of Experts' on minority rights (the Advisory Committee) latest Opinion, the content of which was distinctly Orwellian.

Concerns raised by the Advisory Committee in respect of certain groups were discussed in detail by Government, who showed respect and understanding towards the plight of these groups. This included, for example, many positive references in respect of the non-case law recognised Ulster-Scots. However all concerns raised by the Council of Europe's Advisory Committee in respect of the Cornish were entirely ignored.

The right to be regarded as a UK National Minority has for example been accorded to the Ulster Scots, Irish Travellers and many other groups. Thus far, the Cornish have been refused and the Westminster Government has allocated massive financial and ministerial resources to block their attempts. The Cornish people seek nothing more or nothing less than the same rights accorded to similar groups.

The Council of Europe’s 'Committee of Experts' on minority rights (the Advisory Committee) has consistently come out strongly in favour of Cornish inclusion within the Convention - it is only the UK Government blocking the recognition of the Cornish.

Upon studying the report further, it has become clear that Government has made a conscious decision to wipe the constitutional position of Cornwall, and the existence of the Cornish people, from the legal, administrative and historical record.

In August 2008 it was announced by Cornish human rights campaigners that they propose to lodge a case for the inclusion of the Cornish into the 'Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities' with the European Court of Human Rights. For a case to reach this stage however, it must be shown that campaigners have exhausted all domestic legal avenues by having the case summarily dismissed by the High Court, the Appeal Court and the House of Lords. We call upon the UK Government to review their decision and recognise the Cornish legal right to exist as a UK National Minority.

More information here:-

http://www.cornishfightingfund.org/
http://duchyofcornwall.eu/duchy05.php

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Cornish legal right to exist as a UK National Minority Petition to The Cornish people, the UK Government and the Council of Europe was created by and written by C Todd (fcnm@live.co.uk).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.