An attempt of defining Ethnic Minorities for their better protection

Abstract

Although the problem of defining ethnic (national) minorities has been written in a lot, it has not been resolved to this day. In that respect, after pointing out that it is more correct to speak about ethnic minorities than national minorities, the article gives an overview of the most important attempts to give an abstract definition of ethnic minorities, which would apply to all cases. Noting that there is still no generally accepted definition of these groups, the article offers explanation of why this is so. After that nine characteristics of ethnic minorities are identified, with the belief that they are at the same time the most important elements for defining these groups. The article points out that various definitions are possible, for various needs. Then a comprehensive general (abstract) definition of ethnic minorities is offered with the belief that it he can serve in most cases.