History of Minority Rights

As part of the Master's Program in European Legal Practice, a guest lecture on the topic "History of Minority Rights" will take place on December 9 (Room 1502.1311), as well as on December 10 and 11 (Room 1501.A003, Niedersachsensaal) 2025 from 09:45 to 11:15.

We are pleased to have Frau Prof. Dr. Caroula Argyriadis-Kervegan from CY Cergy Paris Université as the guest lecturer.

Interested parties, even those not part of the course, are warmly invited to attend.

About the Lecture

The concept of 'minority(ies)' emerged from the building of the nation state in the 18th century. The term 'minority' gained prominence in the 20th century and was adopted in the 1992 Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. Nevertheless, it refers to a population category that has always existed on the periphery of official society in different conditions and contexts, giving rise to a specific type of right.

Throughout history, social, religious and ethnic groups have been minorities in relation to dominant societies. This seminar will offer a deeper insight to the legal status of these vulnerable groups, who often live on the fringes of official legal system.

The lecture examines the status of ‘foreigner’ groups within a specific state from antiquity to the modern era. The course subsequently examines the status of religious minorities, for example Christians under the early Roman Empire.

Furthermore the lecture will study the emergence of a new type of ‘foreigner’: the indigenous or autochthonous person. This topic emerged at the time of the discovery of the New World in the 15th century and has given rise to rich philosophical and anthropological discussions.

Finally the lecture examines the status of various religious and ethnic minorities within monarchical European states during the 19^th and early 20^th century.