A/65/287
Report of the independent expert on minority issues
Summary
The present report is submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to its
resolution 63/174 of 18 December 2008. It is the first report submitted by the
independent expert on minority issues, Gay McDougall. Pursuant to resolution
63/174, the independent expert outlines her activities to promote implementation of
the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious
and Linguistic Minorities. The independent expert provides a brief overview of the
activities carried out under her mandate since its establishment in July 2005,
including country visits and thematic work undertaken.
The report focuses on the role of the protection of minority rights in conflict
prevention. Among the essential elements of a strategy to prevent conflicts involving
minorities are respect for minority rights, particularly with regard to equality in
access to economic and social opportunities; effective participation of minorities in
decision-making; dialogue between minorities and majorities within societies; and
the constructive development of practices and institutional arrangements to
accommodate diversity within society. Significantly, the independent expert
emphasizes that attention to minority rights at an early stage — before grievances
lead to tensions and violence — would make an invaluable contribution to the
culture of prevention within the United Nations, save countless lives and promote
stability and development. Among the recommendations included in the report is the
suggestion that expertise in minority rights should be strengthened and integrated
comprehensively across the United Nations system.
Contents
Chapter
I.
II.
III.
IV.
2
Page
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
A.
The link between minority rights violations and violent conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
B.
Early warning indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Protection of minority rights: a national tool for avoiding violent conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
A.
Effective participation in political life and decision-making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
B.
Protection of cultural identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
C.
Non-discrimination and equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
A minority rights perspective at the international level: a tool for conflict prevention . . . . . . .
15
A.
United Nations institutional framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
B.
Regional organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
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