Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 46
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The concept of special measures is relevant for the effective political participation of women and men belonging to minorities as it can facilitate the implementation of minorities' rights to vote and to stand for office. It has been endorsed by the United Nations human rights bodies and by regional human rights institutions. With regard to the right to vote, the Human Rights Committee recognized that "[p]ositive measures should be taken to overcome specific difficulties, such as illiteracy, language barriers, poverty, or impediments to freedom of movement which prevent persons entitled to vote from exercising their rights effectively. Information and materials about voting should be available in minority languages".