Human Rights Council
Resolution 7/6.
Mandate of the independent expert on minority
issues
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and
Linguistic Minorities,
Recalling also all previous resolutions on the rights of persons belonging to
national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities adopted by the General Assembly,
the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, including
Commission resolution 2005/79 of 21 April 2005 and Council resolution 6/15 of 28
September 2007,
Affirming that effective measures and the creation of favourable conditions for the
promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities, ensuring effective non-discrimination and equality for
all, as well as full and effective participation in matters affecting them, contribute to the
prevention and peaceful solution of human rights problems and situations involving
minorities,
Expressing concern at the frequency and severity of disputes and conflicts
involving minorities in many countries and their often tragic consequences, and that
persons belonging to minorities often suffer disproportionately the effects of conflict,
resulting in the violation of their human rights, and are particularly vulnerable to
displacement through, inter alia, population transfers, refugee flows and forced relocation,
Bearing in mind paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March
2006,