Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 19
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The Independent Expert's evaluation of minority issues is based on the Declaration and other relevant international standards. She identifies four broad areas of global concern: (a) the protection of a minority's existence, including combating violence against them and preventing genocide; (b) the protection and promotion of the identity of minority groups and their right to enjoy their collective identity and to reject forced assimilation; (c) the guarantee of the rights to non-discrimination and equality, including the ending of structural or systemic discrimination and the promotion of affirmative action when required; and (d) the right to effective participation in public life and decisions that affect them.