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Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 92
- Paragraph text
- In its work in the field the United Nations has developed some excellent practice with regard to minority issues. However, there is no mechanism for or consistent practice of ensuring that minority issues are mainstreamed across the in-country work of entities in the United Nations system, in accordance with article 9 of the Declaration, even in countries where those issues are at the core of local conflicts. At the Headquarters level, in the Department of Political Affairs and in the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, know-how on minority rights could be enhanced to facilitate the development of policies and practices sensitive to minorities. Appropriate training programmes and resources are required for staff throughout the United Nations system, to assist in the early identification by decision makers at the highest level of tensions involving minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 101
- Paragraph text
- States should involve members of all minority groups in conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 108
- Paragraph text
- Effective steps should be taken to ensure that the national staff composition of the United Nations country teams is inclusive of persons from minority communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Conflict prevention is not the sole positive outcome of respect for minority rights. Societies flourish when all voices are heard, when all opinions are considered; when all citizens participate; and when the talent that exists in all communities is enabled to contribute to political institutions. Inclusion is good for societies as a whole, not just for those previously left out. Consequently, creating the conditions for the effective participation of minorities should be considered by States as an integral aspect of good governance and a key priority in their efforts to ensure equality and non-discrimination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- States are at times, however, diverted from acting consistently with this inclusive approach to national self-interest. Minorities are too often seen as a threat to the State and/or national unity. Governments may hold the erroneous views that national unity is fragile or that new States can be achieved only through the denial or disregard of distinctive aspects of the identity of minorities; that demands by minorities for an equal voice in policymaking will dissipate central authority; that respect for minority languages produces cleavages between ethnic groups or translates into prohibitive government expenditures; or that culturally defined production methods have no place in a modern economy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Many States are engaged in ongoing efforts to accommodate the interests of diverse communities. Finding the optimal arrangement may be a dynamic process and may not be resolved at the first attempt. Some States have repeatedly adjusted the structure of their systems of federalism over many years in an effort to defuse conflict over power and resources. What is important is to ensure that the State provides channels to raise issues and to participate in decision-making; that it constantly reassesses the success of efforts to accommodate diversity; and that it is aware of the different options available.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- The effective and meaningful participation of minorities in the political arena can be a pivotal element in avoiding violent conflict. While members of minorities have the right to participate in decision-making processes, particularly those that affect them, as established in article 2 (3) of the Declaration, the reality is often quite different. Minorities are greatly underrepresented in the political processes and governing institutions of most countries for a variety of reasons. They may be intentionally restricted from participation or inadvertently disadvantaged by laws or policies, or there may be a lack of political will to dismantle structural barriers to the full and equal participation of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- States have significant leeway to decide, in consultation with minority communities, the modalities by which political participation can be achieved. Those measures may include the devolution of certain powers by means of a federal or autonomy arrangement; an informal council of minority representatives or a statutory body, which is consulted by the executive on matters of concern to the minority; electoral systems based on proportional representation; a system of reserved seats for minorities in parliament; or the facilitated participation in the electoral process of political parties representing the interests of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- Modalities for inclusion should always ensure ample representation of minorities at all levels of the civil service, including the police and the judiciary (see A/HRC/13/23). Additionally, it is important to note that the Declaration does not endorse modalities that would violate the sovereignty or the territorial integrity of States. Most importantly, the modality for political inclusion must afford minorities genuine influence. Tokenism or State interference in the process of identifying political representatives, for example, may lead to deeper frustrations. Further, full respect for freedoms of expression and assembly is critical.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- In November 2009, the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues focused on the issue of minorities and effective political participation. Representatives of minority communities, staff of the relevant funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations and experts on minority rights participated actively in the session. The Forum produced a set of practical recommendations and affirmed that ensuring meaningful and informed participation and the management by minorities of matters directly affecting them was a means to promote stability and integration in the societies where minorities live (A/HRC/13/25, para. 5). The Forum also recommended that States should consider what special arrangements were needed to ensure that minorities could participate in political processes during situations of transition or conflict (ibid., para. 24).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- When violent conflict does occur in diverse societies, applying a minority rights-based approach to consultations regarding peace agreements will require that all communities affected by the conflict, including those that are not active parties to it, be able to participate in the settlement process. That approach should counteract a tendency common in many conflict situations, whereby Governments, and to a certain extent the international community, focus predominately on addressing the demands of communities that are linked to armed movements, which may result in peace agreements that guarantee rights for some communities at the expense of others. That outcome both rewards the use of violence and violates the rights of those not associated with armed movements.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- A prime example is the constitutional arrangement derived from the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexes thereto (Dayton Peace Agreement) (A/50/790). According to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, membership in the House of Peoples and the Presidency are reserved solely to those who identify as belonging to one of the "constituent peoples". That provision has been found by the European Court of Human Rights to violate international legal protections against discrimination on racial or ethnic grounds, and specifically the rights of persons belonging to ethnic groups other than the Bosniacs, Serbs or Croats. Sustainable peace is highly dependent on the participation of all population groups in peace negotiations and resulting State institutional arrangements.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- At the core of minority rights are the protection and preservation of culturally distinctive identities within societies. The denigration or suppression of the defining identity of a person or group can be a powerful factor in generating conflict. Repressive measures to control or restrict religious or traditional practices or force assimilation can galvanize opposition and bridge other divides that may exist within the targeted communities, thereby creating a common platform around which they can rally. Language, in particular, is a potent vehicle of culture. The imposition on minority communities of a majority language, either through teaching in public schools or formal prohibitions on the use of minority languages, has been a spark that has ignited many violent clashes in every region of the world.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The Declaration, in articles 4 (2) and 4 (3), establishes positive obligations requiring that States take measures to create favourable conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs, except where specific practices are in violation of national law and contrary to international standards. It also requires that States take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible, persons belonging to minorities may have adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or have instruction in their mother tongue. In terms of good practice, the Constitution of South Africa provides a good example of how recognition of the diversity of identities in the country, and in particular language rights, has contributed to cohesion and a relatively peaceful transition to democracy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- Central to the identity of communities are their historical narratives. Inclusion in the national narrative was a central demand of members of minorities in every country the independent expert visited. Inclusion, in that respect, can be achieved through recognition in national policy statements, history textbooks for schools, museums that celebrate the varied cultures of a country and the contributions of all groups to the national identity, and national days of celebration, to name only a few models. Nevertheless, the histories and contributions of minorities are rarely adequately reflected, which contributes to a sense of alienation and exclusion for members of some minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Some conflicts are rooted in the denial or deprivation of citizenship to certain identity groups. Disputes regarding citizenship often arise against the background of pre-existing ethnic or regional conflict, linked in many cases to broader factors of poverty, competition for scarce resources and political instability (A/HRC/7/23, para. 26). The denial of citizenship to a minority community has both a symbolic and practical impact, both of which can be central to the origins of conflict. It sends an unambiguous message about the exclusion of a community as part of the national identity. The denial of citizenship can also mean denial of access to schooling, to health treatment or other services and to political office as well as the constant threat of deportation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion is a cause, a manifestation and a consequence of discrimination against persons belonging to minorities. Many minorities have historically been excluded from full and effective participation in economic life, both in the developed and in the developing world. Minorities are often discriminated against when they seek employment, for example, on the basis of their colour, their religion, their language, their names, or even their addresses. Minorities are often poorly represented even in public sector employment and despite legislation that bans discrimination in both public and private sectors. They may face barriers in accessing credit or loans to begin small businesses and may live in the poorest regions or remote areas that offer limited prospects for their economic development. Equally, large-scale economic development projects or commercial activities carried out on the lands and territories where minorities live without their prior consultation has had negative impacts, including displacement, the perpetuation of poverty and, in some cases, violence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- Several factors and challenges can exacerbate this exclusion of minorities, including deteriorating economic conditions, ethnic tensions and rising discrimination. In some countries, unequal regional distribution of resources and services as well as lack of basic infrastructure in regions where minorities live often have the effect of excluding them from fully exercising their economic and social rights. The past decade has also brought into the picture new and unanticipated challenges, including the global food and economic crises that have been proven to have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups and minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- Consequently, the rights of minorities to participate effectively in economic life must be fully taken into account by Governments seeking to promote equality at every level. From implementing non-discrimination in employment to enforcing corporate responsibility principles and developing national economic development and international development assistance schemes, Governments face the constant challenge of ensuring that the rights of minorities are protected and that they benefit as equal stakeholders in society. In their response to the current global crisis, development agencies, financial institutions and other actors involved in international cooperation are also faced with the challenge of ensuring that measures taken to alleviate the effects of the crises do not negatively impact minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- The adequate representation of minorities at all levels and in all branches of the criminal justice system can have particularly important implications for relations between disadvantaged communities and the Government. Negative encounters with police or security forces at the local level shape minority perceptions of their treatment and acceptance by the State. There may be a lack of understanding of issues facing a minority community or of sensitivities relevant to policing, especially in situations in which minorities experience wider societal discrimination. The policing of minority areas by exclusively majority police forces may inflame tensions and, under certain conditions, lead to the outbreak of violence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion and denial of access to quality education bring about a sense of despair and destroy hopes of upward mobility. As such they are often a central grievance and a source of tensions. International standards on non discrimination, including the Declaration, place an obligation on States to institute affirmative action policies to correct historical patterns of exclusion and enable members of minorities to achieve equality. Many States have recognized the corrosive nature of inequalities and have implemented such measures. Affirmative action programmes can, however, be a point of contention for majority communities, in particular when poorer members of majority communities perceive that they are losing out. It is important that Governments exercise leadership in educating the larger public, demonstrating that such programmes are based on the principles of justice and equal opportunity and result in fairer and more stable society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- Poor education and economic opportunities commonly affect women members of disadvantaged minorities disproportionately. Women may face a scarcity of employment opportunities and discriminatory hiring practices based on prejudice against their minority group. Women generally share a disproportionate burden of caregiving, especially when poverty denies any possible respite or help. The heavy burden imposed on individuals and entire communities by the lack of options often fuels a disturbing culture of domestic violence. Levels of economic exclusion can be compounded by discrimination in access to other rights, for example civil and political rights, leaving women very limited access to the criminal justice system for their domestic violence cases.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- A frequent source of conflict worldwide is discrimination and inequality in relation to land and property. For minority communities, often located in remote rural areas, the land and territories on which they live are a source of food security and income generation as well as being vital to the preservation of minority cultures, traditions and collective identity. However, some minorities find that their rights to own, occupy and use land are limited or violated and they may find themselves displaced or evicted, in some cases to make way for national economic development schemes, the activities of multinational corporations or for natural resources development. Land and property issues should consequently be given close attention in respect of conflict prevention.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Further issues of importance regarding patterns of discrimination are presented by international development cooperation. In some countries, programmes to promote development implemented by Governments and external donors fail to take into account the inequalities between communities, the unique circumstances of minorities or the possible need for special measures to ensure that minority communities also benefit from such initiatives. Further, minorities may be adversely affected, for example through displacement by large-scale projects such as dams and natural resource extraction, or as a result of the negative environmental impact of such projects. As noted in the report of the independent expert on minorities, poverty and the Millennium Development Goals, conflict prevention is one reason why monitoring poverty alleviation among persons belonging to minorities is crucial: if strategies are successful for some groups but not for minorities, inequalities will increase and so too may tension. Inclusive participation strategies for poverty reduction are proven and effective conflict prevention measures (see A/HRC/4/9, para. 43).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- According to a statistical assessment carried out by Minority Rights Group International, over 55 per cent of violent conflicts of a significant intensity between 2007 and 2009 had at their core violations of minority rights or tensions between communities. In a further 22 per cent of conflicts, minority issues had emerged or receded in the course of the evolution of the conflict. Those figures indicate that Governments, donors and intergovernmental organizations need to allocate significant attention and resources to minority issues as sources of conflict. However, the current picture in this regard is mixed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- The tragic events in Rwanda and in the former Yugoslavia gave new impetus to efforts by the United Nations to protect minorities - described by the Secretary-General as "genocide's most frequent targets" - and other vulnerable population groups. In 2004, the Secretary-General established the mandate of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. The principal objective of the Special Adviser is to advise the Secretary-General and the Security Council on actions to protect vulnerable populations from genocide. The Office of the Special Adviser also attempts to identify a range of potential threats to minority populations at an early stage and make recommendations regarding the more constructive management of cultural diversity issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- As an essential tool of the early warning aspects of the mandate, the Special Adviser's office is privy to an enormous flow of information generated by sources inside and external to the United Nations system. The Special Adviser's gauge for sifting through that information flow is calibrated for precursors to genocide: an extremely important focus but one that is limited, fortunately, to a small number of situations. Clearly, therefore, there is a need for additional tools that focus on chronic abuses of minority rights at the earliest stages, to identify situations needing more upstream preventive action.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- By its resolution 60/1 of 16 September 2005, the General Assembly adopted the 2005 World Summit Outcome, in which the States Members of the United Nations conceptualized a principle that is of prime importance to the protection of minorities: the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, more commonly known as "the responsibility to protect". This concept recognizes the duty of the international community to intervene to protect populations when their own Governments cannot or lack the will to do so. It prioritizes above all the use of appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, before legitimate force is contemplated through Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- A number of offices and agencies within the United Nations system have information assessment, early warning and conflict prevention functions. The Department of Political Affairs is the lead agency for conflict prevention and peacemaking. Within the Department, the standby team of mediation experts, an innovative unit established in March 2008, plays an important role. The team is on call to provide expertise on specific issues to United Nations initiatives to mediate in situations of conflict or potential conflict. This team has provided support and advice to peacemaking and dialogue efforts in several situations involving minorities, including Darfur, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines. The Department has a focal point on indigenous peoples, but not one on minorities. The standby team currently includes an expert on power-sharing, but does not include a professional with more comprehensive expertise on minority rights. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also has an Early Warning and Contingency Planning Section.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- The Inter-Agency Framework for Coordination on Preventative Action (Framework team) is an informal forum for inter-agency exchange of information and collaboration involving 21 different United Nations entities (A/64/864, paras. 7 13). The Framework team is a mechanism that shares information on potential crises and works together to support the development of inter-agency conflict prevention initiatives. As such it is a key part of the United Nations conflict prevention architecture. The Framework team is designed to support the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations country team in countries that show early signs that a situation, whether at the regional, national or subnational level, is likely to lead to violence. The programme initiatives are designed to address the issues at the early upstream stage in the conflict cycle, so that the situation does not escalate into overt conflict.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Good practice exists at the policy level and in field operations, as illustrated by examples provided by the specialized agencies of the United Nations. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates an early warning system in some of its in-country programmes, often using sophisticated computer mapping, which is designed to map specific local conditions, such as movements of security forces and displaced peoples, presence of weapons, availability of basic services and access to water sources. In some situations a process of broad consultations with local communities is incorporated. UNDP has developed a capacity to identify the root causes of conflicts, notably through deployment of peace and development advisers to country teams who help in conducting conflict analyses. Experience has shown that context-specific systems that mix qualitative and quantitative indicators and political analysis are effective, if highly resource intensive.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- In Guyana, a project carried out jointly by the Department of Political Affairs and UNDP seeks to build national capacities for the promotion of reconciliation between ethnic groups, including through the creation of committees to enable community representatives to work out their issues themselves. In Indonesia, the Bureau spent two years working with Christian and Muslim communities, providing space for reconciliation and consensus-building. Issues such as access to civil service jobs and perceptions of respect for ethnic and religious identity were addressed. Significant improvements were achieved in the level of understanding between the communities and in the level of security.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- The mandate of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) does not explicitly encompass conflict prevention; however, UNICEF both generates and monitors country-specific data that reveal situations of emerging conflict. Its activities focusing on the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children position it uniquely to play the kind of early prevention role with respect to minority rights that is contemplated by this report. Given that minority children are often the most disadvantaged, there is a sound basis for the engagement of UNICEF in minority issues. With a wide network of offices worldwide, UNICEF is in an important position to encourage the introduction of minority issues on Government public policy agendas, to support Government efforts and directly deliver assistance to minority children and women. The UNICEF field presence is common in conflict zones, and its focus on protection issues makes it an institution with key relevance to conflict prevention. At UNICEF headquarters, there is a cluster of professionals whose portfolios include minority rights issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- The Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and the treaty monitoring bodies are well placed to identify the warning signs of impending conflicts, including those affecting minorities. In October 2009, a United Nations round table on Special Procedures entitled "Early Warning and Emerging Issues" was held in New York. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief emphasized the contribution that these mechanisms can make to a better understanding of complex situations, for example involving systemic exclusion and discrimination of certain minority groups. Other participants recommended strengthening the capacity of the Special Procedures to contribute to early warning, by ensuring that their recommendations were communicated more effectively to the United Nations field presences, by improving on follow-up to communications to States and by ensuring that data revealing patterns of severe abuses were communicated as early warnings.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has established a specific mechanism to address conflicts involving minorities, the High Commissioner on National Minorities. The mandate is informed by the minority rights provisions contained in the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (29 June 1990). The High Commissioner acts as an early warning and early action mechanism, primarily through the use of preventive diplomacy. The High Commissioner can visit countries where tensions have arisen between a minority and the State and engage with representatives of both sides. The High Commissioner uses a problem-solving approach to break down the externally voiced positions into an analysis of needs, interests and aspirations, and propose constructive solutions based on a broad knowledge of approaches worldwide.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Preventive diplomacy can be most effective when tensions first arise between a Government and a minority, and they are relatively susceptible to third party engagement. Envoys may work discreetly, as the situation is not yet in the glare of national or international media. Parties may be willing to calmly present their concerns, and to explore possible solutions. When a situation develops from these initial tensions to actual incidences of violence, positions begin to harden and resistance to compromise grows. It becomes more difficult for leaders to make compromises as the depth of feeling and emotion among their constituencies increases.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- As an illustrative example, in the late 1990s the High Commissioner monitored the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and became very concerned about grievances of the ethnic Albanian population, particularly with respect to access to Albanian-language university-level education and other language rights, as well as the right to run their own media outlets and political participation. He issued an early warning within OSCE and also took a project-oriented approach to easing tensions around the contentious language issue. The High Commissioner persuaded the Government to adopt a new language law permitting private universities to offer instruction in languages other than Macedonian. He then raised the funds to establish a new university that would offer instruction in Albanian.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- The Peace and Security Council mission recommended a meeting of regional Governments, representatives of the Mbororo and local affected communities, to develop a strategy that would help reduce tension in the most sensitive areas, to consider the delimitation of livestock corridors to be used by pastoralists and to discuss national projects to improve Mbororo integration in the national health and education systems, taking into account their lifestyle (mobile schools and health structures). As ever, the challenge remains the implementation of such recommendations, particularly in countries where resources are at a premium. There is a need for continued, sustained dialogue between Governments and communities concerned and an emphasis on follow-up on the recommendations of such fact-finding missions, ideally with the support of international humanitarian agencies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- Substantial steps have been taken over recent years to reposition international engagement with conflict situations from the point of reaction to a point of identification of early warnings. There is mounting evidence that one of the earliest indicators of potential violence is the chronic disregard of minority rights. Early warning systems must have the necessary expertise to be alert to such indicators. While there is already a substantial flow of information to early warning mechanisms within the United Nations system, a focus on minority rights should be strengthened.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- The right to effective participation is meaningless unless a group has the ability and the resources to exercise it. An important precondition for the political participation of minorities is the capacity to participate. The capacity of minority communities to participate in the public life encompasses a broad range of issues. It hinges on the ability of persons belonging to minorities to exercise the full gamut of cultural, economic and social rights, among them language rights, the right to education, the right to work, the right to health, the right to food, the right to housing, and others. In the view of the Human Rights Committee, States should take positive measures to overcome specific difficulties.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Legal, cultural or linguistic biases may also hinder effective minority participation in public life. High electoral thresholds usually have an adverse effect on the ability of minority communities to secure political representation and can constitute indirect discrimination. Requirements for the registration of political parties can restrict in an unreasonable and disproportionate way the ability of persons belonging to minorities to exercise their freedom of assembly and association. The delineation of electoral districts may distort the distribution of voters, thus having a discriminatory effect on a particular group or resulting in gerrymandering. Constitutional provisions on minority participation are alone insufficient to guarantee effective participation. Specific laws and policies enabling the implementation of such constitutional principles are necessary. The implementation of the latter must, in turn, be monitored and minority participation in their articulation, implementation and monitoring must be secured.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- The collection of data disaggregated by ethnicity, age, gender, geographical distribution and other relevant categories is an important precondition for the development of adequate and efficient models of participation of persons belonging to minorities. Such data make it possible to monitor the participation of minorities and ascertain whether fair and representative participation mechanisms have been put in place. The collection of disaggregated data must take place in accordance with international standards on personal data protection, as well as respecting the right of persons belonging to minorities to choose freely to be treated or not as minorities. Representatives of minorities should be involved in the process of data collection, and the data collection methods should be designed in close cooperation with them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- Although article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantees the exercise of the right to public participation to citizens, it has come to be widely recognized that citizenship requirements can hamper effective participation in certain fields of public affairs. While it remains accepted for States to impose certain restrictions on non-citizens concerning the right to vote and to be elected, such restrictions should not be applied more widely than necessary. Denial of citizenship has been used by States to exclude minorities from the enjoyment of their rights. States should consider allowing non-citizens belonging to minorities to vote, stand as candidates in local elections and be members of the governing boards of self-governing bodies, while making sure that access to citizenship is regulated in a non-discriminatory manner. Positive examples of this kind exist in a number of States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Access to membership in viable political parties is important for the effective mobilization of minorities in the political process, both in elections and in the conduct of the business of the legislature and administrative bodies. In some countries ethnicity-based or faith-based political parties are prohibited by law or greatly discouraged. In other countries, minorities or religious groups may either have their own political parties, or their interests may be represented by mainstream parties. The nature of the electoral system may impact on the nature of political parties and the way in which minority interests are, or are not, addressed. Both types of parties have advantages and disadvantages for minorities: minority-focused parties may address minority issues but they will risk having fewer resources and less political influence and may, if narrowly focused, increase the public perception of minorities and minority issues as marginal. Of course, political party platforms that are racist in content violate international law whether adopted by minority or majority parties.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Minorities also face challenges when participating in majority parties. Even if they do address minority issues, majority parties may not prioritize in their broader agendas, or may lose sight of, those issues important to minority communities. Certain types of electoral systems or political structures may make it advantageous or necessary for political parties to obtain the support of a broad spectrum of voters; this can create incentives for mainstream parties to address minority interests and/or select minority candidates to broaden their appeal. Mainstream political parties may also have internal diversity programmes, including training and mentoring, in order to encourage an increase in the number of minority politicians and activists. Where the electoral system requires parties to present a list of candidates for election, as opposed to single-candidate constituencies, there may be a legal or policy requirement that the list be ethnically mixed or have a minimum number of minority candidates. Other special measures may be applied, especially to facilitate the election of women candidates.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- Some types of electoral systems may be more conducive than others to the election of minority representatives, and mechanisms specifically designed to enhance minority representation may also be incorporated into the electoral system. The electoral system prescribes how votes are translated into seats and different systems can lead to different outcomes on the same number of votes. The Human Rights Committee has stressed that "[t]he principle of one person, one vote, must apply, and within the framework of each State's electoral system, the vote of one elector should be equal to the vote of another". As a matter of general principle, therefore, each voter has one vote. However, in certain circumstances, in particular where the minority is small and as a special measure to improve the integration of a minority into the political system, members of minorities may have the right to vote for both a minority representative with a reserved seat and a general non-minority representative.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- A common mechanism used to facilitate minority representation is the allocation of special seats in the legislature to representatives of certain minorities (reserved seats). This is usually done under majority electoral systems which otherwise cannot guarantee minority representation, but is sometimes also used in proportional representation or mixed systems. Usually, members of the minority group, who have to register as such for this purpose, elect these representatives. The number of reserved seats generally seeks to reflect the proportion of the minority in the overall population, so it is likely to be small. If there are a number of very small minorities, they may be assigned a combined seat, although it may not be easy for one representative to represent genuinely the interests of all such groups. Mainstream parties may have an interest in mobilizing the reserved seats.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- Where the electoral system requires parties to present a list of candidates for election, the electoral law may require that the list be ethnically mixed or have a minimum number of minority candidates. In "closed list" systems, where the party, rather than the voter, determines the order of priority of the candidates, the party may place the minority candidate high on the list to ensure that she or he gains a seat, regardless of voters' actual preferences. Of course, such lists can be a barrier to effective minority representation if mainstream political parties place minority candidates low on their lists.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- Minority participation in Government (the executive or administrative branch) is another crucial form of minority participation, that is, as members of the Cabinet and other such bodies. Measures which may increase minority participation in Government include the allocation to minorities of membership in key committees, advisory bodies or other high-level organs; the creation of high-level bodies to address issues of relevance to minorities, preferably run by members of minorities; and the institutionalization of active consideration of minority issues across relevant ministries through, for example, personnel or a division appointed to address minority concerns within each relevant ministry, the issuance of standing directives, and the creation of inter-ministerial working groups to facilitate coordination. A careful balance between mainstreaming and targeting should be achieved in this regard to make minority participation most effective and to avoid having minority issues marginalized in a single, possibly disempowered, department.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- The participation of minorities in administration, the judiciary, public bodies and public companies is another important aspect of the realization of the minority right to effective participation. Minority participation in decision-making is facilitated if members of minorities work as civil servants in a broad range of bodies, and are not confined exclusively to bodies dealing with minority issues. In some cases, there may be legal or constitutional requirements for proportional representation in the public administration bodies. Certain types of quotas have been deemed illegal in some States; however, the benefits of such special measures are evident.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- One system of power-sharing which is frequently regarded as enabling minority participation in Government is consociationalism, whereby all larger minorities are entitled to participate in Government and to a proportion of positions in the public service. Under consociationalism, ethnic groups are recognized as political entities and, as such, are entitled to a large degree of self-government in matters deemed to be internal to them, and to a share in power when matters of common interest are being resolved at the national level. It is also possible to base power-sharing not explicitly on ethnicity but on political parties; such arrangements tend to encourage the political integration of ethnic groups. A major criticism of consociationalism is that it risks excluding and disempowering smaller minorities who are not included in such arrangements.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- In some States, there is a strong demand from communities to have their traditional governance structures respected. Such structures may include systems whereby elders are consulted by community members and decide on important matters, whether they involve individual members or the community collectively. Communities may also have recognized customary laws or a code of behaviour, and these may or may not be written. Whether written or unwritten, it is critically important that such traditional governance structures include women and other marginalized groups in decision-making positions and apply international human rights principles fully in all aspects of their activities. With this proviso, initiatives whereby traditionally recognized community leaders are incorporated into formal government structures and legislatures are welcome and contribute to a better realization of the right to effective participation. Moreover, elders may play a role in conflict management, for instance by acting as arbiters in disputes between community members.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- Effective participation in decision-making processes, particularly in those which have an impact on minorities, is a precondition for the full and equal enjoyment of the human rights of persons belonging to them. There are at least two key lessons to be drawn. The first is the truly essential nature of the right to effective participation: the fulfilment of so many other fundamental human rights is both dependent on and a prerequisite for its fulfilment. The second lesson is that the effectiveness of the political participation of minorities must constantly be evaluated and at all levels of society, in order to ensure that it is real and meaningful. A full set of recommendations can be found in document A/HRC/13/25.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- In its resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007, the Human Rights Council established a Forum on Minority Issues ("the Forum"), inter alia to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues. The independent expert is required to guide the work of the Forum and prepare its annual meetings. The inaugural session took place on 15 and 16 December 2008 in Geneva with a thematic focus on "Minorities and the Right to Education".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- In September 2009, the independent expert participated in a conference held in Cali, Colombia, as a regional follow-up activity to the first session of the Forum, which had focused on minorities and the right to education. The conference was organized by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Justice and Human Rights, in collaboration with the Cornell Law School's International Human Rights Clinic and the International Human Rights Law Clinic of the University of Virginia. In an effort to continue dialogue, remain accountable to local communities and promote grass-roots advocacy, the conference publicly launched the report entitled "Right to Education of Afro-descendant and Indigenous Communities in the Americas" that it had previously presented at the Forum. The report addresses failures to fulfil obligations with respect to the right to education without discrimination within the Americas, focusing on Colombia, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert contributed an article to The State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009: Education Special, produced by Minority Rights Group International in association with UNICEF. The publication presented the recommendations of the Forum and provided case studies, thematic essays on the problems faced by minorities with respect to education and an analysis of those issues region-wide. In the report, it is highlighted that, globally, 101 million children are out of school: between 50 and 70 per cent are from minorities or indigenous peoples. The publication is widely circulated to all regions and stakeholders including Governments and decision makers, NGOs and a targeted audience in the field of minority rights and education. It has also been provided to all UNICEF regional and country offices.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert led an electronic global discussion organized by UNICEF to highlight the issues in the special education edition of the State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009 and the Forum on Minority Issues, with a view to highlighting the issues around minority girls' right to education. Specifically, the e-discussion examined the multiple barriers faced by minority girls in accessing education, evaluated the legal and policy responses to the above question, discussed good practices from the regional and country level and developed recommendations in line with the educational needs and priorities of minority and indigenous girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- The right to effective participation is a fundamental human right, affirmed in a number of key international legal instruments. Effective participation underpins the realization of all human rights of women and men belonging to ethnic or national, religious and linguistic minorities. It is through effective participation that a person expresses and protects her or his identity, ensuring the survival and dignity of the minority. The right to effective participation recognizes the fact that the participation of minorities in various areas of life is essential for the development of a truly inclusive and just society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- It is for these reasons that the independent expert on minority issues chose effective political participation as the theme of the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues, held in Geneva on 12 and 13 November 2009. It should be underscored from the outset that the right of minorities to effective political participation does not encompass separatist movements. Rather, the intent is to ensure the inclusion of all persons belonging to minorities in a just and fair society. This background document summarizes the relevant basic international legal principles, the preconditions for ensuring effective political participation, and some of the models and conceptual tools that States are using in order to meet their international obligations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- The right to effective participation, the prohibition of discrimination and special measures are firmly rooted in international human rights law. The right of all persons to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, as well as to vote and be elected in genuine periodic elections is affirmed in article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This provision is an elaboration of article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- The United Nations Human Rights Committee has interpreted the conduct of public affairs broadly as the exercise of power in the legislative, executive and administrative branches. In the view of the Committee, the provision covers all aspects of public administration, including the formulation and implementation of policy at international, national, regional and local levels. Furthermore, citizens may participate in the conduct of public affairs directly or indirectly. Once a mode of participation is established, no distinction should be made between citizens as regards their participation on such grounds as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, and no unreasonable restrictions should be imposed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights places explicit emphasis on non-discrimination in the exercise of the rights contained therein, as they are to be enjoyed "without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 [of the Covenant]". Article 2 secures the respect for the rights recognized in the Covenant without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This basic principle of prohibition of discrimination is repeated elsewhere in the Covenant and articulated in a number of instruments.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- The right to effective participation has more recently been strengthened with regard to groups strongly at risk of marginalization. Article 41 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families protects the rights of documented and regular migrant workers and their families to participate in the public affairs of their State of origin and to be elected through elections of that State. Perhaps more importantly, article 42 requires the States of employment to facilitate the consultation or participation of migrant workers and members of their families in decisions concerning the life and administration of local communities; States of employment may, moreover, grant migrant workers the enjoyment of political rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- The right to effective participation is further upheld in provisions within existing regional human rights treaties. These include the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women. The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) protects the right to free elections through its Protocol No. 1 (art. 3) and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities creates an obligation for States to ensure the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities (art. 15). Comparable provisions on the prohibition of discrimination are also contained in the regional human rights treaties.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- The international legal framework has repeatedly recognized the need for special and concrete measures to protect certain groups with the purpose of guaranteeing them full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The use of special measures is in fact a fundamental component of the realization of the right to non-discrimination. Special measures are not merely permissible under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination but also, in certain circumstances, a requirement. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has emphasized that "the adoption of special measures by States parties when the circumstances so warrant, such as in the case of persistent disparities, is an obligation".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- 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".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Arguments for special measures which could ensure the participation of minorities in public bodies are based on the fact that because of their smaller number, minorities can hardly ever determine the outcome of decisions in a majoritarian democracy. In practice, minorities tend to be outvoted, unable to secure representation proportionate with their numbers, thus denying them an effective voice in the public and political life of States. The rationale for special measures is not, as is frequently perceived, to create a privileged position for minorities, but rather to level the playing field, placing minorities in the same position as majorities. Being involved in national political and social processes, contributing to policymaking and participating in (and benefiting from) public services should help to counter marginalization and alienation. States that welcome the participation and integration of minorities tend not only to be more stable, but also more prosperous.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Human rights treaty bodies and courts have dealt with a range of cases involving the right to effective participation of minorities and the related prohibition of discrimination. As regards requiring proficiency in an official language, the Human Rights Committee has held that a Government's failure to introduce legislation to permit the use of other languages disproportionately affected certain minority communities, since it denied them the use of their mother tongue in administration, justice, education, public life and Government, thus constituting a violation of article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee concluded that the State was under an obligation to provide the community with an effective remedy, namely by allowing its officials to respond in languages other than the official one in a non-discriminatory manner. In another case, barring a member of a minority from standing in local elections on the grounds that her proficiency in the official language was not adequate, when such an assessment was conducted in a deficient and arbitrary way and when in fact the person already held a language certificate, was deemed by the Committee to be a violation of articles 2 and 25 of the Covenant. On the same issue of barring a member of a minority from standing in elections because of allegedly inadequate proficiency in the official language, the European Court of Human Rights has found that this can constitute a violation of article 3 of Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention. In the particular case, the Court held that it had grave doubts as to the legal basis for subjecting candidates holding language certificates to further tests. The Court also considered that the testing lacked objectivity and procedural fairness.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- A continuing and substantive dialogue is required in order to ensure the effective participation of women and men belonging to minorities in their society. This dialogue should be multidirectional: it must involve persons belonging to minorities as well as majority populations, and it also must be between persons belonging to minorities and the authorities. Such dialogue can be achieved only if effective channels of communication are in place. Such channels must take into account the specific needs of minority women, as well as other marginalized segments of minority communities exposed to intersectional discrimination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- A central issue in relation to the political participation of minorities is how to determine that the quality of participation is truly "effective". When considering whether participation of persons belonging to minorities is effective, two of the most important aspects of participation must be examined. The first relates to the means which promote full and effective equality of persons belonging to minorities. The second assesses the impact of these means on the situation of the persons concerned and on the society as a whole. This impact may be viewed differently by different actors, depending on their engagement in the processes. It is not sufficient for States to ensure formal participation of persons belonging to minorities; States must also ensure that the participation of minority representatives has a substantial influence on decisions which are taken, so that there is, as far as possible, a shared ownership of the decisions taken.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- Mere political participation, therefore, is not sufficient to constitute "effective" participation, and a number of considerations arise in this regard. One relates to the legitimacy of minority political representatives. It must be kept in mind that minority communities are heterogeneous and this diversity must be reflected in pluralist representation. Moreover, the political representatives can alienate themselves from their core constituencies, thus failing to fulfil the function of being genuine and effective spokespersons. And if minority representatives are not empowered to make substantial and influential decisions on issues of relevance for their communities, their participation will be tantamount to tokenism and not "effective participation".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Discrimination which inhibits the political participation of minorities may manifest itself in, among others: a type of electoral system which negatively affects minority representation; political parties which are adverse to minority issues and minority membership; widespread prejudice among the electorate which punishes parties willing to include minority candidates or voice minority issues; media which are hostile to minority concerns and participation. Given the centrality of the issue of discrimination to the right to effective participation, Governments should consider instituting independent monitoring and individual complaints mechanisms, such as the ombudsperson's function adopted in a number of countries.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- The thematic focus of the present report is the role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention. The independent expert considers that among the essential elements of a strategy to prevent conflicts involving minorities are: respect for minority rights; dialogue between minorities and majorities within societies; and the constructive development of practices and institutional arrangements to accommodate diversity within society. Attention to minority rights violations at an early stage before they 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.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- The history of the development of minority rights at the United Nations has been closely linked to the need to address tensions between minorities and the State, and between population groups. The 1992 Declaration on Minorities states in its preamble that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to such minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live. The drafting of the Declaration began in 1978, and received added impetus with the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The importance attached to the Declaration was summed up by the representative of Austria, who, speaking before the Third Committee, observed that it should not be filed and forgotten, but implemented and filled with life, so as to contribute to overcoming situations of tension relating to minorities (see A/C.3/47/SR.47, para. 89).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- Minorities are often the targets, rather than the perpetrators, of violence. When minority rights are violated, members of minorities may be at a greater risk of being subjected to systematic violence, even when they are bystanders to a conflict involving other parties. Such incidents can happen as a result of minorities' poverty and exclusion from political decision-making processes, or because their often remote communities, poorly served by State infrastructure, can become targets for occupation for strategic purposes or for exploitation of natural resources. Furthermore, owing to the suspicion and prejudice with which they are often viewed by both members of the majority and security forces, minorities may be targeted with impunity.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- The views of the independent expert have been developed through visits to countries in almost every region of the world, thematic reports and policy debates that she has facilitated at the Forum on Minority Issues. She has consulted widely with Governments, experts and non-governmental organizations. She has participated in seminars and forums in the field of early warning and conflict prevention. In addition, she has held consultations with numerous key actors, including the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, including discussions relating to, inter alia, how efforts could be coordinated to identify potential threats to the existence of minorities and how to better coordinate conflict prevention work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- In his landmark report to the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations in 2000, the Secretary-General stated that in many countries at war, the condition of poverty was coupled with sharp ethnic or religious cleavages, and that almost invariably, the rights of subordinate groups were insufficiently respected, the institutions of Government were insufficiently inclusive and the allocation of society's resources favoured the dominant faction over others. He added that the solution was clear: to promote human rights, to protect minority rights and to institute political arrangements in which all groups were represented, and that every group needed to become convinced that the State belonged to all people (A/54/2000, paras. 202-203).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- In the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1, chap. I), the outcome document of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, the participating States expressed their concern that socio-economic development was being hampered by widespread internal conflicts which were due, among other causes, to gross violations of human rights, including those arising from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and from lack of democratic, inclusive and participatory governance. It urged States to recognize that techniques, mechanisms, policies and programmes for reconciling conflicts based on factors related to race, colour, descent, language, religion, or national or ethnic origin and for developing harmonious multiracial and multicultural societies needed to be systematically considered and developed (ibid., paras. 21 and 171).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- In 1994, States members of the Organization of African Unity reaffirmed their deep conviction that friendly relations among their peoples as well as peace, justice, stability and democracy, called for the protection of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of all their people including national minorities and the creation of conditions conducive to the promotion of that identity. In the Americas, the Inter-American Democratic Charter stresses that the elimination of discrimination and respect for cultural diversity contribute to strengthening democracy and citizen participation, which in turn are necessary for ensuring peace, stability and development. In the Copenhagen Document of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the participating States reaffirmed that respect for the rights of persons belonging to national minorities as part of universally recognized human rights was an essential factor for peace, justice, stability and democracy in the participating States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- The Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity at Oxford University has undertaken detailed quantitative and qualitative research into conflict and horizontal inequalities (inequalities between ethnic, religious or linguistic communities) in 8 countries in three regions, and statistical desk research in 55 countries. The Centre concluded that in the top 5 per cent of countries with the greatest socio-economic inequalities, the risk of conflict is tripled when compared with the average. The risk of conflict increases again if socio-economic inequalities are combined with inequality in access to political decision-making, and inequality in cultural status adds a further risk factor.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- The Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict concluded that time and again in the twentieth century, attempts at suppression of ethnic, cultural or religious differences had led to bloodshed, and in case after case, the accommodation of diversity within appropriate constitutional forms had helped to prevent bloodshed. The Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has conducted research showing that the likelihood of conflict increases with rising group inequality. The Minorities at Risk Project at the University of Maryland monitors indicators for political discrimination, cultural and economic exclusion and persecution on 283 minority groups around the world, and has found a significant link between conflict and those forms of denial of rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Minority rights violations are often among the root causes of conflicts that have long gestation periods, root causes grounded in grievances that may bubble under the surface for years, or even decades, before violent conflict breaks out. Incorporating minority rights indicators into early warning systems would enable an earlier identification of potential conflicts. Other more technical early warning indicators, such as small arms flows and movements of displaced peoples, tend to reflect a situation that is already rapidly spiraling into violence. By the time those indicators trigger attention, grievances may have festered for decades, perhaps generations - generations of lost opportunities to heal rifts, avert conflict and build a cohesive society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- Clearly it is necessary to combine monitoring of patterns of economic and political exclusion, for example, with an analysis of the political and social context, allowing for an identification of the risk of escalation that is as accurate as possible. Better insight is needed into why certain situations of systematic exclusion escalate from chronic grievances to violent conflict. It may be due to numerous factors, such as the building up of pressure over time to intolerable levels; regime change (many studies have found a link between political transitions and increased incidence of conflict); or a specific, highly symbolic trigger, perhaps linked to an affront to a community's identity such as the denial of status to a minority language.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Conflict prevention is not the sole positive outcome of respect for minority rights. Societies flourish when all voices are heard, when all opinions are considered; when all citizens participate; and when the talent that exists in all communities is enabled to contribute to political institutions. Inclusion is good for societies as a whole, not just for those previously left out. Consequently, creating the conditions for the effective participation of minorities should be considered by States as an integral aspect of good governance and a key priority in their efforts to ensure equality and non-discrimination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Minorities are too often seen as a threat to the State and/or national unity. Governments may hold the erroneous views that national unity is fragile or that new States can be achieved only through the denial or disregard of distinctive aspects of the identity of minorities; that demands by minorities for an equal voice in policymaking will dissipate central authority; that respect for minority languages produces cleavages between ethnic groups or translates into prohibitive government expenditures; or that culturally defined production methods have no place in a modern economy. In such situations Governments may become nervous when ethnic, religious or linguistic groups attempt to assert their identity. There may be an assumption that what those groups want is to separate themselves from the State. However, many conflicts involving minorities start as peaceful demands to be included in the society on the basis of equal treatment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- Many States are engaged in ongoing efforts to accommodate the interests of diverse communities. It is critical that the process be guided by the principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination. Communities that may be more populous, that have greater disruptive capacities or military strength or that may be more successful in commerce may emerge at an early stage as the principle contenders for distribution of political power and State resources. However, under such conditions, minority rights must be prioritized, enabling members of all minority groups to participate effectively in decisions affecting them and in all aspects of society. Efforts must be made to give voice to the diversity of members within minority communities, including women, youth and the elderly.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- The effective and meaningful participation of minorities in the political arena can be a pivotal element in avoiding violent conflict. While members of minorities have the right to participate in decision-making processes, particularly those that affect them, minorities are greatly underrepresented in the political processes and governing institutions of most countries for a variety of reasons. They may be intentionally restricted from participation or inadvertently disadvantaged by laws or policies, or there may be a lack of political will to dismantle structural barriers to the full and equal participation of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- States have significant leeway to decide, in consultation with minority communities, the modalities by which political participation can be achieved. Those measures may include the devolution of certain powers by means of a federal or autonomy arrangement; electoral systems based on proportional representation; a system of reserved seats for minorities in parliament; or the facilitated participation in the electoral process of political parties representing the interests of minorities. Most importantly, the modality for political inclusion must afford minorities genuine influence. Tokenism or State interference in the process of identifying political representatives, for example, may lead to deeper frustrations. Further, full respect for freedoms of expression and assembly is critical.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- The most appropriate system will depend on the specificities of the situation, including how populous the communities are, whether they are geographically dispersed or concentrated, the aspirations of the minority groups and how well integrated they are into the broader society. The flexibility of the minority rights framework makes it well suited to the compromises necessary in processes of negotiating solutions, diffusing tensions and avoiding violent conflicts. In November 2009, the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues focused on the issue of minorities and effective political participation and produced a set of practical recommendations for States and other actors (A/HRC/13/25, para. 5).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- Respecting the right of minorities to political participation at times of peace contributes to harmonious societies and opens non-violent avenues for the grievances of minorities to be addressed. When violent conflict does occur in diverse societies, applying a minority rights-based approach to consultations regarding peace agreements will require that all communities affected by the conflict, including those that are not active parties to it, be able to participate in the settlement process. That approach should counteract a tendency common in many conflict situations, whereby Governments, and the international community, focus predominately on addressing the demands of communities that are linked to armed movements, which may result in peace agreements that guarantee rights for some communities at the expense of others.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- At the core of minority rights are the protection and preservation of culturally distinctive identities within societies. The denigration or suppression of the defining identity of a person or group can be a powerful factor in generating conflict. Repressive measures to control or restrict religious or traditional practices or force assimilation can galvanize opposition and create a common platform around which targeted communities can rally. Language, in particular, is a potent vehicle of culture. The imposition on minority communities of a majority language, either through teaching in public schools or formal prohibitions on the use of minority languages, has been a spark that has ignited many violent clashes in every region.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion is a cause, a manifestation and a consequence of discrimination against minorities, both in the developed and in the developing world. Minorities are often discriminated against when they seek employment and are often poorly represented even in public sector employment and despite legislation that bans discrimination in both public and private sectors. They may face barriers in accessing credit or loans to begin small businesses and may live in the poorest regions or remote areas that offer limited prospects for their economic development. Equally, large-scale economic development projects or commercial activities carried out on the lands and territories where minorities live, without their prior consultation, have had negative impacts, including displacement, the perpetuation of poverty and, in some cases, violence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- Several factors and challenges can exacerbate this exclusion of minorities, including deteriorating economic conditions, ethnic tensions and rising discrimination. In some countries, unequal regional distribution of resources and services as well as lack of basic infrastructure in regions where minorities live often have the effect of excluding them from fully exercising their economic and social rights. The past decade has also brought into the picture new and unanticipated challenges, including the global food and economic crises that have been proven to have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups and minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Consequently, the rights of minorities to participate effectively in economic life must be fully taken into account by Governments seeking to promote equality at every level. From implementing non-discrimination in employment to enforcing corporate responsibility principles and developing national economic development and international development assistance schemes, Governments face the constant challenge of ensuring that the rights of minorities are protected and that they benefit as equal stakeholders in society. In their response to the current global crisis, development agencies, financial institutions and other actors involved in international cooperation also face the challenge of ensuring that measures taken do not negatively impact minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- In countries where political power is seen to be concentrated in the hands of one or a few identity groups, it is common for those groups to be disproportionately represented in the public service, which can be a powerful source of tension. The adequate representation of minorities at all levels and in all branches of the criminal justice system, for example, can have particularly important implications for relations between disadvantaged communities and the Government. Negative encounters with police or security forces at the local level shape minority perceptions of their treatment and acceptance by the State.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion and denial of access to quality education bring about a sense of despair, destroy hopes of upward mobility and are often a central grievance and a source of tensions. International standards on non-discrimination place an obligation on States to institute affirmative action policies to correct historical patterns of exclusion and enable members of minorities to achieve equality. Many States have recognized the corrosive nature of inequalities and have implemented such measures. Affirmative action programmes can, however, be a point of contention for majority communities, in particular when poorer members of majority communities perceive that they are losing out. It is important that Governments exercise leadership in educating the larger public, demonstrating that such programmes are based on the principles of justice and equal opportunity and result in fairer and more stable society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- A frequent source of conflict worldwide is discrimination and inequality in relation to land and property. For minority communities, often located in remote rural areas, the land and territories on which they live are a source of food security and income generation as well as being vital to the preservation of minority cultures, traditions and collective identity. However, some minorities find that their rights to own, occupy and use land are limited or violated and they may find themselves displaced or evicted, in some cases to make way for national economic development schemes, the activities of multinational corporations or for natural resources development. Land and property issues should consequently be given close attention in respect of conflict prevention.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- Programmes to promote development implemented by Governments and external donors often fail to take into account the inequalities between communities, the unique circumstances of minorities or the possible need for special measures to ensure that minority communities also benefit. Minorities may be adversely affected through displacement by large-scale projects such as dams and natural resource extraction, or as a result of the negative environmental impact. As noted in the 2007 annual report of the independent expert, conflict prevention is one reason why monitoring poverty alleviation among minorities is crucial: if strategies are successful for some groups but not for minorities, inequalities will increase and so too may tension. Inclusive participation strategies for poverty reduction are proven and effective conflict prevention measures (see A/HRC/4/9, para. 43).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- According to a statistical assessment carried out by Minority Rights Group International, over 55 per cent of violent conflicts of a significant intensity between 2007 and 2009 had at their core violations of minority rights or tensions between communities. In a further 22 per cent of conflicts, minority issues had emerged or receded in the course of the evolution of the conflict. Those figures indicate that Governments, donors and intergovernmental organizations need to allocate significant attention and resources to minority issues as sources of conflict. However, the current picture in this regard is mixed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- The tragic events in Rwanda and in the former Yugoslavia gave new impetus to efforts by the United Nations to protect minorities - described by the Secretary-General as "genocide's most frequent targets". In 2004, the Secretary-General established the mandate of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. The principal objective of the Special Adviser is to advise the Secretary-General and the Security Council on actions to protect vulnerable populations from genocide. The Office of the Special Adviser attempts to identify a range of potential threats to minority populations at an early stage and make recommendations regarding constructive management of cultural diversity issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- An analysis framework is used by the Special Adviser's office to identify threats to minority communities at an early stage. In addition to genocide-specific indicators, such as the demonization of minority communities and a history of genocide in the country, it includes indicators of broader significance to minorities, such as conflicts over land, power, security and expressions of group identity, such as language, religion and culture, and attacks on cultural and religious property and symbols. The Special Adviser's office is privy to an enormous flow of information generated by sources inside and external to the United Nations system. The Special Adviser's gauge for sifting through that information flow is calibrated for precursors to genocide: a focus that is limited, fortunately, to a small number of situations. There is a need for additional tools that focus on chronic abuses of minority rights at the earliest stages, to identify situations needing more upstream preventive action.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- In the 2005 World Summit Outcome, States Members of the United Nations conceptualized a principle that is of prime importance to the protection of minorities: the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity - "the responsibility to protect". This concept recognizes the duty of the international community to intervene to protect populations when their own Governments cannot or lack the will to do so. It prioritizes above all the use of appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, before legitimate force is contemplated. The focus of the institutional mechanisms that are being developed to implement the concept of the responsibility to protect will be limited to specific crimes. A broader focus on minority rights protections as a tool for protection from conflict will need to be the task of other mechanisms.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Several United Nations offices and agencies have information assessment, early warning and conflict prevention functions. The Department of Political Affairs is the lead agency for conflict prevention and peacemaking. Within the Department, the standby team of mediation experts, an innovative unit established in March 2008, plays an important role. The team is on call to provide expertise on specific issues to United Nations initiatives to mediate in situations of conflict or potential conflict. This team has provided support and advice to peacemaking and dialogue efforts in several situations involving minorities, including Darfur, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines. The Department has a focal point on indigenous peoples, but not one on minorities. The standby team also does not include a professional with comprehensive expertise on minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- The Inter-Agency Framework for Coordination on Preventative Action (Framework team) is an informal forum for inter-agency exchange of information and collaboration involving 21 different United Nations entities (A/64/864, paras. 7-13). The Framework team is a mechanism that shares information on potential crises and works together to support the development of inter-agency conflict prevention initiatives. As such it is a key part of the United Nations conflict prevention architecture. The Framework team is designed to support the United Nations country team in countries that show early signs that a situation, whether at the regional, national or sub-national level, is likely to lead to violence. The programme initiatives are designed to address the issues at the early upstream stage in the conflict cycle, so that the situation does not escalate.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Good practice exists at the policy level and in field operations of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. UNDP operates an early warning system in some of its in-country programmes, often using sophisticated computer mapping, which is designed to map specific local conditions, such as movements of security forces and displaced peoples, presence of weapons, and availability of basic services. A process of broad consultations with local communities is frequently incorporated. UNDP has developed a capacity to identify the root causes of conflicts, notably through deployment of peace and development advisers to country teams who help in conducting conflict analyses. Experience has shown that context-specific systems that mix qualitative and quantitative indicators and political analysis are effective, if highly resource intensive.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- UNICEF both generates and monitors country-specific data that may reveal situations of emerging conflict. Its activities focusing on the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children position it uniquely to play an early prevention role with respect to minority rights. Given that minority children are often the most disadvantaged, there is a sound basis for the engagement of UNICEF in minority issues. With a wide network of offices worldwide, UNICEF is in an important position to encourage the introduction of minority issues on Government public policy agendas, to support Government efforts and directly deliver assistance to minority children and women. The UNICEF field presence is common in conflict zones, and its focus on protection issues makes it an institution with key relevance to conflict prevention. At UNICEF headquarters, there is a cluster of professionals whose portfolios include minority rights issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- The special procedures of the Human Rights Council, including the independent expert on minority issues, and the treaty monitoring bodies are well placed to identify the warning signs of impending conflicts, including those affecting minorities. In October 2009, a United Nations round table on special procedures entitled "Early Warning and Emerging Issues" was held in New York. Participants emphasized the contribution that these mechanisms can make to a better understanding of complex situations, for example involving systemic exclusion and discrimination of certain minority groups. Participants recommended strengthening the capacity of the special procedures to contribute to early warning, including by ensuring that their recommendations were communicated more effectively to the United Nations field presences, and ensuring that data revealing patterns of severe abuses were communicated as early warnings.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- OSCE has established a specific mechanism to address conflicts involving minorities, the High Commissioner on National Minorities. The High Commissioner acts as an early warning and early action mechanism, primarily through the use of preventive diplomacy. The High Commissioner can visit countries, engage with representatives of all sides, and propose constructive solutions based on a broad knowledge of approaches worldwide. The High Commissioner has developed a number of guidelines to help national and international actors to address issues that have a potential to cause conflict, including education, language rights, political participation and the involvement of "kin States" (States whose majority community is ethnically related to a minority in a neighbouring State).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Substantial steps have been taken over recent years to reposition international engagement with conflict situations from the point of reaction to a point of identification of early warnings. There is mounting evidence that one of the earliest indicators of potential violence is the chronic disregard of minority rights. Early warning systems must have the necessary expertise to be alert to such indicators. While there is already a substantial flow of information to early warning mechanisms within the United Nations system, a focus on minority rights should be strengthened.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- Despite some excellent practices in the field, there is no mechanism for or consistent practice of ensuring that minority issues are mainstreamed across the in-country work of entities in the United Nations system, in accordance with article 9 of the 1992 Declaration on Minorities, even in countries where those issues are at the core of local conflicts. At the Headquarters level, in the Department of Political Affairs and in the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, know-how on minority rights could be enhanced to facilitate the development of policies and practices sensitive to minorities. Appropriate training programmes and resources are required for staff throughout the United Nations system, to assist in the early identification by decision makers at the highest level of tensions involving minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- States should involve members of all minority groups in conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 5
- Paragraph text
- 2012 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. In March 2012, the Secretary-General's Policy Committee stressed that the twentieth anniversary should be used to raise awareness and promote implementation of the Declaration and endorsed the establishment of the United Nations Network on Racial Discrimination and Minorities to give strengthened attention to minority issues within the United Nations system. In many countries, examples of constructive approaches, national legislation and institutional attention exist for the implementation of minority rights, equality and the accommodation of diverse groups within society which could be replicated. However, in all regions significant challenges remain for minority communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 6
- Paragraph text
- Disadvantaged minorities are often the poorest communities and face marginalization and discrimination in respect of their participation in economic life. They are underrepresented in political life and decision-making bodies and lack opportunities to raise their issues at all levels. Certain minority communities experience denial or deprivation of citizenship, with implications for enjoyment of their rights. They often experience poor educational access and outcomes and exclusion from labour markets. Disadvantaged minorities often live in the lowest-quality housing, and in remote or undeveloped regions, and their health statistics are poor relative to other population groups. They often face barriers to achieving access to justice and in some countries face the threat of violence and disproportionate impacts of conflict.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 7
- Paragraph text
- Factors including lack of recognition of minorities, discrimination, exclusion and lack of knowledge and awareness of minority issues result in inadequate inclusion of minority issues by national institutions, both governmental and independent, within their work and priorities. Human rights and socioeconomic development policies frequently do not fully take account of their unique circumstances, their rights and their needs and consequently fail to benefit minorities. However, in many States that recognize challenges involving minorities and the need for targeted and mainstream solutions, institutional arrangements have been established incorporating expertise on minority issues which initiate, implement and monitor efforts to promote and protect minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Different approaches to minority rights protection exist based on national circumstances and factors including historical, cultural and religious background and political systems. Some States provide territorial, political or cultural autonomy which facilitates minority participation in regional or local institutions and establish forms of local or minority self-government. Many States officially recognize minorities, adopt constitutional and legislative provisions, and acknowledge that special attention may be required to ensure the enjoyment of their rights in equality with others. Recognition of the existence of minorities remains a precondition for positive national measures and institutional arrangements for promoting minority rights effectively.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires that "(i)n those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language". The Declaration further elaborates the rights of minorities and the obligations upon States. Numerous provisions within the Declaration require positive measures in legislation, policy and programming to ensure the full and effective participation of minorities in public life. Their implementation may best be achieved through a national policy and institutional framework incorporating targeted attention to minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 10
- Paragraph text
- Article 1 (1) of the Declaration requires that "States shall protect the existence and the national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and shall encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity". Article 1 (2) requires that "States shall adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to achieve those ends". Article 2 (3) requires that minorities have the right to participate effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live. Article 4 (2) requires that "States shall take measures to create favourable conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs". Article 5 (1) establishes that "(N)ational policies and programmes shall be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in its general recommendation No. XVII on the establishment of national institutions to facilitate implementation of the Convention (see A/48/18, chap. VIII.B), recommends that States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination "establish national commissions or other appropriate bodies … to serve, inter alia … (a) to promote respect for the enjoyment of human rights without any discrimination; … (b) to review government policy towards protection against racial discrimination; (c) to monitor legislative compliance with the provisions of the Convention; (d) to educate the public about the obligations of States under the Convention; (e) to assist in the preparation of reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- In its general recommendation No. XXIX on article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention (descent), relating to groups including caste-affected communities (see A/57/18, chap. XI.F), the Committee requests States to "(E)stablish statutory mechanisms, through the strengthening of existing institutions or the creation of specialized institutions, to promote respect for the equal human rights of members of descent-based communities". In its general recommendation No. XXVII on discrimination against Roma (see A/55/18, annex V.C), the Committee recommends numerous positive measures including the review and amendment of legislation, adoption and implementation of national strategies and programmes, establishment of effective remedies, and measures to ensure consultation, dialogue and participation of Roma. Their scope implies coordinated, proactive attention to Roma populations by appropriate institutions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- Institutional attention to minority issues may result in positive measures targeted at minorities. In its general recommendation No. 32 on the meaning and scope of special measures in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/GC/32), the Committee, citing general recommendation No. XIV, states that "differentiation of treatment will not constitute discrimination if the criteria for such differentiation, judged against the objectives and purposes of the Convention, are legitimate". According to general recommendation No. 32: The term "non-discrimination" does not signify the necessity of uniform treatment when there are significant differences in situation between one person or group and another, or, in other words, if there is an objective and reasonable justification for differential treatment. To treat in an equal manner persons or groups whose situations are objectively different will constitute discrimination in effect, as will the unequal treatment of persons whose situations are objectively the same. However, positive measures should be justified, timed and monitored.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- Ensuring enjoyment of minority rights and equality in practice requires an understanding and appreciation of minority issues and problems facing minorities. Institutionalizing expertise on minority issues allows Governments and independent bodies to identify problems and their causes and to develop sustainable solutions that fulfil the rights of minorities and comply with State obligations. While non discrimination measures are an essential tool, minority rights protection requires measures that go beyond non-discrimination. Dedicated institutional attention provides necessary impetus for proactive implementation of minority rights, including positive measures, consultative and participatory mechanisms and processes, and activities directed towards disadvantaged minorities, which are often lacking.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- In States in which minority populations are significant, where inter-community relations are complex, where long-term challenges persist, or where ethnic or religious tensions or conflict exist or have previously occurred, institutional attention may be particularly appropriate. In the European context, for example, it is acknowledged that the Roma require dedicated national attention so as to promote their inclusion in all fields of life, address disproportionate poverty and improve living conditions and health indicators. Discrimination and exclusion are key factors contributing to their disadvantaged situation. Solutions must take account not only of their unique circumstances and target community challenges and the impact of discrimination against Roma, but also of the causes and manifestations of discrimination in the wider society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 16
- Paragraph text
- Institutions mandated to address minority issues can increase minority rights awareness among minority communities and the wider society. They are valuable central sources of information on legislation, policies and programmes and acts that foster discrimination. They can provide advisory services on specific concerns, such as education, employment and housing, and facilitate consultations and debates in which minorities participate. A national institutional framework facilitates legislative and policy development and the design, implementation and monitoring of minority-related programmes. Affirmative action measures that address long-standing discrimination and inequality are often necessary and require institutional attention to specific minority issues or groups. Institutions can conduct studies and social surveys and gather and analyse disaggregated data so as to justify, implement and monitor such measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- Minority rights institutions frequently have proactive mandates that include: reviewing and proposing domestic standards and providing expertise and information to legislation drafting and policymaking processes; monitoring laws and policies with respect to minority rights and recommending amendments or implementation measures; encouraging and coordinating programming on minority issues and strategies devised to address problems relating to minorities; promotion and education activities; developing good practice guides, information resources and reports; developing campaigns and outreach relating to minority rights; and forming a bridge between minority communities and public administration. Importantly, they should not act in isolation on minority issues but, should rather, actively promote mainstreaming of minority issues and cooperation across all relevant bodies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Specialist bodies have a valuable educative role in developing and delivering teaching and training initiatives, which would include educating the general public through such activities as public debates, engagement with the media on minority issues and conducting campaigns and other awareness-raising initiatives. They may promote minority rights within the framework of human rights education initiatives through the development of curricula and provision of school teaching materials appropriate to diverse classrooms, reflecting ethnic and religious diversity, minority cultures and languages, and the histories and contributions of minorities. Dedicated bodies can provide training to staff of public bodies, including the police and judiciary, so as to enhance institutional awareness of minority rights and equality standards and promote the use of tools, resources and good practices relevant to minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Institutionalized expertise helps Governments to respond appropriately to challenges facing specific minority groups. In many countries, for example, linguistic minorities claim their rights, as established in the Declaration, to adequate opportunities for learning and receiving instruction in their mother tongue. Such rights require specialist knowledge of minority communities and their needs and pedagogic methodologies relevant to language education, including bilingual education models and their application. Institutional attention to the rights and needs of linguistic minorities must be a focus of both national policymaking bodies such as the ministry of education, and in municipal authorities responsible for implementing policy and programmes in practice. Specific minority needs may lead States to consider other policy and institutional options, including establishing and supporting minority schools.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert highlights the need for increased attention to the rights and security of religious minorities and interfaith dialogue, particularly in countries experiencing tensions and violent attacks against religious minorities. Anti-religious extremism and hate speech encourage discrimination and violence and increase the urgency for human rights mechanisms that address the issues of religious minorities. The Human Rights Council universal periodic review has produced nearly 400 recommendations concerning religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities. Establishing institutional mechanisms to promote interfaith dialogue helps build bridges between faith groups that may have become increasingly polarized and distrustful. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has stated that "it is becoming imperative for Governments to provide due political, social, economic and cultural space to minorities in their societies, including access to decision-making levels".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- The value of permanent institutionalized participatory and intercultural dialogue mechanisms is emphasized by the Independent Expert. Such mechanisms not only benefit minority communities, but are also essential for eliminating exclusionary practices and changing discriminatory perceptions in respect of minorities, which may exist in wider society and may be institutionalized. Addressing "institutional racism" remains a challenge in many States and requires activities to promote participation and dialogue focused not only on minorities, but on all sectors of society. Coordinated institutional approaches should engage minority institutions and associations, majority communities, and civil society, as key stakeholders and project partners. Institutional measures serve to mainstream minority issues and promote diversity and equality across all areas of public life and institutions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The Forum on Minority Issues at its second session focused on effective political participation. It recognized that it is frequently necessary to adopt positive institutional measures designed to enhance minority participation in decision-making bodies. It recommended parliamentary arrangements, proportional representation and other appropriate electoral systems-related measures that can increase opportunities for minorities to participate. Reserved or shared seats have proved useful in ensuring minority representation in elected bodies. Where minorities are geographically concentrated, forms of devolved power or territorial or political autonomy can facilitate minority participation in regional or local institutions. Political parties are key actors and should adopt measures aimed at engaging minority communities, addressing minority issues and ensuring minority representation. The Forum recommended a specific mechanism or institutional procedure to survey and monitor progress on minority participation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- In 2011, the Forum on Minority Issues highlighted the need for dedicated attention to guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, who face unique challenges and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in such areas as access to education and may be vulnerable to violations, including sexual violence or trafficking. Specialist units, focal points or consultative bodies within ministries or governmental institutions on women's issues can be a means of ensuring that their issues are adequately and appropriately addressed within institutional mandates. This may require specialist or minority staff sensitive to minority issues, and gender and cultural or religious sensitivities relating to women and girls. Along the same lines, the Forum has recommended that national human rights institutions consider specific mechanisms in their secretariats for addressing issues relevant to minority women and girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- Children and young people belonging to minority groups may face unique challenges and vulnerability owing to issues including poverty and discrimination. Institutions whose work centres on children's and youth issues and education should ensure that their mandates and working practices, projects and programme initiatives are relevant and accessible to minorities. Innovative projects can benefit individual children and may provide venues and opportunities for interaction among young people from different communities, particularly when intercultural and integration perspectives are given attention. Governments may consider supporting specialist civil society youth initiatives. Institutions established to support young people, protect them from possible abuse or exploitation, and provide them with information should also ensure that their services reach and are accessible to those from minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- Institutional attention to minority rights can assist in international cooperation and prevent international tensions relating to the treatment of minorities. The existence of minorities in a State may have cross-border implications, in cases where, for example, they have a "kin" State or external religious ties. Minorities have the right to maintain peaceful contacts across frontiers. Owing to historical or geopolitical factors, the treatment of minorities may be sensitive. The Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has produced recommendations on national minorities in inter-State relations. While protection of minorities is primarily the responsibility of the State of residence, States are encouraged to conclude bilateral treaties and arrangements, share information and concerns, pursue interests and ideas, and support minorities on the basis of friendly inter-State relations. States are recommended to use instruments, including advisory and consultative bodies such as minority councils or joint commissions, and establish mediation and arbitration mechanisms.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- Data disaggregated along ethnic and religious lines and sex reveal inequalities and are a vital resource for informing policy and programming on minority issues. Data allow targets and objectives to be established based on identified concerns which may include education access and outcomes, labour-market activity, health and housing and provide justification for targeted programmes. National statistical bodies and other relevant government bodies should be mandated to collect disaggregated data as a good practice and develop internal expertise on minority issues, and utilize data collection and analysis methodologies relevant to ethnicity, religion, language and identity. Most countries hold regular national censuses and relevant questions should be included that adhere to personal data protection standards. Specialist attention would allow appropriate indicators to be identified and utilized to assess the relative situation of minorities and the impact of programmes, as measured against established targets.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- Statistics Canada conducts census and other statistical surveys and includes questions relating to origin, ethnicity, religion and language, thereby allowing comparative analysis of the socioeconomic situation of minorities compared with other population groups. Labour-market activity data revealed disproportionately high unemployment rates among black, Western Asian and Arab communities, for example. An Ethnic Diversity Survey provided insights into how ethnic backgrounds affect participation in social and economic life, a potential resource for programme development. Where Government bodies are not mandated or permitted to collect disaggregated data, independent human rights and equality bodies should play a key role in compiling such information and should develop their own internal expertise.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- Non-governmental organizations are often the most active advocates for minority rights and implement concrete and grass-roots programmes. They provide information, expertise and expert services to national institutions and provide an essential information and communication bridge between national authorities and minority communities. They also fulfil important functions, including provision of social support activities conducted within communities and by trained members of minorities. Academic institutions frequently have specialist knowledge of minority issues and conduct essential research which provides Governments that are seeking to strengthen institutional expertise and design appropriate policy and programme measures, with a valuable resource.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Institutional engagement with non-governmental organizations brings expertise on minority issues and expands the capacity of national bodies through appropriate programme collaborations. National institutions may benefit from the studies, reports and contacts of non-governmental organizations within minority communities and the access and trust that some non-governmental organizations have secured at the community level. Non-governmental organizations and minority associations provide guidance based on their expert knowledge of specific groups and thematic concerns and are essential partners in consultation processes and the delivery of policy and programme initiatives. Further, governmental institutions and national human rights bodies working on minority issues provide a valuable focus for non-governmental organization advocacy initiatives, enabling them to lobby, build relationships and collaborate with national actors wielding policy influence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- Collaborations among civil society groups, ethnic or religious bodies or associations and national or local authorities can provide valuable venues and opportunities for dialogue and understanding between communities and among authorities and minorities. In Marseille, France, "Marseille Hope" is an example of a positive initiative designed to create dialogue and help avert the tensions between faith groups that, once having emerged, can lead to violence. Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim leaders meet regularly with city authorities to share views and maintain positive relations among communities. Founded in 1989 in response to growing urban violence, it promotes inter-community understanding through activities, including interfaith symposiums.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Governments can be important sources of support and funding for non governmental organizations. Even where Governments establish institutional attention to minority issues, they may consider providing institutionalized support to non-governmental organizations and community groups working with and on behalf of minorities, including in the context of specific services and projects. They should also assist in the establishment of, and provide support to, minority media that provide an essential service and information delivery mechanisms for minorities. However, service provision by non-governmental organizations should not be considered a viable substitute for dedicated Government attention to minority issues and Government-led provision of essential services and allocation of financial resources necessary to improve the living conditions and protect the rights of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Expert national institutions can assist Governments in fulfilling international commitments, including reporting to United Nations treaty bodies, such as the Human Rights Committee, on minority rights under article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. States receive minority-related recommendations based on their consideration by treaty bodies, the universal periodic review, special procedures mandate holders and regional monitoring bodies. Specialist institutions can lead efforts to implement recommendations nationally. They also provide a valuable focal point through which guidance, tools and technical cooperation initiatives relating to minority rights may be channelled to the national level. Independent national human rights institutions frequently provide critical analysis of government policy and practice and make recommendations based on their minority rights expertise, including to the United Nations system and regional bodies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- Institutional attention to minority issues can be key to achieving anti-racism objectives and in designing and implementing national strategies that ensure consultation with and participation of minorities from planning to evaluation. The 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance urged Governments to develop national action plans against racism and create "conditions for all to participate effectively in decision-making and realize civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights in all spheres of life on the basis of non-discrimination" (para. 99 of the Durban Programme of Action). Action plans provide motivation for activities across institutions and are an important engine for mobilizing attention to equality and minority rights. Their implementation is characterized by mainstreaming initiatives in which numerous bodies work together to achieve common goals. The challenges in planning and management across institutions require institutional leadership so as to ensure that all actors fulfil their responsibilities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- Specialist bodies or dedicated departments are beneficial to meeting group-specific goals. In 2011, member States of the European Union (EU) adopted a Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, recognizing it as a major step towards achieving a more socially cohesive Europe. Member States agreed to prepare, update or develop by the end of 2011, national Roma inclusion strategies, or integrated sets of policy measures within their broader social inclusion policies for improving the situation of Roma. They reaffirmed that national efforts should focus on priority areas of education, employment, health care and housing so as to close the gaps between Roma and the general population. States agreed to appoint a national contact point or use an already existing body to ensure effective monitoring of Roma inclusion strategies and measures and foster the exchange of good practices.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- National and international actors responsible for developing policy and programmes to achieve the Millennium Development Goals should consider providing dedicated attention to the situation of minorities and projects targeted towards them. In the field of development, poverty alleviation and national strategies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the mandate of the Independent Expert has highlighted the need for attention to minorities within national action plans and strategies to ensure that disadvantaged minorities are not left behind or fail to benefit from Millennium Development Goal strategies owing to discrimination, exclusion or neglect. A survey of Millennium Development Goal country reports and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers highlighted the low level of attention to minorities even in countries with large and impoverished minority communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Regional intergovernmental bodies can promote national attention to minority issues. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights can be interpreted as containing provisions for protection of minorities; however, in African States attention to minority issues is relatively weak. The African Commission has a Working Group on Indigenous Populations and is encouraged to consider creating a similar body to promote national attention to minorities. The Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is drafting a human rights declaration; and the Organization of American States has a working group to prepare a draft inter-American convention against racism and all forms of discrimination and intolerance. Inclusion of strong minority rights provisions in such regional standards could promote and require national attention to minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- The prevention of mass atrocities, intergroup tensions and conflict, including when owing to violations of minority rights, is an important impetus for institutionalizing attention to minority issues, particularly where tensions or conflict exists or has previously occurred. The former Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, remarked that "[W]e must protect especially the rights of minorities, since they are genocide's most frequent targets". The General Assembly in the preamble to the Declaration considered "that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to … minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live". This statement was echoed by Heads of State and Government in paragraph 130 of the 2005 World Summit Outcome, where they also committed themselves to the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes and ethnic cleansing (paras. 138 and 139), the importance of which is emphasized by the Independent Expert in relation to minorities at risk.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Institutionalizing expertise in minority rights before tensions arise enhances the potential to identify problems early and implement effective prevention measures. Under her mandate, the Independent Expert has noted that among the essential elements of strategies to prevent conflicts involving minorities are: respect for minority rights; dialogue between minorities and majorities; and the constructive development of practices and institutional arrangements to accommodate diversity. In the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 8 September 2001 States were urged to recognize that techniques, mechanisms, policies and programmes for reconciling conflicts based on factors related to race, colour, descent, language, religion, or national or ethnic origin and for developing harmonious multiracial and multicultural societies needed to be systematically considered and developed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- National institutions with minority rights expertise can facilitate arbitration, dialogue, national debate and activities to prevent and find solutions to ethnic or religion-based tensions. Independent bodies are particularly important when a minority group considers the Government to be the cause of its grievances or to be unresponsive to them, or in situations where an independent intermediary is needed to overcome lack of trust between conflicting groups. Under her mandate, the Independent Expert has noted that sustainable peace is highly dependent on the participation of all population groups in peace negotiations and resulting State institutional arrangements.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- The National Cohesion and Integration Commission of Kenya was created in 2008, following ethnically based election violence, to "facilitate and promote equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful coexistence between persons of different ethnic and racial backgrounds". It advises the Government, and its activities address discrimination on ethnic grounds and seek to promote respect for religious, cultural and linguistic diversity. The Ethnic Relations Commission of Guyana was created following ethnic violence between Indian and Afro-Guyanese communities to monitor and improve ethnic relations and observe political activities. It held cross-country, multi-stakeholder forums prior to 2006 elections, recognizing that elections had become an ethnic and political flashpoint.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- Where minorities face violence, the presence of local independent human rights bodies can be a deterrent and important monitoring mechanism. The Office of the Ombudsman of Colombia has a Division for Ethnic Minorities and undertakes activities to protect minority Afro-Colombian leaders and communities at risk or violence from illegal armed forces. Local representatives (defensores comunitarios) work in sensitive minority areas where the presence of State authorities is weak. They have developed the trust of communities and operate an early warning and risk assessment system (Sistema de Alerta Temprana) under which credible threats are identified and alerts are assessed by security forces and civil institutions, often resulting in protection measures. The present Government has continued the policy of institutional attention to Afro-Colombian issues implemented by previous administrations in creating a Presidential Programme for Afro-Colombian Issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- Developing internal minority rights expertise within such national institutions as the police and judiciary constitutes a positive practice, allowing such key protection and justice bodies to engage and consult more effectively with minority communities, ensure protection measures and respond appropriately to their issues, including incidents of violence. In the eleventh preambular paragraph of its resolution 66/144 of 22 March 2012, the General Assembly recognized that individuals belonging to vulnerable groups including minorities are the main victims of violence and of attacks perpetrated or incited by extremist political parties, movements and groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Minorities are often poorly represented in institutions, including human rights bodies and ministries working on central concerns of minorities. Improving minority representation and participation is a vital component of improving the quality of institutional attention to minority rights. As previously noted, political participation is both a right of minorities and essential to their achieving wider inclusion and participation in decision-making at the national and local levels; and consequently, Governments should both monitor the participation of minorities and implement mechanisms and institutional arrangements that ensure their representation in political and decision-making bodies at local and national levels.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- A 2009 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) global survey of national human rights institutions revealed that minorities are poorly represented, with less than half rating their governing body as diverse. It also revealed that minorities are poorly represented as staff at all levels. Minority women are often particularly poorly represented and concrete measures should be taken, including outreach and training initiatives targeted at minorities and specifically at minority women. National institutions should lead by example and ensure that their staff and members fully and publicly reflect the diversity within society. They should be transparent and accountable in their processes to appoint senior representatives. Problems of legitimacy and community trust can result when appointments are considered to have been political or tokenistic and not to have involved minority communities or to have reflected their preferences.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- Minority staff, including senior representatives and staff at all levels, bring crucial experience, expertise and community contacts and can significantly enhance institutional awareness and capacity on minority issues. They can raise attention to minority issues that may have been neglected, perhaps owing to lack of engagement with minority communities or knowledge of minority situations. They bring insight regarding how to interact with communities and address sensitive cultural or religious concerns, and can articulate the views and perspectives of minorities who would otherwise lack a voice. Minorities may be employed in specialist roles or sections; however, they should not be confined to such roles.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Minorities are often underrepresented in the civil service, police and judiciary owing to barriers including institutional racism, discriminatory recruitment practices, poor educational attainment, and psychosocial factors inhibiting them from seeking employment. Measures including targeted recruitment initiatives should be adopted and promoted in the public and private sectors. Minorities should be represented in oversight and regulatory bodies, for example, those relating to the police service. They can have important advisory roles relating to recruitment and policing practices and should be represented in complaints-handling bodies. Representation of minorities in national media and media regulatory and monitoring bodies helps to ensure appropriate treatment of minority issues by and in the media, which can portray minorities in discriminatory, negative or stereotypic ways.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Disadvantaged minorities are often poorly placed with respect to accessing information and services. Poverty, socioeconomic disadvantages, remote localities, and education or language barriers are obstacles to obtaining services and engaging institutions. Some may have negative experiences of interactions with institutions which may not have met their expectations or addressed their concerns. Institutions should establish channels and processes of communication and consultation with minorities and build trust with minority communities. Efforts to raise awareness of the institution and services should target minorities and include advertising in and through minority media and in minority localities. Publications, information and services should be available in minority languages, including through dedicated websites.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- Minority issues frequently exist in local or regional contexts. Local or sub offices of human rights bodies can develop strong knowledge of localized minority rights issues, monitor evolving situations and build relationships with communities and authorities, and they are well placed to respond effectively to minority issues. Minority communities are more likely to engage with bodies in their localities, particularly those employing staff from minority communities who speak minority languages and maintain community contacts. Local offices assist in the mapping of minority communities and issues and help to ensure that local issues and concerns are reflected in regional- or national-level decision- and policymaking. Further, they can ensure that national policy and programmes reach and benefit minorities in remote regions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- The 2009 survey of national human rights institutions by the Office of the High Commissioner revealed that less than half of respondents described their relationship with marginalized groups as strong. In terms of online accessibility for minority groups, only 8 respondent institutions out of 61 indicated that their website was available in all minority languages. The large majority of respondents did not provide data relating to the proportion of complaints received from minorities or indigenous peoples, indicating that they did not gather disaggregated data relating to the use of services and lacked dedicated attention to such groups. Institutions should develop inclusive and participatory methodologies to ensure consultation with and participation of minorities in all relevant aspects of their work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Some concerns have been expressed that the establishment of dedicated institutions for minority-related issues or particular groups can be a means of, or result in, sidelining minority issues into parallel, inferior or poorly funded bodies rather than dealing with those issues within appropriate mainstream institutions and processes. Where dedicated institutions or bodies are created, financial resources must be sufficient to enable them to conduct the full range of mandated activities; and separate budget lines should be provided and guaranteed. Where the mandates of existing human rights bodies are enlarged to incorporate minority issues, their capacity, resources and staffing should also be enhanced.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- A recent trend towards integration of specialized minority and ethnic equality bodies into wider human rights institutions has been identified in the European context. Funding issues, rather than real or perceived lack of need, may contribute to decisions to abolish or merge institutions, particularly in the context of the current global financial crisis. However, economic conditions should not be considered a valid reason to reduce necessary attention to minority issues. Merger of institutions should not weaken the required institutional attention and resources dedicated to minority issues or limit their independence or the scope of their work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- While institutional attention to minority issues has financial implications, it can still be cost-effective, particularly where early implementation of minority rights helps to avert tensions among communities. Dedicated programmes can improve minority access to education, training and employment, with benefits to minorities and States resulting from the enhanced participation of minorities in economic life. Studies demonstrate the untapped economic potential within marginalized minorities and that integration is not only a moral and human rights obligation but an economic necessity. Where financial constraints exist, low-cost measures include recruitment of minority experts and consultative methodologies, which can significantly strengthen institutional expertise.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- Governments have the primary responsibility for implementing minority rights. Establishing a Government body, agency, department or equivalent institution with dedicated attention to minority issues provides an institutional focus for government activities and offers the potential for proactive policy and programme initiatives and targeted approaches to the challenges involving minorities. It demonstrates governmental commitment to minority rights and should ensure that minority issues are consistently integrated into governmental policies and, essentially, mainstreamed throughout governmental bodies. Considered briefly below are some forms of institutional attention to minority issues adopted by Governments at the national level.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- Some States have established dedicated governmental bodies, including ministries or Government departments, on minority issues. Such bodies often have primary responsibility for designing, directing and leading government policy on minority issues, but the Independent Expert emphasizes that they are most effective when working closely with other line ministries on minority issues and coordinating mainstreaming across ministries. Such dedicated institutional attention gives a strong signal to minorities and wider society that Government recognizes minority issues and takes them seriously. Some Government bodies or initiatives are given a particularly high public profile and status by placing them under high-level political leadership.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Government bodies may benefit from significant, secure funding allocated to State institutions. Relatively high levels of accountability are required of Government bodies regarding appointments to senior positions, annual reports, accounts, and analysis and monitoring of projects and their impact on minorities. They may face valuable scrutiny of their performance by media and civil society. One criticism of Governmental bodies is that they may face review or abolition following changes of political administration. Consequently, they will ideally exist alongside secure independent human rights institutions that also focus attention on minority issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- Dedicated Government institutions may elaborate valuable mission statements and objectives providing important political messages on minority inclusion and equality, which may explicitly reflect challenges facing minorities. The Ministry of Minority Affairs of India is "empowering the minority communities and creating an enabling environment for strengthening the multiracial, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multilingual and multi-religious character of our nation", and its objective is "to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the minority communities through affirmative action and inclusive development". Such public commitments provide a valuable opportunity for civil society engagement and advocacy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Institutional approaches are particularly important that seek to ensure coordinated policy and programming initiatives incorporating all relevant ministries and other national stakeholders. They may develop and take the lead in implementing a national policy framework and devise cross-ministerial strategies and programmes in consultation with minorities and other stakeholders. Holistic, coordinated approaches recognize the interconnected nature of such issues and ministerial priorities such as health and housing, education and employment, and may facilitate policy and programming responses that comprehensively address problems facing minorities and their underlying causes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Lithuania informed the Independent Expert of its Division for National Minorities Affairs in the Ministry of Culture. The post of Vice-Minister of culture for national minorities affairs was introduced in 2011, demonstrating the Government's special attention to national minority issues. A Council of National Minorities operates under the Ministry of Culture and plays a key role in consultation on minority issues with public authorities. Twenty-nine recognized national communities are representatives in the Council, which analyses legal acts and makes recommendations concerning the preservation of national identity.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted the existence of a department for the protection of the rights of, and cooperation with, national minorities and religious groups, which exists within the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees. It employs national minorities; in this regard, Roma coordinators work in the Ministry and in four regional offices. A Department for Minorities also operates within the ombudsman's office. Councils of national minorities at the State level and within autonomous entities function to preserve and develop ethnic, national, religious and cultural identity and assist efforts to reintegrate communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- The Government of Brazil has established institutional attention to Afro-Brazilians in recognition of discrimination and the disproportionate socioeconomic disadvantage of Afro-descendants, including through its ministry dedicated to promoting policies for racial equality, the Secretaria de Políticas de Promoção da Igualdade Racial (SEPPIR). A statute of racial equality (law 12.288), adopted in 2009, reinforces State obligations to guarantee equal opportunities to Afro-Brazilians. Affirmative action projects combat structural inequalities, in particular in respect of access to education, health and employment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- The National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues of Bulgaria is headed by the Deputy Prime Minister. It coordinates State programmes and policies relating to ethnic minorities and monitors implementation of integration policies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Non-governmental organizations representing minorities, including Roma, are members. The High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue of the Government of Portugal, within the Ministry of the Presidency of the Council of Ministries, has a specific mandate to address minority rights and a specialist office for support to Roma people.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- The Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs of Viet Nam is a ministerial-level body responsible for planning and implementation of ethnic policies and those for mountainous regions where minorities frequently live. It manages the development, implementation and monitoring of programmes, and coordinates liaison between ministries and with international agencies and donors. Its priorities include socioeconomic development programmes designed to address the causes of poverty, improving education and training local officials. It is part of an institutional structure including the Ethnic Council of the National Assembly, which advises the National Assembly on ethnic minority matters and reviews draft laws.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Some States take approaches that allow varying degrees of regional, territorial or political autonomy. Where minorities are geographically concentrated, decentralized forms of government often allow minorities a stronger role in institutions and decision-making bodies. In appropriate circumstances, States have devolved power, and created autonomous or other sub-State divisions or federal systems that may enable minorities to have a more significant and direct impact on matters affecting them. The concept of "subsidiarity" promotes decision-making at the lowest level of government consistent with the goals to be attained and is highlighted as valuable in the context of minority rights, including in recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues on minorities and effective political participation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- The Act on the Rights of Nationalities of Hungary of 2011 includes the right to establish "nationality self-governments" for recognized minorities, based on a system originally established in 1993. Self-governments provide an institutional framework for cultural autonomy, there being hundreds of self-governments at the local level with elected minority representatives. Similarly, Estonia indicated to the Independent Expert that ethnic minorities have the right to establish institutions of self-government in accordance with the National Minorities Cultural Autonomy Act, and that a Council of Ethnic Minorities exists within the framework of the Ministry of Culture.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- The commentary of the Working Group on Minorities of the former Commission on Human Rights to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2) notes that "States should establish advisory or consultative bodies involving minorities within appropriate institutional frameworks. They should be attributed political weight and effectively consulted on issues affecting the minority population". Advisory and consultative bodies can be permanent or ad hoc. They help to institutionalize dialogue between government and minority representatives and to ensure that minority issues are reflected in local and ideally national policy- and decision-making processes. Appropriate advisory and consultative bodies should therefore exist at the national level and at regional and local levels, where challenges affecting minorities frequently manifested themselves.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- The Government of Latvia noted the existence of three national-level consultative bodies: the Consultative Council on Minorities, under the President; the National Minority Non-Governmental Organization Committee, under the Ministry of Culture; and the National Minority Education Consultative Council, under the Ministry of Education and Science. At the local government level, society integration commissions have broad minority participation. The Government of Georgia provided information on its institutions, including a Civil Integration and Tolerance Council, a Council on National Minorities set up to facilitate dialogue between Government and national minorities, and a Council of Religions, promoting dialogue, integration and participation of religious associations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Permanent assemblies or political bodies can facilitate minority representation in national political structures. The members of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan represent 40 of the largest ethnic groups. The Government states that it revives and promotes ethnic cultures, languages and traditions; strengthens inter ethnic unity and harmony through the monitoring of ethnic relations; and makes recommendations on State policy. Deputies in the lower house of the parliament are appointed from among the members of the Assembly. The House of Federation of Ethiopia, which is the upper house of the parliament, is composed of representatives of over 60 "nations, nationalities and peoples". It is intended to act as an assurance mechanism for the rights of ethnic groups, as established in the constitution. Such bodies must be based on principles of democratic accountability and electoral legitimacy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- Institutions, including ministries, may decide to have dedicated advisers, consultant posts or focal points within their institutional structures that have responsibility for minority issues. While such posts provide relatively low-level institutional attention, compared with dedicated institutions or departments, they can nevertheless fulfil important functions, raise awareness of minority issues in key policy and programme areas, and demonstrate institutional will to respond to minority concerns. Where advisory posts or focal points exist in different ministries, they may have the potential to promote coordination and information-sharing and joint projects. Given the specialist nature of such roles, priority should be given to the recruitment of minorities, including minority women.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- National human rights institutions are independent, autonomous bodies created by law and should function in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions (the Paris principles) (General Assembly resolution 48/134, annex). National human rights institutions include human rights commissions, ombudsman's offices, and specialized institutions designed to protect the rights of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. In 2005, the United Nations Working Group on Minorities of the former Commission on Human Rights noted that national human rights institutions can contribute significantly to the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities and that there is growing recognition of the contribution that these institutions can make to safeguard the rights of the less advantaged groups of society, in close partnership with them. Nevertheless, frequently such institutions lack clear and proactive mandates for addressing minority issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- The Paris principles require bodies to address racial discrimination proactively, including by increasing public awareness through provision of information and education and by making use of all press organs. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have highlighted the fact that in some States the rights of groups including minorities may be controversial and contested and that national human rights institutions "are frequently the only ones that can and do speak out in defence of those who have no voice, or whose influence is minimal". They frequently provide vital critical assessments of Government policy and practice, including through reports to United Nations treaty bodies that provide non governmental perspectives and substantive recommendations. With specialist minority expertise, they are well placed to advise Governments and critique their minority-related policy and practice.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- Owing to financial factors, administrative and resource burdens and the importance of institutional identity, strong general human rights institutions are preferred by many States. However, the European Centre for Minority Issues states that "given the importance of minority issues to both the minority and the majority communities … the appointment of an officer or establishment of a specialized department in the field of minority protection can only be welcomed". In reality, departments or sections may work within less well defined policy and mandate frameworks than those of dedicated bodies, and may face staff and resource restrictions. Senior appointments, including such posts as deputy ombudsperson for minorities, could be regarded as maintaining appropriate high-level focus on minority issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- Dedicated minority ombudsperson's offices, commissions or racial equality bodies, with clearly defined minority rights mandates, can create strong institutional identity and relatively high issue-visibility. Their mandates commonly demonstrate proactive, wide-ranging activities. The Ombudsman for Minorities of Finland, for example, works to advance the status and legal protection of ethnic minorities, as well as equality, non-discrimination and good ethnic relations. Its activities include: providing guidance on ethnicity issues and information and training on ethnicity; influencing topical issues by participating in public debates; and issuing statements. It supervises compliance with the non-discrimination act, offers legal opinions and advice and undertakes reconciliation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- An important role of independent human rights bodies is in provision of complaint-handling services. Disadvantaged minorities may be reluctant to report incidents of discrimination or lack information or resources that enable them to make or pursue complaints. Specialist bodies frequently provide legal assistance and advisory services. They may offer alternative pathways, including mediation services that pursue solutions outside the courts and provide relatively quick, free and less formal access to remedies. However complaint-handling activities should include the ability to conduct investigations based on information or complaints received and to initiate or pursue legal action in the courts and/or refer cases to other appropriate bodies, including tribunals.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- European Union member States must set up equality bodies that address race and ethnicity in compliance with Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. They are required to provide independent assistance to victims of discrimination on ethnic or religious grounds. They should also conduct independent surveys and publish reports and recommendations relating to discrimination. Consequently, there is a relatively high number of dedicated equality institutions in Europe compared with other regions without such binding directives. Nevertheless, frequently, equality bodies focus primarily on non-discrimination and rarely give essential proactive and dedicated attention to minority issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- National commissions exist in numerous countries and may be general bodies or address thematic or group specific issues. For example, the Government of Germany has established a model of minority commissioners who work to promote and ensure liaison between the Government and minorities. At the federal level, there is a commissioner for both national minorities and immigrants who reports to the Minister of the Interior. The Government of Slovenia highlighted its Commission for the Protection of the Roma Ethnic Community and its Commission for the Hungarian and Italian national minority communities, which have representatives from such minority groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Among other institutions of the Government of Austria, its Equal Treatment Commission is handling ethnic and religious discrimination cases, including those relating to employment and the workplace, and addressing such issues as access to employment, working conditions, harassment and freedom of religion. The Ombudsperson for Equal Treatment of Austria can intervene and negotiate with employers on discrimination cases and submit applications to the Commission. The Ombudsperson offers information on rights and equality, provides training and can impose penalties in cases of discrimination and harassment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Besides its National Human Rights Commission, Nepal also has a National Dalit Commission, which was established in 2002 in recognition of the fact that caste discrimination and untouchability practices continue. It promotes implementation of national and international law and advocated for the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Act, adopted in May 2011, which criminalized such discrimination in private and public spheres. Among its activities was the organization of a 100-day campaign against caste discrimination, in collaboration with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, launched in September 2011 by the President and the High Commissioner.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- The twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration provides an opportunity for States to consider practical measures for enhancing its implementation. Necessary efforts towards achieving positive and systematic change so as to ensure a culture and practice of minority rights and equality require political commitment and proactive approaches that are often lacking. While non-discrimination measures are essential, minority rights frequently require States to implement positive measures and approaches, as articulated in the Declaration, to ensure equality.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- Institutional attention to minority issues is essential to changing the exclusionary practices and discriminatory perceptions about minority groups in wider society that may be institutionalized. Activities should therefore be focused not solely on minorities, but rather on all sectors of society. Coordinated institutional approaches should engage minorities, majority communities, and civil society as key stakeholders. Institutional measures should serve to mainstream minority issues within all relevant institutions and promote diversity and equality in all areas of public life.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- When they have easy access to institutions providing channels of complaint and remedy, including in their own languages, minorities are more likely to engage such bodies, and bring complaints of discrimination, which too often go unreported and unchallenged. Institutional attention to minority issues conveys a positive message to minorities, namely, that government recognizes their issues and concerns, and is committed to finding solutions to challenges involving minorities; and it also helps to instil confidence within communities. This may be particularly important in times of political and social upheaval, or administrative or regime change, or following conflict involving or impacting upon minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- The full and effective participation of minorities is fundamental to the realization of minority rights and a key objective of national institutional attention to minorities. Effective attention can be achieved only with the participation of minorities, both as staff and as partners in the work of institutions addressing minority issues. It should always be remembered that minorities are members of society and should have their full say on issues involving all aspects of society, and not only on those issues of particular minority concern. In cases where they do not have that say, institutional attention to minority rights and minority issues is a means of enhancing their participation in all aspects of the economic, social and political life and development of their countries.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Based on the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the independent expert has identified a number of thematic priorities that will feature in her work during her first term as mandate holder. These priorities also reflect some of the priorities that have been brought to her attention, and have been raised with her predecessor, by minorities themselves. The independent expert wishes to emphasize that, to the fullest extent possible and in line with the provisions of her mandate, her work will take into account the views of minorities and NGOs as well as other stakeholders and that she will take every opportunity to respond to the concerns of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Issues and concerns have frequently been raised with the mandate of the independent expert relating to the rights of linguistic minorities. The Declaration on Minorities establishes that States shall protect the linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and shall encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity. It emphasizes that minorities have the right "to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination". Article 4 of the Declaration requires that "States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible, persons belonging to minorities may have adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or to have instruction in their mother tongue".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert will build on the earlier reports and findings of her predecessor in which she identified significant challenges faced by minority groups in all regions who speak minority languages as their mother tongue. Minority languages are frequently not allowed to be used in national or local administration or as the language of instruction in schools, for example. Consequently those belonging to minorities may face barriers to their full participation in public life. Many young people belonging to minorities in all regions are often required to speak two or more languages, which on the one hand is vital for their full participation in society, but on the other hand can create difficulties and disadvantages, for example in their education, as they are required to study in a language that is not their mother tongue.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert will therefore pay special attention to the rights of and challenges faced by linguistic minorities. She will examine the problems as well as seeking to identify positive practices from all regions. For example, the use of models of bilingual education, commencing in the early years of schooling and including textbooks in minority languages, has been demonstrated to help children to become proficient in their mother tongue as well as national languages, maintain their ethnic and linguistic identity, and to help minority pupils to achieve positive education outcomes and fulfil their potential to participate effectively in wider society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Under article 1 of the Declaration on Minorities, States are required to protect the existence and religious identity of persons belonging to religious minorities and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity. Article 2 establishes that persons belonging to religious minorities have the right to profess and practise their own religion, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination. Particularly relevant to the rights of religious minorities are the provisions in article 2 relating to the right to establish and maintain their own associations and to establish and maintain free and peaceful contacts with other members of their group, as well as contacts across frontiers, with citizens of other States to whom they are related by religious ties.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert is particularly concerned about the situation of religious minorities in all regions. Information received by the mandate of the independent expert and the work of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, as well as other thematic mandates, have revealed disturbing attacks and violence against members of religious minorities and their places of worship, affecting Buddhist, Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslim, and other religious minorities in several regions. Such violent attacks have been documented in numerous countries and different regions and are not confined to any one region. Long-standing and new forms of anti-religious extremism and the use of the internet and social media to spread hate speech and encourage discrimination and violence must be condemned at the highest levels.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- In addition, the situation and abuse of the rights of persons belonging to "non-traditional" and new minority religious and faith groups remains concerning in some regions. Persons belonging to such groups report undue restrictions on their religious freedom and the activities of their leaders and members, administrative barriers to the registration of their faith-based organizations and establishment of places of worship and general harassment and intimidation including by law enforcement bodies and local authorities. In some cases members of such minorities experience violent attacks as a consequence of their religion or belief.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- Article 1 of the Declaration requires that "States shall protect the existence and the national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and shall encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity". The Declaration on Minorities does not provide a comprehensive or legally binding definition of which groups can be considered to constitute minorities or provide detailed criteria for according minority status. In all regions there are national, ethnic, religious or linguistic communities that are not recognized as minorities by States and therefore may not be fully benefiting from minority rights as required by the Declaration. The independent expert considers that States should take an inclusive approach and interpret the Declaration in a progressive and unrestrictive way to ensure that both long-established and relatively newly established minorities enjoy their minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert welcomes the work of her predecessor relating to the rights and status of some persons belonging to specific communities in all regions that find themselves denied or deprived of citizenship, legal rights to remain, or recognition as legitimate minority groups. In many cases individuals, including children belonging to such groups who may have been born in their country of residence are rendered stateless. The independent expert will continue to raise the issues of specific affected communities. In cases where individuals have lived in a country for a period commensurate with their establishing well-developed community, social, economic and familial ties with that country, every consideration should be given by the State to granting them citizenship or legal rights to remain and all of their human rights as individuals and members of a minority group.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert notes with concern that a number of States maintain national ideologies or policies that impose restrictive criteria relating to official recognition of minority status. This may result in approaches to human rights, socio-economic policy, development, and poverty reduction, for example, that may fail to recognize the distinct circumstances, problems and experiences, including experiences of discrimination and exclusion, of persons belonging to disadvantaged national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups. Approaches which do not recognize minorities, or acknowledge that certain population groups may face distinct challenges, do not allow for the opportunity for key tools and resources for non-discrimination and equality to be employed, including the use of disaggregated data and affirmative action measures targeted towards disadvantaged minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert recognizes the role and potential of young men and women within minority communities to inspire and promote change and develop positive relations across communities as well as being agents of change within their communities. Young people from both minority and majority communities have different experiences from those of older generations and bring different perceptions, including with regard to their national, ethnic, religious and linguistic and other aspects of their identity, and their interactions with those from communities that are not their own. In all aspects of her work as mandate holder, the independent expert will seek to engage with young people from minorities to learn about their views and ideas and to encourage them to take leadership roles and engage in positive activities to promote inter-cultural dialogue.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Women belonging to minorities frequently experience unique challenges and multiple or intersecting forms of discrimination emanating from their status as members of minorities and as women or girls. This may make minority women and girls particularly vulnerable to human rights violations and the denial of their rights in both public and private life. In conformity with the requirements of her mandate, the independent expert will seek to engage with minority women and consult them on their issues and concerns in all aspects of her work, including during country visits and in her communications to specific States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert emphasizes that the fourth session of the Forum on Minority Issues held in November 2011, was dedicated to "guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls" (see Section VI below) and produced a series of concrete recommendations to protect the rights of minority girls and women (A/HRC/19/71). The independent expert considers that these recommendations provide an essential resource and tool, produced through an inclusive process involving key stakeholders, including States and minority women themselves. In this regard she will focus attention on activities and initiatives to promote awareness and implementation of these recommendations in every region and seek opportunities to assist States and civil society in their efforts to operationalize the recommendations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- The Declaration on Minorities states in article 4 that "States should consider appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the economic progress and development in their country". Nevertheless some disadvantaged minority groups in all regions continue to face high and disproportionate levels of poverty and face discrimination and marginalization that impacts on their rights and opportunities in all fields of life, including their education, access to employment and participation in economic life, their access to adequate housing, health and service provision.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert considers the work undertaken by the mandate to highlight the situation of minorities in the context of the Millennium Development Goals to be highly important as the international community approaches the 2015 deadline for achieving the Goals. She considers that efforts by States to ensure that the Goals are met for the poorest and most disadvantaged communities, frequently including minority groups, should be intensified including via interventions targeted at particular minority communities. Millions of persons belonging to minorities globally, including, for example, people of African descent, Roma, Dalits and others, are at risk of being left behind by initiatives that fail to benefit them due to discrimination, lack of adequate attention to their unique circumstances of poverty, or neglect.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Minority communities frequently experience discrimination and exclusion which leave them in situations of poverty and which require targeted solutions. The independent expert encourages States to recognize that one-size-fits-all solutions to achieve the MDGs will often not be effective for minorities who are frequently the poorest of the poor, who may live in remote or isolated localities and who may experience widespread discrimination in society resulting in entrenched exclusion and poverty. She will urge States to give specific attention to minority groups in the context of their efforts to achieve the Goals, to conduct rigorous needs assessments as well as research into the impact of Millennium Development Goal programmes and activities on minorities and to evaluate the extent to which progress has been made or remains required for minority groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert emphasizes that while Governments bear the primary responsibility for protecting and ensuring the rights of all within society, minorities themselves also have a vital role and important responsibilities relating to their own communities and their place and integration in wider society. Article 2 of the Declaration establishes that "persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation. Persons belonging to minorities also have the right to establish and maintain their own associations, and important component in the efforts of minorities to advocate for their rights".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert, therefore, recognizes and applauds the work of grass-roots organizations and individuals in every region of the world working with and on behalf of disadvantaged minority communities to protect and promote their rights. She emphasizes that such NGOs frequently work in difficult circumstances and lack capacity and financial and human resources. Nevertheless many such organizations and individuals have achieved significant and concrete improvements affecting the lives of persons belonging to minorities in positive and very practical ways which should be given greater visibility and potentially employed as positive models for other communities worldwide where similar challenges exist.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Recognizing that globally some minorities have been relatively successful in organizing and mobilizing themselves in order to claim their rights in comparison to others, the independent expert considers it important to develop a greater understanding of how minorities organize and become successful in mobilizing for change at the national and international levels and implement successful advocacy strategies. More studies should look into these opportunities and experiences and the independent expert will pay special attention to such analyses. Minority communities that have established NGOs are frequently more successful at advocating for change, are better equipped to engage local and national government and are able to benefit from funding and support from national and external sources.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert wishes to expand the group of minority activists and experts cooperating with her mandate and providing information to it. Building on the work of her predecessor she will seek to develop and update the civil society database of OHCHR with national organizations working in the area of minority rights and with minority communities, including those in countries in which official visits have been undertaken. This will enhance the independent expert's ability to maintain regular channels of communication with such actors and provide advisory and other services to them and to assist them with their access to her mandate, other relevant special procedures mandates, treaty bodies and other human rights bodies and mechanisms that are relevant to work on minority issues and country situations involving minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Network members would be an important source of information and expertise for the work of the independent expert and help to create awareness of the mandate across different regions and contribute systematically to the work of the mandate. A caucus would strengthen opportunities to share good practices and positive initiatives, improve information sharing by the United Nations to minorities relating to United Nations activities and events relevant to minorities, provide enhanced channels of communication regarding the provision of information relating to violations of the rights of minorities, and allow for joint initiatives. Reflecting on the need for effective early warning mechanisms to alert the international community to situations of concern involving minorities, the independent expert believes that the establishment of a global caucus could enhance efforts in this respect and improve timely provision of information on deteriorating situations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- A minorities caucus could benefit from and be based upon existing United Nations contacts with minorities including: minority participants in the Forum on Minority Issues; participants in the United Nations Minority Fellowship Programme; contacts established through country visits of the mandate and through thematic initiatives of the independent expert. In addition, NGOs and others working in the field of minority issues in all regions would be invited to propose organizations and individuals to join the caucus. Academics, researchers, regional and country experts and those with particular thematic expertise relating to minority issues will also make a valuable contribution to discussions and initiatives of the proposed caucus.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The year 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption by consensus of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. In 1992, inspired by the provisions of article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, all United Nations Member States agreed that the rights of minorities warranted particular attention by the United Nations and that the United Nations has an important role to play regarding the protection of minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- It is notable that the Declaration states in its preambular paragraphs that "the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live" and that "the constant promotion and realization of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as an integral part of the development of society as a whole and within a democratic framework based on the rule of law, would contribute to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among peoples and States".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert particularly draws the attention of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to article 9 of the Declaration which states that they "shall contribute to the full realization of the rights and principles set forth in the present Declaration, within their respective fields of competence". In this regard she welcomes the continuing cooperation and collaboration of specialized agencies, treaty bodies and others with her mandate relating to their work on minority issues and invites them to consider participating in and initiating activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the Declaration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert encourages all United Nations Member States to consider undertaking activities in their countries and regions to mark the 20th anniversary and to promote awareness of the United Nations Declaration amongst minority communities and within wider society generally. Such activities could include the establishment of a national day for minorities during which the cultures and traditions of minority groups are celebrated and the contributions of minorities to society through history and in the present day are highlighted. Initiatives in the field of education and information for young people from all communities could also be envisaged.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- The Forum on Minority Issues, established under resolution 6/15 of the Human Rights Council, is mandated to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and to provide thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert. The independent expert is required to guide the Forum sessions, prepare its annual meetings and to report the recommendations of the Forum to the Human Rights Council. The Forum has been successful in identifying and analysing best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on Minorities and has produced concrete and tangible outcomes in the form of thematic recommendations of practical value to all stakeholders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- As a practical measure to promote awareness and implementation of the recommendations of the Forum in every region, under the auspices of the mandate of the independent expert, a publication has been produced which compiles the recommendations of the first three annual sessions of the Forum in one accessible document. The publication will be widely disseminated and made available in online and CD-ROM formats. This publication will contribute to resources provided by OHCHR for events to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration and aims to make the recommendations of the Forum more accessible to Government and multiple stakeholders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- The fourth annual session of the Forum took place on 29 and 30 November 2011 and considered the issue of guaranteeing the rights of minority women. The fourth session of the Forum focused on concrete measures and recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls. Building on the work carried out during the first three sessions of the Forum and the recommendations emanating from that work, the fourth session addressed the rights as well as the challenges and opportunities with regard to minority women and girls having access to education, taking part effectively in economic life, having access to labour markets and participating fully in social, cultural and political life.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- The fourth session of the Forum was expertly chaired by Ms. Graciela Dixon of Panama, and achieved excellent participation by diverse stakeholders, including over 80 United Nations Member States from all regions, and experts identified on the basis of their belonging to a minority group and having particular expertise and experience in the field of the rights of women belonging to minorities. United Nations bodies, mechanisms and specialized agencies participated, including UNICEF and UN Women, as well as expert Members of United Nations treaty bodies, notably the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Many NGOs were active participants and facilitated the participation of persons belonging to minorities from every region.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- The Forum drew greater attention to the situation of minority women in the agendas of the various stakeholders working on human rights, minority rights and women's rights by establishing closer cooperation among them. It also gave space to, inter alia, minority women's rights and feminist movements and networks, and provided concrete and practical examples to all participants on how to give visibility to the rights of minority women. Participants had the opportunity to highlight challenges as well as positive initiatives and good practices for the protection and promotion of the rights of minority women.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- At its first session, the Forum focused on minorities and the right to education. Access to education for minority girls may present particular challenges, especially in highly patriarchal family and community structures where gendered societal roles persist. Lack of education represents an absolute barrier to their progress and empowerment in every region of the world. In some cases, where barriers to access are compounded for girls, sometimes owing to the prioritization given to the education of boys, this results in a vicious circle leading to severe educational exclusion and diminished opportunities for girls to take part fully in economic, social, cultural and political life. As a consequence, some minority girls and women excluded from education suffer from high illiteracy levels.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- At its second session, the Forum recommended, inter alia, that States should ensure that all mechanisms, procedures and institutions established to promote and increase the political participation of persons belonging to minorities take into account the specific needs of minority women. The political rights of women are established in, inter alia, article 7 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, whereby women are guaranteed the rights to vote, to hold public office and to exercise public functions. Minorities often lack a say in national and local bodies responsible for policy, including in relation to economic life, national development and budgeting, and this is doubly the case for minority women. Consequently, the issues and situations of minority women may be neglected or not be given the priority that is required to achieve meaningful change.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- The theme of the third session of the Forum was minorities and effective participation in economic life. Minority women are often excluded from the labour market or are at greater risk of unemployment. Barriers to minority women's access to labour markets include lack of professional education and formal qualifications, limited knowledge of the official language, low awareness of job opportunities, geographical location of jobs distant from their place of residence, lack of public infrastructure for child care, and financial difficulties. Cultural traditions and gendered societal roles may further discourage the involvement of minority women in employment or severely limit their options in this regard.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- Sex- and minority-based discrimination in hiring, promotion and pay also create significant barriers for minority women. Increasingly informal labour markets - a result of globalization - have brought more women into paid work, but often with low pay, excluded from basic labour protection and employed under poor working conditions. This renders the conditions under which minority women - and all too often young girls - earn incomes that may be insecure, difficult, harmful or even dangerous. Their workload can be made heavier by the lack of such basic amenities as clean water and sanitation, the availability of child-care support and protection against domestic and social violence. Minority girls and women in difficult circumstances are often forced to find survival opportunities outside their communities and home, and can easily fall victim to trafficking, exploitation and illegal migration within or outside their own country, which makes them even more vulnerable.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- In some societies, minority women shoulder complex burdens of poverty, ethnic or religious prejudice and gender-based restrictions, which can frequently result in greater challenges to the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing. For instance, minority women in rural or remote areas in some countries may be confronted by a profound degree of isolation created by several different factors, including the boundaries of the home, lack of education and language barriers. Access to and use and management of land and property are central to women's economic independence, social status and political influence, not only with regard to their own status but also to that of men in their community.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- Customary law used by minorities, as well as laws in general, may disadvantage minority women, and entrenched gender roles may leave them highly vulnerable, particularly with regard to ownership of land or property, inheritance rights and access to credit, technology or markets. Displacement as a result of a wide range of reasons, such as war, men having been forced to flee or killed in a conflict, increased poverty and climate change have had the effect of loss of land and property, as well as putting minority women at risk of, inter alia, kidnapping, sexual exploitation, violence and HIV/AIDS.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- Minority women may also face additional challenges in terms of access to reproductive health care. Indeed, several factors, including poverty, living in remote geographic areas where maternal health services are poor and/or inaccessible, and the lack of cultural awareness among maternal health practitioners, can greatly contribute to increasing maternal mortality among minority women. Minority women might have to deal with restrictions on their reproductive rights from within their own communities, including with regard to the use of contraception. The practice of early marriages in minority communities can have a significant impact on the health of women and their access to education or employment. Other discriminatory practices and policies in society in general include forced sterilization, used for some minority women because of their belonging to a particular minority group.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Negative and stereotypical portrayals of minority girls and women - for example as uneducated, powerless, oppressed or unhygienic - largely influence their treatment in wider society and contribute to the perpetuation of discrimination. Minority women following different cultural, traditional and religious practices can easily face segregation or exclusion from various social services. If they only speak their minority language, they experience difficulties and discrimination even in basic life situations. Minority women may also face barriers to freedom of cultural expression and have limited access to social and cultural forums when compared with minority men.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Two side-events on issues related to the rights of minority women and girls were organized in the margins of the fourth session of the Forum. The first side event on 29 November, organized by OHCHR, focused on empowering minority women to claim their rights within their communities as well as organizational and institutional bodies and mechanisms that can be effective in empowering and building the capacity of minority women. Panellists included Mercedes Barquet (Mexico), member of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice; Atieno Junnipher Kere (Kenya), Women In Fishing Industry Programme; Renu Sijapati (Nepal), Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO); Beata Bislim Olahova (Slovakia), Roma Education Fund; and Leonardo Reales Martinez (Colombia), AFROLATINOS and ECODESARROLLO.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- Recalling that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the independent expert urges all stakeholders, including United Nations Member States, civil society and minorities themselves to undertake efforts and initiatives to increase awareness of the Declaration amongst all people within their respective States and regions, and to actively promote its implementation and the full enjoyment of all human rights by persons belonging to minority communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 10
- Paragraph text
- In all regions of the world, persons belonging to religious minorities face daily human rights violations. These range from violations of their individual rights and discrimination on the basis of their religious or belief identities to attacks on their community activities and violence against them, their places of worship or homes. They are targeted on the basis of discriminatory national laws and as State policy, and they suffer violations resulting from the disparate impact of apparently neutral laws, from the actions of non-State actors and from the impact of intercommunal tensions. There are millions of persons belonging to religious minorities globally who suffer human rights violations from birth until death.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- The Expert is deeply concerned about information that she receives from religious minorities that reveals widespread violations of their civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Analysis of the communications reports of Special Procedures since 2011 reveals violations including: limits on, and the denial of, registration; fining owing to the possession of religious literature and bans on that literature; refusing to allow preaching without permits; prohibiting religious activity and restrictions on the right to assemble, worship and practice; forced re-education and the denial of access to education; arrest, arbitrary detention, imprisonment and prosecution of conscientious objectors; the closure of monasteries and the refusal of permission to renovate or construct places of worship; the destruction of religious property, historic sites and graves; disbanding religious gatherings; and prohibiting the observance of religious holidays and celebrations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- The Pew Research Center has observed that harassment or intimidation of specific religious groups occurred in 160 countries in 2011, the same number as in the year ending in mid-2010. Based on a five-year study, it found that religious groups had been harassed in a total of 185 countries at one time or another over this period. The weight of information received by the Independent Expert and the extent and nature of rights violations, including violations of minority rights, suggest that some States continue to pursue an intentional policy of discrimination, persecution and violations against persons belonging to religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- The violations faced by religious minorities lie at the intersection of a number of realities, including the State's religion or ideology relationship, the State's demographic makeup, the constitutional and legislative framework, the personal status laws, intercommunal relationships and the role of non-State actors - each of them and their combined effect have a profound impact on the human rights situation of religious minorities. Historical, geopolitical and inter-State factors may in some cases exacerbate the discrimination, exclusion and vulnerability experienced by religious minorities. National and international human rights responses to the challenges faced by religious minorities must seek to uphold their equal enjoyment of international human rights, including through the protection and promotion of minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- International standards require the enjoyment on an equal basis of all human rights by all. However, many State religion and State ideology relationships result in discrimination and violations against religious minorities. Some States have discriminatory provisions enshrined in their constitutional, civil and criminal laws that have a severe impact on religious minorities. Violations do not exist solely in States in which the Government and its institutions are linked to the predominant religion. Some States that declare a secular position are also highly intolerant of religious or belief communities, their associations, activities and manifestations. Although such States may strike some level of coexistence with the majority religion, they are often negligent or dismissive of their human rights duties towards religious minorities. Respect for the rights of religious minorities does not, therefore, automatically flow from any specific model of State religion or ideology.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- Where patterns of violations against minorities are long established, there is a risk that the international community may view such tensions as intractable. This is particularly the case with religious minorities, the violations of whose rights may be considered an inevitable consequence of a particular State religion or State ideology. States with a shared State religion or ideology pattern may be blind to such violations, and other States may be reluctant to intervene. International human rights law needs to reclaim the full equality of religious minorities and not concede their human rights as part and parcel of particular power or demographic relations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- 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.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- The present report complements and supplements the excellent work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, which has addressed challenges to freedom of religion experienced by religious minorities. The Independent Expert particularly welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (A/HRC/22/51), which addressed the protection of the freedom of religion or belief of persons belonging to religious minorities, with a focus on conceptual clarifications and violations - both multifaceted motives and settings of violations and specific areas of violations against religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert adopts an inclusive approach to which groups fall within the scope of "religious minority". She is guided by the Human Rights Committee's General Comment 23 (50) (art. 27) which emphasizes that the existence of an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority in a given State party does not depend upon a decision by that State party but is required to be established by objective criteria (see CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.5, para. 5.2). She recognizes the right to self-identify as belonging to a religious minority or not to do so, and does not limit her attention to officially recognized groups. Consequently, references to "religious minorities" encompass a broad range of religious or belief communities, traditional and non-traditional, whether recognized by the State or not, and include more recently established faith or belief groups that seek the protection of their rights under minority rights standards. Non-believers, atheists or agnostics may also face challenges and discrimination and require protection of their rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- International human rights standards have been built on the foundation of non discrimination. The premise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is that everyone should enjoy their rights "without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status" (art. 2). The insistence on non-discrimination and equal enjoyment of human rights serves as the uncompromising premise of all subsequent norms in all human rights treaties and declarations. Enjoyment without discrimination also serves as the whole rationale behind minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- The 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (see General Assembly resolution 36/55) does not explicitly mention religious minorities. However, it establishes non discrimination and equality as key principles. Article 2, paragraph 1, stresses that no one shall be subject to discrimination by any State, institution, group of persons or person on the grounds of religion or belief. Article 3 clearly establishes that discrimination between human beings on the grounds of religion or belief constitutes an affront to human dignity and a disavowal of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (see General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex) provides that in those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language. Article 27, which is the most important, is a legally binding treaty provision dedicated to minorities. Its scope extends beyond freedom of religion or belief, while fully preserving the substance of the provisions of article 18 on freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Nazila Ghanea, however, has pointed out the dearth of consideration of religious minorities as minorities in the jurisprudence of the Human Rights Committee on article 27 and their overall exclusion to date from consideration under article 27.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The Declaration on Minorities, inspired by article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, establishes the responsibility of States to ensure the protection of minority religious identity. However, importantly, it goes much further in its scope and elaborates positive requirements for the protection of minority group rights beyond freedom of religion and religious identity. Article 1, paragraph 1, establishes that States shall protect the existence and the national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and shall encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity. Article 1, paragraph 2, requires a positive obligation on States to adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to achieve those ends. Throughout the Declaration, the positive obligations of States to protect and promote minority rights are emphasized.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Article 2 outlines that minorities have the right to establish and maintain their own associations (art. 2, para. 4); and to establish and maintain, without any discrimination, free and peaceful contacts with other members of their group and with persons belonging to other minorities, as well as contacts across frontiers with citizens of other States to whom they are related (art. 2, para. 5). Article 2 underscores the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life and to participate effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- Positive obligations of States are further emphasized in the requirement for States to take measures to create favourable conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs (art. 4, para. 2). States are also called upon to take measures in the field of education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory (art. 4, para. 4). Article 5 requires national policies and programmes to be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities, as well as programmes of cooperation and assistance among States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- A minority rights-based approach to the protection of the rights of religious minorities is an obligation of all States. Minority rights require a broad protection of the culture, languages, traditions and customs of religious minorities and understanding of leadership and customary law structures that might result, for example, in consideration of special or autonomous arrangements. It requires the State to take positive measures both in respect to the rights of minorities to enjoy and practise their religion and all aspects of their identity, and also in respect to their equal place in society and their ability to participate fully in economic, political and social life.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- The scope of both minority rights and freedom of religion or belief is wide and inclusive. This is clear from the relevant norms enshrined in articles 18 and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the related General Comments 22 and 23 of the Human Rights Committee relating to the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and minority rights, respectively. Minorities are to enjoy culture, religion and language, and freedom of religion or belief is to include manifestation in "worship, observance, practice and teaching". This scope is also upheld in other instruments such as articles 14 and 30 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Those standards therefore call upon States to seek to allow for and actively facilitate the adequate functioning of religious minorities in all their related activities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- The Human Rights Committee has recognized that the situation of non-traditional minority religions and beliefs gives cause for concern and has noted a tendency to discriminate against newly established religious and belief groups, and hostility against them. Consequently, in its General Comment 22, the Committee stressed that the terms "belief" and "religion" should be broadly construed and that application of article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights must not be limited to traditional or predominant religions. The State must therefore also ensure non-discrimination and equal enjoyment of human rights for smaller, dispersed or newly arrived religious communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- Understood and implemented in human rights terms, minority rights aim to guarantee equality, not to provide privileges. Minority rights ensure equality for persons and communities who share characteristics they wish to maintain along with others, but which are held by those who are not dominant in terms of numbers or power. Even among those States that support minority rights, there may be a particular challenge entailed in relating minority rights standards to religious minorities. Even legal regimes that allow for religious pluralism but do not take account of minority status may fall short of the positive obligations that are owing to and required by religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Some States either lack adequate legislation for the protection of the rights of religious minorities or limit the applicability of legislation to a few recognized religious groups. Other States have laws and policies in place that should facilitate the full range of religious minority activities, in private, in public and in community with others. Non-discrimination legislation is also frequently in place that should provide a platform to ensure equal treatment of all, including religious minorities, in such key areas as education, employment, access to goods and services, and access to judicial remedy. However, even where such legislation exists, in practice it is frequently poorly implemented or monitored.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- At the regional level, some positive practice exists, for example the European Union Employment Equality Directive, adopted in 2000, which requires Member States to protect against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in employment, occupation and vocational training. All Member States were required to transpose the Directive into domestic law by 2 December 2003 and monitor and report on its implementation. Such developments are to be welcomed as concrete steps towards ensuring the rights of religious minorities. However, implementation at the national level remains problematic in some States. Strengthening regional provisions and monitoring for the protection of religious minorities in all regions would provide a valuable impetus for States to improve legislation and policy and practice.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Recent United Nations attention to religious minorities reflects the seriousness of their situation worldwide. On 22 March 2012, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 19/8 on freedom of religion or belief, which emphasizes the responsibility of all States to promote and protect the rights of religious minorities. It highlights the fact that frequently they are adversely affected by negative stereotypes and face violence and the impact of religious extremism. It condemns violence and acts of terrorism and calls on States to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. It urges States to promote, through the educational system and other means, mutual understanding, tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in all matters relating to freedom of religion or belief by encouraging a wider knowledge of the history, traditions, languages and cultures of religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- To respond appropriately to the rights and needs of religious minorities requires a comprehensive knowledge of religious diversity and minority communities. However, information suggests that many States are not well aware of the picture of their religious minorities and lack a full understanding of their numerical size, distribution, socioeconomic conditions relative to other groups, and the challenges that their members face. A full picture of the religious and belief diversity relies primarily on self-identification by concerned persons. It should include all religions, not only those listed in the constitution, specified in a closed list by the Government, or recognized by the theology or ideology to which the State associates itself.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- A full picture requires up-to-date disaggregated data, research by national statistical bodies, academia or civil society actors. This should be updated regularly in order to pick up on changes to birth rates, migration flows and patterns of belief. Research should be sophisticated enough to reveal the different situations of women, young people and others who may face particular challenges. It should include beliefs as well as religions. As a basic minimum standard, regular census surveys should include voluntary questions on religion that allow individuals to self-identify and that provide a valuable resource for deeper statistical analysis.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- The reality of minorities within minorities and the centrality of self-definition should not be neglected. Religious minorities may be characterized by both unity and diversity, by obedience and solidarity, as well as by multiple and emerging histories. Diversities of nomenclatures, self-ascriptions of terms to describe the group or its practices, the multiplicity of groups that share holy figures or sites of significance, those all need to be acknowledged. The complexity of arising issues cannot be ignored away. Further, the ignorance of the public at large regarding the variety of groups and values under a particular religion or belief "header" and their demographic profile needs to be challenged.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- In Rakhine State in Myanmar, for example, an estimated 800,000 Rohingya Muslims are not recognized as citizens of the majority Buddhist State despite the community having been resident in the country for generations. Effectively stateless persons, they have faced systematic violation of their rights in all walks of life, including their participation in economic, political and social life. Violence between Buddhists and Rohingya in 2012 resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of Rohingya and some Buddhists to camps for internally displaced persons. Denial of full citizenship is considered a root cause of human rights violations against this religious minority community (see A/HRC/22/49).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- The enjoyment of equal citizenship requires that religious minorities should enjoy all their rights in equality with other citizens, for example, to hold all posts within the jurisdiction of a State. This should include, for example, access to higher education and professional training as well as the highest posts within the State, the political leadership, educational institutions, the armed forces and in the media, and so on. Such equality may be in addition to the State having made the case for legitimate different treatment through quotas of seats or their representation at particular levels of Government. Quotas are not a concession or "privilege" that can absolve the State from issuing unequal citizenship to religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities - like all minorities - should be able to educate their children about their beliefs, practices, history and culture. Positive practices result in educational environments that are welcoming and appropriate to those from diverse religious communities. However, the educational rights of religious minorities are routinely violated around the world. Minority children may be ridiculed and humiliated by school authorities. School texts may exclude reference to religious minorities or misrepresent historical facts about them. In extreme cases, such texts cruelly stereotype them, falsify their religious texts, or accuse them of being politically suspect. Religious minorities may be denied meaningful access to tertiary education owing to their religious affiliation, thus denying them access to some professions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- Schools may serve as sites for the perpetuation of a singular religious or ideological ideal, failing to take on board religious or belief diversity, erasing all symbols of such difference, and aiming to assimilate all into an (intolerant) national "unity". In some countries, regions or schools with diverse religious communities teach only the majority religion. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited by the Independent Expert in 2012, Bosniak, Croat and Serb communities remain largely divided along religious and ethnic lines. Religious education is provided only in the majority religion and serves to reinforce differences and exacerbate divisions between young people and communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- International norms insist upon non-discrimination on the basis of religion in relation to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including in relation to the right to education. The four standards considered to be interrelated and essential features for implementation of the right to education (availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability) are also relevant in terms of the availability of and access to education for religious minorities. Regarding the latter, the Human Rights Committee explained that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights permits public school instruction in subjects such as the general history of religions and ethics if it is given in a neutral and objective way, whereas public education that includes instruction in a particular religion or belief is inconsistent with article 18.4 unless provision is made for non-discriminatory exemptions or alternatives that would accommodate the wishes of parents and guardians (see CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.5, para. 6).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Families
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities are frequently denied equality of the law and equality before the law in courts that are guided by overtly discriminatory constitutional and other legal provisions. Such laws may grant them second-class status, or no legal recognition whatsoever. In some jurisdictions, religious minorities may be classified in law or in the perception of law enforcement bodies as infidels, separatists, suspect terrorists or non-protected persons, which renders their community rights non-existent. Conversion to a religion or belief that is undesirable in the view of the State may lead to the "civil death" of those persons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities should always be able to avail themselves of complaints procedures and civil remedies in the courts. Nevertheless, barriers often exist to their access to justice, which must be addressed. Minorities may be reluctant to bring complaints to the police owing to hostility or the reluctance of authorities to receive their complaints, or general poor relations of religious minorities with law enforcement bodies. Women may face particular problems or anxiety in bringing complaints. Where the courts are, or are perceived to be, highly influenced by the dominant State religion, minorities may feel that such justice bodies are inappropriate to their needs, especially where national laws discriminate against them. Religiously diverse societies should take steps to ensure that religious minorities are represented in law enforcement bodies and the judiciary and that, where appropriate, training or special judicial mechanisms that meet the needs of religious minorities are put in place.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- In numerous States, the recognition of a number of personal status law codes locks religious minorities into systems of laws that may have negative implications for the enjoyment of their rights. Such laws may not allow them, for example, to marry outside their religion. They may oblige them to accept the polygamy of their partner, and they may disinherit them should one of their siblings choose to convert into a particular religion. Such laws may rob them of the opportunity to gain custody of their children on grounds of their remarriage, or their children might automatically be taken away from them at particular ages if they are divorced. Some laws may give religious minorities no option to apply for divorce or may force them to make enormous financial sacrifices in order to obtain a divorce.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Families
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- All of the above might be forced upon them on the grounds that it is "respectful" of the laws of their religion, but may do so without asking them what their religion or belief is, how they interpret it and which legal system they ascribe to. Most worryingly, it may do so without giving them any opportunity for a civil alternative, any option for exit from such legal provisions and, indeed, no opportunity for adopting or changing their religion or belief. The State should not only be mindful of these vast arenas of discrimination, which may indeed have a coercive impact on the freedom to hold religion or belief, but needs to ensure that it fulfils its due diligence obligations with respect to all such violations. This includes obligations with respect to violations that may result from the actions of non-State actors, and violations that may primarily occur in the private sphere.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights may exist owing both to discrimination in wider society and to factors such as strictly defined gender roles within minority communities. Recent debates regarding the accommodation of religious dress, particularly for women in the workplace, have had an impact on the ability of some minority women to access labour markets or even public services. While offering general recognition and respect for the religious and cultural practices and traditions of minorities, it is the responsibility of Government and minorities alike to ensure that those practices and traditions do not contravene the human rights of any individual.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- An intersectional and claimant-centred approach is important to protect the rights of women belonging to religious minorities. Women should not be externally compelled, in seeking remedies for violations, to choose from among their religion, their community and their rights. The authorities should seek to respond to the situation in a manner that upholds women's agency, utilizes dispute resolution procedures where appropriate, and is sensitive to intersectional belonging in the way that those women freely define it. The fourth session of the Forum on Minority Issues, which was held in November 2011, was dedicated to the theme "guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls" and produced concrete recommendations to protect the rights of minority women and girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Where they are fully recognized as distinct religious communities with specific needs and equal rights, religious minorities may find an enabling and non discriminatory environment that facilitates and ensures their minority rights. Where religious communities are not recognized, severe barriers may exist for them not only in terms of their right to practise their religion freely, but also in their ability to participate fully and equally in all aspects of society. The requirements of religion, for example with regard to the establishment or renovation of places of worship, administrative offices, religious community centres or associations and the establishment of service providers for specific dietary or other requirements, mean that recognition is particularly important.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- Many States have established registration processes in order for religious communities to be able to become legally recognized and benefit from legal and policy measures enabling them to manage their communal activities. However, some States base recognition on historical provisions and structures and consequently grant recognition to only a few religious minorities present in the State. States with a dominant State-religion relationship may be strongly influenced by that religion's dictates regarding which religious minorities are officially recognized and which are not. States with a dominant State-ideology relationship or secular States alike may not understand the range of community activities associated with religious minority "existence and continuity" and, whether intentionally or otherwise, may restrict the legitimate enjoyment of related rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- It is essential to ensure that all procedures for registration are accessible, inclusive, non-discriminatory and not unduly burdensome. Registration procedures designed to limit beneficiaries due to political or social intolerance run afoul of human rights standards. Those intended to exclude non-traditional religions or beliefs - pertaining, for example, to newer communities, migrants, or new religious movements - also contravene human rights standards and result in undue restrictions on rights. Both those objectives may be owing to the prevalence of discrimination against particular religious minorities. Freedom of religion or belief has a status prior and independent of any administrative recognition procedures, and religious minorities should be respected in their freedom of religion or belief even without any registration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Some States demand the declaration of religious affiliation on identity cards and other official documentation. The enjoyment of rights may then be precariously conditional on ascription to a closed list of particular religions or be utilized to ensure the impossibility of conversion and the denial of the existence of any other beliefs. Refusal to abide by such requirements may result in the denial of a number of basic rights: from the registration of births, marriages and deaths; school and university entrance; obtaining passports, driving licences, bank accounts and property; access to health provisions; and so on. The restrictions amount to violations that destroy the very foundations of minority rights. Compelling people to identify religion or belief on official documents undermines the explicit assertion developed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee that no one can be compelled to reveal his thoughts or adherence to a religion or belief.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- Recognition and non-discriminatory registration may prove essential to the maintenance of religious identity. For example, teaching religion or belief requires the State to not criminalize or restrict the teaching or proselytizing of religion or belief and for any limitations to be strictly within the legal limitations outlined in article 18, paragraph 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Charitable activities, for example, require sufficient recognition to allow the group to legally gather and hold such events. Respect for the appointment and election of leaders requires non-interference on the part of the State and some recognition of the appointment or election system in terms of recognition of the relevant leader(s) or spokesperson(s) as a representative of that community.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities should be able to avail themselves of universal human rights provisions relating to equality of the law and equality before the law. In addition, they should be able to avail themselves of freedom of religion or belief rights and non-discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. As part of minority rights, religious minorities should also have access to further legislative protections aimed at ensuring the survival and continued development of their religious, cultural and ethnic characteristics. However, religious minorities are routinely denied access to those legislative provisions. Indeed, in some States it is imperative that existing constitutions and laws be reviewed and amended in order to abolish discriminatory provisions that have direct or indirect negative impact on religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert, in her previous report (A/67/293) highlighted the fact that institutional attention to the rights of minorities is the logical next step from legislation to implementation and positive action, and is essential for the protection and promotion of minority rights. Relevant governmental ministries, national human rights institutions and other national bodies as well as civil society groups should institutionalize expertise on minority issues and minority rights as a means of promoting action and minority rights implementation. For religious minorities this may include such components as specific sections, units or departments with responsibility in areas related to religious minorities or, at a minimum, the recruitment of appropriate experts and advisers from religious minority communities to act in advisory capacities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Despite those provisions, evidence from all regions indicates that religious minorities may face particular and persistent barriers to their participation in all aspects of civil, cultural, economic, social, political and public life. Long-standing patterns of discrimination and unequal treatment may gradually lead to religious minorities themselves internalizing their status as "others". This may lead to an intergenerational burden of exclusion, which is highly prevalent in many States and may lead to a lack of engagement of religious minorities with wider society and public life that is counter to the objective of positive integration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- The media are key in shaping societal perceptions, and their often negative role in relation to minorities, and particularly religious minorities, is frequently cited. Participation in the mainstream media for religious minorities is essential. Part of the rationale for facilitating access to the media for religious minorities is to allow them to communicate their views and counter the prejudices and stereotypes that wider society may hold. Another rationale is for religious minorities to contribute content and expertise to the media in order for others to learn about their communities. This knowledge supports social cohesion, counters political forces that wish to paint all religious minorities as lacking in loyalty or as extremists, and enriches the pluralism and diversity of societies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- The media should also be mindful of who they select to represent religious minority voices. Too often the most intolerant - and often also least representative - so-called leaders are picked by the media, and this may lead to perceptions that those views are mainstream among religious minorities. It seems that mainstream and more grounded voices within the religious community concerned are not sensationalist enough for some programmes. Giving media time to fiery rhetoric, especially subsequent to intercommunal tensions or events, can be irresponsible and undermine years of investment by moderate elements in the advancement of community understanding and cohesion. Journalistic ethics can play an important role here, as would a well-developed and independent media monitoring body.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- Minority representation in the media is one such key concern. The knowledge base of the public is often more limited concerning the culture, values and positions of minorities since they are commonly numerically smaller in number and are not the holders of power. It may be the case that outreach to minority communities is required to encourage participation, seek expertise and build trust, as well as to encourage those from minorities to take up opportunities provided by the media and to become active in producing and contributing to media content. In addition to such access to the mainstream media, minorities have the right to establish their own media and should be supported in efforts to do so.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- Special consideration should be given to facilitating the right of reply for religious minorities. This should be regardless of the principle of the independence of the media, and regardless of whether it concerns the private or public media. When religious minority characteristics, affiliations or values are represented stereotypically in the media, the right of reply would allow the religious minorities concerned to challenge singular stereotypes and open up the debate. This is necessary not only for minority rights, but also for respect, harmony and coexistence in society at large. It can also ease community relations and promote understanding at the national and international levels. It can prevent misunderstandings from escalating and from racist political groups from exploiting such stereotypes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- For States to be able to fulfil their obligations under international human rights provisions, a first step must be for them to consult directly with the religious minorities. The most obvious reason for consultation lies in their very diversity. One of the very rationales of minority rights is that of disparate impact. A State may treat all its population equally, but this can result in serious negative consequences for religious minorities whose distinctive characteristics may require specific provisions, for example with regard to worship requirements, matters of conscience, dress or diet. Without including religious minorities in questions and decisions that concern them, their issues cannot be taken into consideration. Consultation with minorities constitutes a core requirement of human rights standards, including the Declaration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- Consultation must not be restricted to religious or community leaders who may constitute a frequently male and older profile, but should wherever possible include women, youth and others. Detailed knowledge of religious and belief minorities and consultation with them is required to facilitate their engagement in public life. Understanding the worldviews of religious minorities, their motivations and communitarian ideals, facilitates their inclusion in leadership positions, the media, the rank of the State's educationalists and role models, political and other public figures, lawyers, human rights defenders and armed forces.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Protection of the security of religious minorities requires numerous positive actions on the part of States, particularly in situations of ongoing conflict or in which tensions are heightened or historic conflicts or grievances have occurred. Such actions include active engagement with religious minorities, full understanding of their situations and security concerns, the monitoring of non-State actors that might incite religious intolerance or violence, and the establishment of relevant oversight procedures and training programmes. In situations of conflicts involving religious minorities in which emergency laws, military courts or special security arrangements are in place, it is particularly necessary to ensure that the rights of religious minorities are protected in the context of those special security or emergency measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Information received from all regions regrettably reveals the far greater risks faced by religious minorities both in times of peace and during conflict and post-conflict contexts. Such persons may be individually targeted or face insecurity primarily during community activities. At the level of the group, violations include forced displacement and cultural cleansing of towns, villages and other territory from "impure" and "dehumanized" religious "others". In a world of increasing sectarianism, vigilance regarding the vulnerability of minorities within minorities and intra-religious or interdenominational tensions is also necessary.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities often find themselves in conditions of structural vulnerability which can lead to a vicious circle that perpetuates discrimination, hostility, insecurity and violence. Oversight procedures over the security forces throughout the jurisdiction are required, particularly in border areas or areas with a larger religious minority presence. Training programmes need to ensure that State actors from the local level upwards are aware of the particular risks of insecurity faced by minorities. An essential step is to put in place adequate legislation to address both acts of violence and incitement to religious and ethnic hatred and violence and to ensure that they are fully enforced in practice with appropriate penalties.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- In some States, religious minorities may be at significantly greater risk of arbitrary arrest and detention on the basis of their religion, their religious or social functions or their activities to claim their rights or peacefully protest. Several communications by Special Procedures to States have been based on allegations regarding arrest and sentencing (including death sentences) of members of religious minorities on the grounds of their religion or legitimate religious or human rights activities. Information provided alleged that in such cases trials often do not comply with international standards of fair trial and due process. Another context of insecurity is the situation of religious minorities during incarceration. Standards upholding the freedom of religion or belief rights of prisoners must be upheld, as noted by the Human Rights Committee (see CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.4, para. 8).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert is convinced of the usefulness of the role of minority rights protection and dedicated minority rights mechanisms in the prevention of conflict and the promotion of social stability. This is also enshrined in the Preamble of the Declaration, which reads "the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States". States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. Failure to do so often leads to repeated and more severe violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- The Minority Rights Group International has documented the impact of conflict and instability on religious minorities in Iraq, including Muslim minorities, Baha'is, Christians, Armenians, Chaldo-Assyrians, Faili Kurds, Palestinians, Jews, Sabean Mandaeans, Turkmen, Yazidis and others. The Group states that minorities in Iraq have continued to be targeted on the grounds of their religion or ethnicity since the United States-led invasion and fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. They have suffered from killings, kidnappings, torture, harassment, forced conversions and the destruction of homes and property. Women have been subjected to rape and forced to wear hijab. Persecution, human rights violations and targeted attacks have led to vast numbers of internally displaced persons and a mass exodus of some religious communities to neighbouring countries where they continue to experience challenges as religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 87
- Paragraph text
- Patterns of discrimination against religious minorities that have long become part of the fabric of societal norms need a particularly focused intervention by the State. The State has the duty to invest heavily in educating society about the need to acknowledge such patterns of discrimination and reform, thereby creating a new culture of human rights. This will not only benefit the minorities concerned but also strengthen society at large. The role of religious and political leaders in helping to build tolerant, inclusive societies and to initiate and support efforts and activities cannot be overstated. Such influential community and national figures should be at the forefront of dialogue and intercommunity cohesion efforts as well as publicly condemning incitement to hatred and violence. Too often such leaders remain silent or participate in or support anti-minority public discourse.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91a
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] All States should fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities with due and dedicated attention to the situation of religious minorities present in the country. In accordance with the Declaration, attention to religious minorities should include, but go beyond, freedom of religion or belief. A minority rights-based approach is required that is comprehensive in scope and that recognizes that religious minorities may require special attention and positive measures to ensure the full enjoyment of their rights to non-discrimination and equality in all aspects of society - civil, cultural, economic, political and social;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91b
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] The provisions of the Declaration should be translated by States into national legislation, and dedicated attention to religious minorities should be reflected in the national institutional frameworks for the protection of human rights, including line ministries and governmental departments, national human rights institutions and consultative bodies and mechanisms. Existing legislation should be reviewed to ensure that no provisions exist that are discriminatory or have a discriminatory impact, directly or indirectly, on persons belonging to religious minorities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91c
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] States must ensure that the national educational environment is welcoming and non-discriminatory for those belonging to religious minorities and that reasonable accommodation is provided for them to learn about their own religion, manifest their religion, participate in their religious holidays, and learn about the religions and beliefs of others. In conformity with the Declaration, States should, where appropriate, take measures to encourage the acquisition of knowledge about the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91d
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] States should undertake research and data-gathering exercises, including in the context of national census surveys, aimed at compiling detailed information on the demographic and socioeconomic situation of religious minorities in their country. Such data should be quantitative and qualitative in nature and include considerations of the situation of religious minorities relative to other members of society. It should have the objective of providing a comprehensive mapping of religious communities, their situations and the challenges affecting them, and it should be carried out in consultation with and the voluntary participation of minorities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91e
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] Fundamental to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities are meaningful consultation with, and the effective participation of, religious minorities in decisions that affect them. Positive measures to ensure consultation and participation at all levels of society are required. The inclusion of religious minorities in consultative and decision-making bodies helps to ensure that their views, issues and concerns are taken into account. Where religious minorities form the majority in a particular region or locality, cultural and/or political autonomy arrangements may be considered appropriate, with due consideration given to ensuring the rights of those who may form a minority in those localities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91f
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] The security situation of religious minorities in some States is cause for serious concern and requires the urgent attention of national Governments, regional intergovernmental human rights bodies and the United Nations. Acts of violence and widespread and systematic violations of human rights - sometimes by the State itself - threaten the very existence of religious minorities in some States or territories. States have the responsibility to protect human rights and security for all and to create conditions of peace and stability. They must act appropriately and rapidly to protect the rights and security of religious minorities under threat and prosecute anyone who commits, supports or incites violence against them;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91g
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] In multi-faith societies, efforts to build a climate of trust, understanding, acceptance and interfaith cooperation and exchange benefit the whole of society and are essential elements of good governance and measures to prevent grievances, tensions and conflict. The active engagement and leadership of religious, community and political actors is essential to such efforts and should be encouraged and supported, including through the establishment of formal and informal mechanisms for dialogue, exchanges of views and consideration of interfaith and intercommunity initiatives.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) identifies more than 6,000 languages spoken globally, most of which can be considered minority languages. For minorities, language is a central element and expression of their identity and of key importance in the preservation of group identity. Language is often particularly important to non-dominant communities seeking to maintain their distinct group and cultural identity, sometimes under conditions of marginalization, exclusion and discrimination. Today significant challenges are faced by minorities in all regions who speak minority languages and wish to maintain and use them in public and private life. Linguistic minorities are frequently also national, ethnic or religious minorities and consequently the challenges they face may be exacerbated by discrimination on the grounds of their ethnicity, religion or nationality.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Historical factors such as colonialism have had a huge global impact on languages, resulting in the marginalization of indigenous and minority languages and a rapid decline in their use. The introduction of colonial languages in Africa, Asia and the Americas initiated the marginalization of native and minority languages. Colonial languages were promoted in education, administration, political life and communications. Minority and indigenous languages were often seen as backwards, a barrier to colonial hegemony, or as slowing national development. It can also be argued that today globalization is having a direct and detrimental impact on minority languages and linguistic diversity, as global communications and marketplaces require global understanding.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- A common problem faced by minorities is that minority languages are frequently not used in national or local administration or as the language of instruction in schools. Consequently those belonging to minorities may face barriers to their full participation in public life and children from minorities may be disadvantaged in education from an early age. While accurate and detailed disaggregated data are scarce in most countries, evidence suggests that those belonging to linguistic minorities are at greater risk of experiencing poor socioeconomic indicators relative to majority populations, poorer educational access and worse education outcomes, and consequently lower incomes and disproportionate levels of poverty.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- For some who belong to linguistic minorities, including those who are not proficient in national languages and those who live in remote and rural localities where service provision and access are poor or difficult, the situation may be much worse and their economic, social and geographic mobility can be severely hampered. The situation of some minority women and girls, as well as older people, may also be particularly problematic. For example, women and girls may face challenges, including relatively low levels of education and poor access to language learning opportunities relative to men and boys, that further restrict their ability to interact and benefit from opportunities outside their communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Each State can decide how it implements minority and linguistic rights in practice, and it is reasonable to consider that greater attention and resources will be dedicated to commonly spoken, traditionally present or geographically concentrated minority languages than is given to relatively newly arrived linguistic groups with few or dispersed members. Nevertheless, reasonable accommodation of smaller and less commonly used minority languages is required. Indeed, it may be the case that some highly marginalized minority groups require greater attention and stronger measures to support their linguistic and cultural rights. Modalities to support small or dispersed linguistic communities can include informal language classes within or outside public education structures, provision of key public information documents in such language, and consultation with cultural and national associations representing linguistic minorities to assess and respond to specific needs.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Minorities benefit immensely from proficiency in the official State or national languages, which enables them to integrate fully into and contribute to all aspects of society and enjoy the opportunities available to all. Without such proficiency minorities face severe barriers to their full participation in cultural, economic, political and social life. They may, for example, face barriers in gaining access to labour markets on the basis of their language skills or in establishing business enterprises. In terms of social life, minorities may be restricted in their interactions outside their own communities and consequently in their possibility to engage fully in the social and cultural life of the nation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- Minority language rights and language use have frequently been a source of tensions, both between and within States. Proponents of linguistic rights have sometimes been associated with secessionist movements or have been seen as a threat to the integrity or unity of a State. It has been pointed out that it is often only when minorities assert their rights to identity and language that discrimination or persecution starts. Fulfilling the rights of minorities, including their language rights, is an essential means to prevent tensions from emerging and is a key element of good governance and conflict prevention. If not appropriately addressed at an early stage, such tensions have led to protracted conflicts and deepening of divisions between linguistic groups. Where conflicts have ceased or peacebuilding initiatives are under way, it is essential that all groups in society play a full role in discussions, negotiations and decision-making processes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph