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The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 91
- Paragraph text
- Public proclamations regarding national identity, for example in the constitution, and key national symbols should be fully inclusive, and should not exclude segments of a country's population nor deny, explicitly or implicitly, the full diversity of the population.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- States should implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including measures to prohibit discrimination by both State and private actors. Legislation must provide for effective, transparent enforcement mechanisms which can be accessed easily by all.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- To denigrate a community's identity as inferior or stereotype it as violent, criminal or "foreign" is discriminatory, a violation of rights and may constitute incitement to racial or religious hatred. It impacts negatively on community members' sense of inclusion in the national identity and encourages prejudicial attitudes and even violent attacks on the community by members of the public. The slope is steep and slippery between statements of disrespect coming from national leaders and hate crimes committed by individuals who feel they have been given license.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- It has been argued that early warning systems need to combine the collection of disaggregated quantitative data with more in-depth qualitative analysis. Such a course of action would enable the identification of complex interactions between political, social and economic factors that help determine whether violent conflict will break out, and if so, when.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
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
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
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
Paragraph
The human rights situation of Roma worldwide, with a particular focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism 2015, para. 90
- Paragraph text
- States should implement fully the Declaration and other relevant regional and international human rights standards, including comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that prohibits all forms of discrimination, and identify State agencies tasked with monitoring and combating 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
- 2015
Paragraph
Reflections on the six-year tenure of the Special Rapporteur 2017, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur recalls that the various forms of discrimination, violence and atrocities are different manifestations of similar mind sets and are often rooted in fear, ignorance, feelings of insecurity or, simply, envy of the other. She regrets the disconnect between the psychological, social and legal studies in this field, and urges the United Nations to pay increased attention to better understanding the actual psychosocial motives behind prejudice, racism, bigotry and hatred so they can be better addressed and prevented.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 99
- Paragraph text
- Public proclamations regarding national identity, for example in the constitution, and key national symbols should be fully inclusive, and should not exclude segments of a country's population nor deny, explicitly or implicitly, the full diversity of the population.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- States should implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including measures to prohibit discrimination by both State and private actors. Legislation must provide for effective, transparent enforcement mechanisms which can be accessed easily by all.
- 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
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Equal access for all communities to employment in public services can become a highly contentious issue, especially in countries where such jobs form a large proportion of the available labour market. 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.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- To denigrate a community's identity as inferior or stereotype it as violent, criminal or "foreign" is discriminatory, a violation of rights and may constitute incitement to racial or religious hatred. It impacts negatively on community members' sense of inclusion in the national identity and encourages prejudicial attitudes and even violent attacks on the community by members of the public. The slope is steep and slippery between statements of disrespect coming from national leaders and hate crimes committed by individuals who feel they have been given licence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
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
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. 25
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert will seek to consult with Governments, religious communities and leaders, and other stakeholders to highlight the need for appropriate security for individuals and communities and to contribute the resources of her mandate to help in finding solutions to interreligious tensions and promote inter-faith dialogue. She will seek examples of positive practices from all regions that have the objective of enhancing security, mutual understanding, promoting dialogue, establishing cooperation and ensuring the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious groups.
- 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
- 2012
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- Predicting and preventing violence must not remain an academic exercise. Post-violence analysis has helped to develop indicators and improve the potential to raise alarms and trigger early warning mechanisms; however, analysis conducted after violence has begun means that the action taken is often too little and too late. The lessons of past atrocities must be put into practice when the warning signs are clear and, even when they are not, States must become more capable of responding to them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- Gross inequalities and persistent poverty are frequently elements in the complex social, economic and geopolitical equations which lead to conflict and violence. Discrimination is a cause and a consequence of inequality and poverty and, under certain circumstances, including where land and resources are scarce, results in communities made vulnerable to violence. Addressing inequality and promoting equitable societies are key conflict and violence prevention measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 90
- Paragraph text
- In 2008, Kenya established the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, following ethnically-based violence after the 2007 elections. The Commission is entrusted with facilitating and promoting a Kenyan society whose values are harmonious and non-discriminatory, with the aim of achieving peaceful coexistence and integration. The Commission conducts activities to combat discrimination and enhance tolerance and management of diversity, and advises the Government in the promotion of harmony and peaceful coexistence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 87
- Paragraph text
- Accountability and tackling impunity for violent crimes are essential to ensuring justice and post-violence reconciliation. Transitional justice requires that the truth about the past be investigated and told, the provision of compensation for material and immaterial losses, the return to societal stability and the restoration of full respect for human rights. Perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable as a means of rebuilding societies damaged and fractured by violence and as a deterrent to further violence. Justice and accountability may be achieved in various ways, which can include truth, justice and reconciliation processes; commissions of inquiry; judicial processes; and incorporation of traditional forms of resolution and reconciliation. Such mechanisms have demonstrated an ability to begin a process of healing the wounds inflicted on communities and societies in such cases as Rwanda, South Africa and Northern Ireland.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- The Sri Lanka experience contributed to the development of the Secretary-General's "Rights up front" initiative which seeks to ensure better organizational preparedness to meet the challenges of safeguarding human rights and protecting civilians in complex crises.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- If the Government manifestly demonstrates its refusal or inaction to stop the crimes, collective action should be urgently considered. Under the third pillar of the strategy for the implementation of the responsibility to protect, Member States have the responsibility "to take collective action, in a timely and decisive manner, through the Security Council, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including Chapter VII, on a case-by-case basis and in cooperation with relevant regional organizations as appropriate, should peaceful means be inadequate and national authorities are manifestly failing to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity" (see A/66/874-S/2012/578, para. 2). Such collective action may include sanctions, embargoes and restrictions on cooperation. Ultimately, the use of force can be authorized by the Security Council. In situations in which there is an imminent or ongoing killing of civilian populations, measures must be established to enable appropriate and rapid intervention.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- Civil society has a vital role to play in detecting the early signs of impending violence, alerting national and international bodies and taking local initiatives to counter it. Violence prevention efforts should not be left only to non-governmental organizations, however. Effective prevention benefits greatly from the full participation of diverse actors, including non-governmental organizations, human rights institutions, businesses, faith groups and community leaders, educational institutions and other stakeholders. Preparing the infrastructure for and promoting a culture of violence prevention necessarily involves many actors with different skills, powers and relationships.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- In diverse societies, particularly those in which violence or conflict have previously existed, holistic, inclusive and proactive approaches to law enforcement incorporate such positive practices into a law enforcement and protection strategies. This helps to avoid reactive responses to violence that are frequently inadequate and come too late. Risk assessment methodologies incorporating analysis of past violent events, employed by law enforcement bodies, can enable authorities and others to assess the extent to which certain communities may face the threat of violence and to rapidly respond.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- The creation of community or neighbourhood watch and early warning mechanisms that enable at-risk communities to identify threats and quickly contact law enforcement authorities is another measure that has been put in place, including in Nigeria where violence and intercommunal tensions have been present. Having local "eyes and ears" to report potential incidents offers valuable, community-based, early warning potential, although it remains reliant on a rapid response by law enforcement bodies to alerts if it is to be effective.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- The establishment of mechanisms and processes to raise and respond to alarms is essential to preventing and stopping violence. Ensuring appropriate community liaison promotes trust and establishes and maintains strong and efficient channels of communication between communities and law-enforcement bodies. Identifying the individuals, communities or locations, community leaders or high profile places of worship or congregations that are most at risk is an important step. Increasing a visible security presence in key locations, including places of worship or nearby identified at-risk communities, is a deterrent to violence. In remote locations where there is a low presence of authorities, it may be necessary to establish a security presence to protect local communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- Good and inclusive governance and political will are paramount. Governments have the primary responsibility to prevent violence and the greatest capacity to deal with issues that might lead to violence, including hate speech and gross inequalities. They can lead efforts that involve numerous governmental and public bodies, including law enforcement bodies that are multisectoral and involve the participation of many different actors. An independent and efficient judiciary is key to ensuring timely accountability and to strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- In view of the potentially important role of the special procedures in identifying well-grounded facts and signs of potential violence and mass atrocity crimes, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues recommends consideration of strengthened channels of communication and information exchange between special procedures and the General Assembly and the Security Council. Improved use of such procedures as Arria-formula meetings to report findings urgently and directly should be considered. In addition, further consideration should be given to measures to enable urgent engagement with all relevant regional and United Nations bodies and the Human Rights Council outside annual reporting schedules.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- According to the framework, triggering factors include: upcoming elections; a change of Government outside of an electoral or constitutionally sanctioned process; instances in which the military is deployed internally to act against civilians; commencement of armed hostilities; natural disasters; and increases in opposition capacity, which may be perceived as a threat and prompt pre-emptive action. The Special Rapporteur considers that these valuable indicators can also be applied effectively in situations in which violence may not constitute genocide. Indicators and early warning mechanisms must be employed in practice and lead to alarms being triggered and concrete action taken.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- States must fully investigate incidents of violence and, where business actors prove to be instigators or perpetrators, impose appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law, including the termination of contracts and criminal prosecution. Victims must be adequately and swiftly compensated. As stated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (A/HRC/17/32, para. 5), conflict-affected areas are commonly where the most egregious business-related human rights abuses take place.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (see General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex) states that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. The Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence represents an important step taken by the international community to assist States in implementing their obligations, and provides guidance on balancing freedom of expression, which is protected under article 19 of the Covenant, with article 20. As recommended in the Plan of Action, States should ensure intercultural dialogue and mechanisms and dialogues to foster intercultural and interreligious understanding and learning. States should also promote human rights education and sensitize law enforcement and security forces.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph