RES/6/15 Forum on Minority Issues

Human Rights Council

Resolution 6/15. Forum on Minority Issues

The Human Rights Council,

Recalling the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and

Linguistic Minorities adopted by consensus by the General Assembly by its resolution

47/135 of 18 December 1992,

Taking into consideration article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights as well as other relevant existing international standards and national

legislation,

Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/24 of 3 March 1995,

Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/31 of 25 July 1995 and decision

1998/246 of 30 July 1998 on the mandate of the Working Group on Minorities of the

Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, which

calls upon the Council to decide at its sixth session on the most appropriate

mechanisms to continue the work of the former working groups of the Sub-

Commission,

Taking note of the final report of the Working Group on Minorities

(A/HRC/Sub.1/58/19), in particular the recommendations on the future of the

Working Group, which emphasizes the need for a mechanism to serve as forum for

dialogue and mutual understanding on minority rights issues,

Taking note also of the report of the Secretary-General on the rights of persons

belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (A/HRC/4/109), in

which he invites the Council to consider ways to maintain mechanisms offering

opportunities for the meaningful participation of civil society,

Commending the important work undertaken by the independent expert on

minority issues and recalling the complementarity of her mandate with that of the

former Working Group on Minorities provided for in Commission on Human Rights

resolution 2005/79 of 21 April 2005,

Emphasizing the need for reinforced efforts to meet the goal of the full

realization of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and

linguistic minorities,

Affirming that effective measures and the creation of favourable conditions for

the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,

religious and linguistic minorities, ensuring effective non-discrimination and equality

for all, as well as full and effective participation in matters affecting them, contribute

to the prevention and peaceful solution of human rights problems and situations

involving minorities,

Underlining the need to pay specific attention to the negative impact of racism,

racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the situation of persons

belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and drawing

attention to the relevant provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of

Action adopted in September 2001 by the World Conference against Racism, Racial

Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, including the provisions on

forms of multiple discrimination,

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue among all relevant stakeholders on

the promotion and protection 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, including the sharing of best practices such as for the promotion of mutual

understanding of minority issues, managing diversity by recognizing plural identities,

and promoting inclusive and stable societies as well as social cohesion therein,

Emphasizing also the importance of national processes aimed at promoting

and strengthening dialogue between all relevant stakeholders on issues relating to the

rights of persons belonging to national, or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities

with a view to ensuring the realization of their rights without discrimination and to

help build stable societies,

1. Decides to establish a forum on minority issues to provide a platform

for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to persons belonging to

national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, which shall provide thematic

contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues.1

The Forum shall identify and analyse best practices, challenges, opportunities and

initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons

Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities;

2. Also decides that the Forum shall be open to the participation of States,

United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes,

intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field

of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies,

academics and experts on minority issues and non-governmental organizations in

consultative status with the Economic and Social Council; the Forum shall also be

open to other non-governmental organizations whose aims and purposes are in

conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United

Nations, based on arrangements, including Economic and Social Council resolution

1996/31 of 25 July 1996, and practices observed by the Commission on Human

Rights, through an open and transparent accreditation procedure in accordance with

the Rules of Procedure of the Human Rights Council, which will provide for the

timely information on participation and consultations with States concerned;

3. Decides further that the Forum shall meet annually for two working

days allocated to thematic discussions;

4. Requests the President of the Human Rights Council to appoint for

each session, on the basis of regional rotation, and in consultation with regional

groups, a chairperson of the Forum among experts on minority issues, nominated by

members and observers of the Council; the chairperson, serving in his/her personal

capacity, shall be responsible for the preparation of a summary of the discussion of

the Forum, to be made available to all participants of the Forum;

1 Subject to review of the mandate of the independent expert, as foreseen in resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007.

5. Decides that the independent expert on minority issues shall guide the

work of the Forum and prepare its annual meetings, and invites him/her to include in

his/her report thematic recommendations of the Forum and recommendations for

future thematic subjects, for consideration by the Human Rights Council;

6. Expresses its expectation that the Forum will contribute to the efforts

of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to improve the

cooperation among United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies,

funds and programmes on activities related to the promotion and protection of the

rights of persons belonging to minorities, including at regional level;

7. Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all the

necessary support to facilitate, in a transparent manner, the convening of the Forum

and the participation of relevant stakeholders from every region in its meetings, giving

particular attention to ensuring broadest possible and equitable participation,

including, in particular, the representation of women;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Forum, within existing

resources of the United Nations, with all the services and facilities necessary to fulfill

its mandate;

9. Decides to review the work of the Forum after four years.

[Adopted without a vote] 21st meeting

28 September 2007

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